IMTS 2018 Attracts Buyers and Sellers from Around the World

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2018 is the largest of its kind in North America. Held every two years, this year’s show is the 32^nd edition and will be held at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, occupying 1,370,256 net square feet of exhibit space. The 2016 event featured the highest number of exhibiting companies ever—2,407—and attracted the third largest number of buyers and sellers registrations, 115,612, from more than 117 countries, with comparable numbers expected for this year’s event.

Machine capabilities, prices and services, curated by elite builders from around the world, are organized into 10 pavilions that include:

Abrasive Machining/Sawing/Finishing in North Building, Level 3
Additive Manufacturing in West Building, Level 3
Controls and CAD/CAM in East Building, Level 2 and 3
EDM in East Building, Level 3
Fabricating and Lasers in North Building, Level 3
Gear Generation in North Building, Level 3
Machine Components/Cleaning/Environmental in East Building, Level 2
Metalcutting in South Building, Level 3
Quality Assurance in East Building, Level 3
Tooling and Workholding Systems in West Building, Level 3.

The booth numbering system has also been updated this year to reflect building number and floor level. This year, a six-digit number is being used to improve visitor navigation, with the first digit representing the building, the second digit represents the level and the last four digits are unique booth numbers. These booths will feature more than 15,000 new machine tools, controls, computers, software, components, systems and processes that will provide valuable ideas and insights for manufacturing industry professionals attending not only to look, but to buy.

Conference

There are also more than 70 conference sessions presented by subject matter experts from within the IMTS exhibitor community. Designed as a four-day technical deep dive, offering both a four-day and one-day pass, a range of issues will be covered that fall into the main categories of manufacturing process innovations, alternative/additive manufacturing, plant operations, quality/inspection/metrology and systems integration/Industry 4.0/IIoT.

Complementing the 10 pavilions on display at IMTS are four co-located shows: Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives (IAMD) USA, Surface Technology USA, ComVac USA and Industrial Supply USA. There will also be a Smartforce Student Summit program encouraging career consideration in the manufacturing technology industry as well as attractions featured in AMT’s Emerging Technology Center, Today’s Technology Center, MMS Top Shops, and the AMT Experience. Webinars and a podcast will also be held throughout the week.

Digital Tools

Along with IMTS.com’s coverage of show details and updated information, prospective attendees can subscribe to IMTS Insider for updates as well as information on business solutions, manufacturing technology advances, marketing and sales tips, professional development, and industry events.

The MyShow Planner is a free, web-based app that combines planning and logistics into one easy-to-use tool. Accessed through mobile device, laptop or desk computer, it allows attendees to search exhibitors, share the planner with colleagues, personalize a calendar and post pictures.

Attendees can register online at imts.com/show/reg.html. On-site registration is available in the East Building (7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.), West Building (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and North and South Buildings (8 a.m.-6 p.m.).

IMTS Quick Facts

When: September 10-15, 2018

Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois

Sponsor: AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology

Attendee Show Hours:

East Building, Level 2 and West Building, Level 3 Annex: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

East Building, Level 3 and West Building, Level 3: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

North Building, Level 3 and South Building, Level 3: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.