When it comes to automation, the answer to the question, “What’s next?” – in the form of predictive analytics – is part of the solution visitors can find at IMTS 2024, held Sept. 9-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The follow-up question – “Where can you find automation at IMTS?” – is better rephrased as “Where won’t you find automation?” Start with the Automation Sector, accelerated by SPS – smart production solutions. But it doesn’t end there: Automation solutions will be found in every aisle at IMTS 2024. Even conversations about hardware are now about hardware’s role in an automated, connected, and digital environment.
Visitors to IMTS 2024 will find a broad range of cutting-edge, smart, intelligent, and digital solutions. Most importantly, these solutions can be applied at every stage of production and are ready to implement now. In fact, solutions such as a collaborative robot (cobot) can arrive at your loading dock in the morning and be welding or loading parts by the afternoon.
Know What’s Next
To answer the “What’s next?” question in automation, here are a few previews from IMTS 2024 exhibitors:
Linear motion guide pioneer THK America (IMTS booth #236207) will show how its OMNIedge IoT system combines connected sensors and artificial intelligence to detect part failures before they occur. “We can improve machine operating rates, make maintenance more efficient, and reduce inventory management costs,” says John Dykas, marketing and events manager at THK.
A paradigm shift has occurred with cobots. “The breakthrough occurred because of a hyper focus on simplifying integration and improving the cobot operator experience,” says Will Healy, global industry leader – welding, Universal Robotics (IMTS booth #236131). “At IMTS 2024, conversations will center around how artificial intelligence, 3D vision systems, and cobots combine to pick a wider variety of parts with an unprecedented reliability.”
One-stop shopping. “You simply can’t talk about the advances in automation and machining without talking about them together, and IMTS is where everyone comes together,” says Scott Harms, president of MetalQuest Unlimited and a longtime IMTS visitor. “For example, we committed to the machining and automation strategy that we were going to use to fulfill a new contract in a conference room above the Okuma booth, where our FANUC representative was also present.” Okuma will be in IMTS booth #338500 and FANUC will occupy IMTS booth #338919.
New Automation Education Events
For the first time at IMTS, automation is the theme of the ELEVATE: Job Shops program, titled “The Shop of Our Future,” and will be presented by AMT on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 1-4 p.m. Job shop professionals will experience firsthand practical applications and discuss the future of digital transformation with automation experts representing multiple exhibitors to gain valuable insights and actionable tips for implementation. Topics encompass automation today, machine-to-machine learning, an automation panel in partnership with the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA), and a discussion on business success by the "Shop Rescue" team. An ELEVATE: Job Shops reception will also be held on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., providing additional networking opportunities.
In addition to the job shops programs and automation-related conference, educational presentations by industry experts and technologists will take place on the show floor on the new SPS Stage (IMTS booth #236000). These sessions are open to all IMTS attendees, do not require advance registration, and offer ample time for questions.
New Automation Partner
AMT has entered into a partnership with European trade show producer Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, which produces SPS – smart production solutions. This collaboration will debut at IMTS 2024 with the Automation Sector, accelerated by SPS – smart production solutions, where it will host 108 exhibitors on 75,000 square feet of space.
Looking Around the Corner
Another result of AMT’s collaboration with SPS – smart production solutions is SPS Atlanta, to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center on Sept. 16-18, 2025. SPS Atlanta will showcase a multitude of practical solutions, offer a spectrum of digital innovations (learn more in this video), and provide a vision of a fully digitalized industrial future.
To read the rest of the Automation & Robotics Issue of MT Magazine, click here.
