Taking the Pulse of IMTS 2022: Relationships, Next Generation and Machining

Fresh from the show flow of IMTS, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the task of breaking it all down — what you saw, what you learned and what you experienced. Nevertheless, MoldMaking Technology took on the challenge, packing it all into less than five days … don’t even get me started on the record number of steps we took in the process.

What I really want to discuss are the trends I noticed or heard while talking to exhibitors and walking the floor. How did the technologies or services that were highlighted — which often speak louder than words — reflect those trends? Because while this show is partial to general metalworking, there were still moldmakers, or companies pertinent to moldmakers, present. Therefore, what they see and hear, the manufacturing industry as a whole also sees and hears.

1. A Focus on Machining

I don’t think anyone is surprised to hear me say this was a key theme of this year’s show (Christina even discusses it in her own event review, coming soon). With voiced concerns over finding workers to fill key positions and the transition to an increasingly digital world, Industry 4.0 is considered to be paramount for ultimate productivity and efficiency, targeting things like reduced machine downtime, cycle time, eliminating the number of setups needed and others.

Machining was, of course, central to this theme, and IMTS was not lacking. At the show I was introduced to technologies like Hardinge’s Hauser 2,000, a newly debuted jig grinder for mold and die that enables a 0.01 Ra finish, an ideal feature for some of its customers who use it for lens molds. Another company, Gruppo Parpas, was highlighting its AERO line of medium- to large-size gantry machines. Of particular note was its automatic head changing system or automatic spindle cartridge change, which enhances the system’s flexibility and suitability for complex machining in moldmaking. Moreover, the AERO line boasts a patent-pending system that constantly moves air through the machine to control expansion, contraction and distortion.

Other cool/interesting technologies in this area include Cheto’s seven-axis gundrilling machine offerings — with setup elimination and a versatile table that can rotate or move back and forth for any milling and drilling purposes — GF Machining’s Mill E 500 U five-axis milling machine, and the Laser S 1000 U for laser texturing for consistently surfaced parts and Jingdiao North America’s GRA 200 five-axis machining center designed to machine complex, tight-tolerance parts with a mirror finish, emphasized by some of the molds and mold inserts displayed (below).

Companies like United Grinding, GF Machining Solutions and Zeiss/Capture 3D were also presenting digital service packages for a more streamlined digital workflow (capabilities to give real-time machine monitoring and feedback, the ability for company representatives to problem-solve with customers right at their machine) or comprehensive software suite packages.

Suffice to say this is a very small representation of what was available at IMTS.

2. Proven technologies versus new technologies

MMT came to this show learning that a lot of companies didn’t come here to debut new product necessarily (though some did), but rather to emphasize the things customers already knew well. There were several reasons behind this, least of all having four years between this IMTS and the last, as well as persisting supply chain challenges. While business is booming — “we’re very busy” was a common assertion — the supply chain has continued to putt a halt on a lot of things. As a result, a few companies felt bringing a machine to highlight at their IMTS booth would mean they’d be promising deliveries they probably couldn’t make, at least until the economy eases up.

The pandemic was also a common topic. Without the ability to truly display and discuss their wares in person with customers, many companies chose to display those technologies and services that they most likely released in 2020 and 2021. IMTS 2022, then, became the test bed or reinforcing ground for several of these exhibitors.

3. Relationships

Exhibitors and attendees were at IMTS not only because of the technologies and services being shown off. They came to build — or continue building — their relationships with one another. I believe this was key for a lot of the exhibitors, whether they brought big machines or not. After all, you can’t sell something unless you have complete trust in the other person/company (wise words coming from Eden Tool’s Dave Tomic), and thus, complete trust in their technologies.

And it wasn’t only relationship building with customers … it was relationship building between exhibitors as well. Some booths like GROB Systems and YG-1 were shared, the collaboration incorporating each company’s strengths for a highly productive booth system.

4. Next generation

You couldn’t go a day without seeing the next generation wandering the McCormick convention center beside you. IMTS is known for its Smartforce Student Summit, which is poised to inspire the nation’s youth with the wide-ranging manufacturing careers that are available to them. Companies present in this section included Capture 3D, Autodesk, Universal Robots, NIMS, Fanuc, NASA and Mastercam, just to name a few. There were even a few colleges there, promoting clubs or affiliations offered on their campuses to interested students related to engineering or robotics. And while there were a lot of cool things to see, I think the one that got the most attention (I hear the groans from those who attended IMTS already) was the Boston Dynamics agile mobile robot dogs, and their (slightly terrifying) versatility.

The next generation was also a hot topic of discussion during Andrew Crowe’s presentation, “A new American manufacturing renaissance – Using tech culture and a rebrand to redefine the way manufacturers recruit and retain talent.” Will Healy III, marketing manager Americas at Balluff Worldwide, Patrick O'Rahilly, founder/CEO at FactoryFix, Erica Swinney Staley, executive director at Manufacturing Renaissance/Young Manufacturers Association and Meaghan Ziemba, CEO at Mavens of Manufacturing were the panelists for this event.

Can’t hire enough people for the jobs we already have now? Rebrand and resell was the motto. A few takeaways included:

• Producing a creative space to move THROUGH the job, and eventually become future leaders. How do you help the employees with the right skills maintain their position at your company? Company culture!
• Raising awareness that manufacturing isn’t just a job — it’s a career.
• Creating more diverse communities so they can see themselves in those roles. Representation matters!
• Having a digital presence. It’s the digital age! Younger generation wants to see your company, your people and what it looks like to work at your company. If you don’t even have a LinkedIn profile, it feels fake!
• Reach-out: Open your doors, create community recognition, build ecosystems.
• When hiring, reach out to applicants within 48 hours. Treat them as you would a hot sales prospect… you’d be on the latter in an instant, so why treat a potential new hire any differently?

In short: It’s just a matter of changing your perspective! Like everything else, hiring the next generation is an investment — and more often than not, it pays off.

Overall, as my first IMTS, it was everything I expected — the sheer size of the event, the number of people that attended and the presence of machines, cool displays and companies ready to attend to clients.

In addition to everything above I was honored to attend a moldmaking happy hour, a lovely dinner put on at the Field Museum courtesy of Lynn Gorman and Marie Pompili at Gorman Pompili Communications, sat in on a fun conversation between Christina and James Soto in the IMTS Creators Lounge (above), made new connections with familiar companies and more. And most importantly, I learned a lot. Off to the next show!