IMTS has provided insights over the years into the status of additive manufacturing (AM) within the traditional manufacturing realm. The biennial pilgrimage to Chicago is a barometer of AM’s acceptance in established production-centric operations. Now that IMTS 2022 has come to a close, it’s time to take two barometric readings to understand where AM is and what lies ahead in the near term.
The first measure is quantitative, which shows excellent progress. By the numbers, AM’s role at IMTS has expanded over the decades. While the numbers are a good measure, they ignore the more important, qualitative measure: What’s in the hearts and minds of manufacturing professionals who walked the show floor.
In the early days, AM proved to be a novelty that was easy to discount as a legitimate manufacturing tool. In essence, it served as an entertaining sideshow. Attendees would gather around AM booths to observe—often overflowing the booth and extending into the aisles—but the vast majority would depart with the same mindset.
In the early 2010s, things started to change. AM vendors exhibited in the show’s Emerging Tech Center. This gave it a label, one that encouraged attendees to investigate for future potential. Interest was boosted by President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address that cited 3D printing, coupled with a tidal wave of news proclaiming the technology was poised to disrupt the manufacturing industry.
The next phase was the establishment of an AM Pavilion at IMTS, which attracted about 50 exhibitors in 2018. This year, the pavilion was home to 112 AM companies. IMTS 2022 also featured a full-day conference on AM for industrial part production.
Over the years, AM has progressed from a curiosity relegated to prototyping to a generally accepted process for tooling and manufacturing support. To gauge the acceptance for production applications, we must get inside the hearts and heads of those vital in making it a reality.
Does AM have the support of manufacturing professionals that will help accelerate adoption? Or is there an undercurrent of doubt and resistance that creates a barrier? Did IMTS change any minds? Excitement, enthusiasm, inquisitiveness, and confidence from those who make manufacturing work will propel AM forward. So, the critical question is what attendees think and believe after IMTS. But how can we access the real perceptions? The participation numbers don’t provide the answer. And you won’t find the answer in the post-show recap articles, blog posts, or videos. These provide insights within the AM industry and highlight intriguing applications, but they don’t take measure of the attitudes of the masses.
I can’t provide the answer because my sample size is too small, and my peer group is comprised of AM advocates. However, I do suspect that there are sizable pockets of resistance.
The only remaining option is honest conversations with manufacturing peers. But because people are notorious for having hidden agendas or saying things counter to their beliefs, it is imperative to dig deep and read between the lines.
Even more important, is to check your company’s AM barometer—both top-down and bottom-up support are necessary for success. Resistance from any department at any level can hinder AM’s progress. Status quo is a force to be reckoned with, but information from IMTS could counter the obstacle.
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