The expectations and excitement were sky high for this year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, which returned to an in-person format for the first time since 2018. But could IMTS 2022 possibly live up to all the hype?
The numbers speak for themselves: 86,307 registrants—including 11,715 students—1,816 exhibitors, and 1,603 booths spread throughout nine pavilions covering more than 1.21-million-sq-ft of floor space. By any metric, the show was an overwhelming success. But more important than the volume of participants and cavalcade of new products, was the industry coming together again en masse at McCormick Place and all the auxiliary venues throughout the week.
“While the excitement and electricity were clearly evident in every aisle of the show, what was most gratifying for the industry and the country was the scope of commerce taking place as visitors sought out, and found, key technologies and productivity solutions to move their businesses forward,” declared Douglas Woods, president of AMT.
For SME, IMTS provided a great opportunity to connect and engage with showgoers and industry leaders. “We were able to convey and reinforce our mission and vision to thousands of attendees,” noted Bob Willig, SME’s executive director and CEO. “The level of active engagement between exhibitors and attendees on the show floor was high; it was obvious that attendees highly value the face-to-face aspect of in-person events.”
Among the highlights of SME’s multi-pronged presence, Willig cited the engagement of the SME Membership and SME Education Foundation teams, as well as the hundreds of students that visited SME’s booth at the Smartforce Student Summit. SME also hosted 35 well-attended presentations at the Smart Manufacturing Experience theatre, and Tooling U-SME reached thousands with its advanced competency-based learning and development solutions at its booth and live demonstrations at SME’s VR Technology Hub.
SME aims to build on the momentum with FABTECH 2022, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event (Nov. 8-10 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta). This year’s show will include more than 1,200 exhibitors, 300 new products and technologies, and 150 education sessions, as well as a robust lineup of speakers, leadership panels, and special events addressing key industry issues, emerging trends, and the latest advancements. The October issue of Manufacturing Engineering will provide a detailed preview of FABTECH 2022, including dozens of new products.
In this issue, we take an in-depth look at the evolving auto industry as OEMs and suppliers grapple with the transition to electrified vehicles. Other feature stories include analysis of the latest workholding technologies, selecting the best milling systems for the job, and integrated CAD/CAM and advanced software tools.
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