IMTS 2014: Highlights from the show floor

October 14, 2014

Gargantuan, mammoth, colossal, whopping… check your thesaurus for other synonyms, but there’s no other way of talking about the 30th edition of IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014 without talking about big.

With displays ranging from tables and a few signs to massive machines cutting titanium on the show floor, 2,035 companies exhibited their products and technologies.

The fourth largest show in IMTS’ history, 114,147 people from 112 countries crowded Chicago’s McCormick Place throughout six days, a 13.9% increase from 2012 that at times seemed to take up every square inch of the 1.28 million square feet of floor space.

From metal cutters to computer controllers, visualization software to advanced robotics, toolholders to measurement systems, if the equipment gets used in modern shops and plants, it was on display in Chicago.

Peter Eelman, vice president of exhibitions and communications, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, said “sold” signs popped up regularly at the show. “Customers came with buying intentions and a confidence that has not been seen in the manufacturing industry in many years.”

The show was far too large to show a complete list of the innovative technologies and advanced equipment on display, but the following pages offer a tiny sampling of highlights from IMTS.

Fagor Automation Corp. debuted a new series of CNC controllers, focused on bringing OEM quality levels down to tiered suppliers and job shops. Dominating Mitutoyo American Corp.’s nearby booth was the SV-C4500CNC Formtracer Extreme measurement system, a machine that measures force adjustment via software, eliminating the need for physical counter balance weights. www.fagorautomation.com/en; www.mitutoyo.com
Described by some show attendees as an iPad controller for advanced manufacturing, DMG MORI presented larger-than-life views of its new CELOS controls. The touchscreen-powered controls are configurable, giving machine operators only the key information they need, and like an iPad, users can add new functions by downloading apps to the controllers. For a demonstration of the controls, go to http://bit.ly/1rggX8a.
With a new version of its FeatureCAM software, Delcam ran several model demonstrations highlighting features such as automatic collision checking of the tool shank and toolholder, more efficient machining by allowing stock models to be used in conjunction with other geometry, and several improvements to boost turning times and efficiency. www.delcam.com
With a combination of tool displays and live cutting demonstrations, Iscar Metals Inc. showed off its latest precision metalworking tools. In the weeks leading up to IMTS, Iscar announced new parting inserts, drilling heads, end mills, milling heads, and inserts. www.iscar.com
Having one of the largest booths at the show, Fanuc Corp. displayed a wide range of robotics and controls. The M-2000iA 900 (capable of lifting up to 900kg) robot demonstrated power by lifting a car body off of a rack so two other robots could bolt in the engine. To see the robot in action, go to http://bit.ly/XMyYPv.
As opposed to 2012 and especially 2010, many machine tool producers said visitors to IMTS 2014 had their wallets open. After years of kicking tires, representatives from plants and shops were wheeling and dealing at the show, buying lots of new equipment. Aerospace supplier Heroux Devtek had already purchased one of Mitsui Seiki USA’s machines from the show. www.mitsuiseiki.com
One of the largest displays in the metrology section was Hexagon Metrology’s booth, which featured a 360° Smart Inline Monitoring System (SIMS) that quickly generated surface measurement reports on the body of a Kia Sorento sport utility vehicle. With up to four coordinated robots equipped with measurement devices, the system could eventually be fast enough for 100% inspection on high-speed body weld operations. www.hexagonmetrology.us
Positioned at the front of McCormick Place’s South Hall, where most large machining center companies had booths, Mazak Corp. exhibited a new range of controls and 5-axis, multi-tasking machines. Faster and more intuitive than older controls, the SmoothX systems handle programming and setup, metal removal operations, automation, and monitoring/data collection and transfer. www.mazakusa.com
Walter USA’s booth featured new slitting cutters, an expansion of its standard solid carbide deep-hole drill line, taps, new cutting materials, and counterboring and precision boring tools. Company representatives also talked about new ordering and delivery systems for tools. www.walter-tools.com/us