PMTS 2023: Discovering Precision Machining Technology Under One Roof

The 2021 edition of the Precision Machining Technology Show (PMTS) was unique in that it was the first in-person trade show our industry hosted after the onset of COVID-19. Like others, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would people show up? Would exhibitors be happy? Would we all remember how to “trade-show” in person?

The answers to those questions are “yes, yes and yes.” I could feel an overall positive vibe while walking the show hall. Shop owners and managers had been itching to get out to see new technology, and exhibitors were more than happy to present it to them. It was great to reconnect with old industry friends and make new connections at the show, too. I offer thoughts about that show at gbm.media/pmts-1021.

Fast forward to PMTS 2023, the show’s 12th edition, which is unique in that it is shaping up to be its biggest in its history in terms of number of exhibitors.

“Like Production Machining, PMTS is a vehicle for discovery,” notes Allison Miller, the show’s chief events officer. “That is, discovery of equipment, technology, strategies and ideas that can make your precision machining business more efficient and profitable. At PMTS, in just a single location, you’ll find more than 300 exhibitors displaying the machinery, tools, materials and software you’re looking for to help boost your global competitiveness.”

I agree.

Founded in 2001, the biennial PMTS reconvenes this April 18-20 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland, Ohio, to celebrate the people and technology that serve as the foundation of our precision machining industry. It is the only trade show that focuses exclusively on the challenges and opportunities for precision, high-volume machine shops.

Visit pmts.com for the latest show information.

No one knows better than you the challenges you face, such as the ongoing skilled labor shortage, supply chain issues, the need to automate as many processes as possible and more. Therein lies the value of the educational, networking and technical discoveries waiting for you at the show — all to help you better meet those and other challenges. And, you can do that while perhaps unexpectedly finding solutions which can open other production bottlenecks on your shop floor.

This issue of Production Machining offers glimpses at a handful of new products and services that will be presented at the show. That’s one way to start planning your visit. Another is to use the PMTS 2023 app which is available for iOS and Android devices. The app enables you to search exhibitors, floor plans and free show floor educational lineups; build your own personalized event agenda; connect with other attendees and set up appointments; and get the most up-to-date event information. Find the app by searching “PMTS 2023” in the iTunes or Google Play app stores.

Educational Offerings

Of course, the big draw at PMTS is the ability to check out equipment in person. As part of that, the show offers in-booth demonstrations offered by a variety of exhibitors in their booths. This is a hallmark of PMTS. The demonstrations enable you to see machines and equipment in action and ask questions of the presenter and other available experts. Exhibitors offering in-booth demos for this show include Absolute Machine Tools, Haas Factory Outlet, Marubeni Citizen-Cincom Inc., Mazak Corp., Tajmac-USA and others.

In addition, don’t forget about other show attractions such as Tech Talks. These 10 interactive, classroom-style presentations held in a dedicated area on the show floor are intimate and limited in size. They are led by industry experts and leading equipment suppliers and offer opportunities for deeper learning about specific products and technology. This show’s sessions cover topics such as cutting tool considerations for Swiss-types, triple-turret machining technology, machine monitoring, part inspection, barstock quality’s affect on machining precision, what a shopfloor “digital transformation” looks like and more.

In fact, I am moderating a Tech Talk session on Wednesday, April 19 at 1:00 pm. As part of this, Jayme Rahz, CEO of Midway Swiss Turn, describes the small Ohio shop’s efforts to achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), which will soon be required for any manufacturer hoping to win or continue work with the U.S. Department of Defense. The roundtable discussion also includes representatives from Vestige Digital Investigations and northeastern Ohio’s Magnet MEP, which have assisted the shop along the path to CMMC.

Build in some “strolling” time, as you never know what new product or technology you might encounter walking the aisles at PMTS.

The co-located Parts Cleaning Conference is offered on Wednesday, too. This day-long conference, which debuted in 2010, enables you to learn about the latest in parts cleaning technology, which is important as specifications and environmental limitations continue to become stricter. Providing guidance and training to understand the recognized sets of standards for industrial cleaning, the conference showcases industry experts who present educational sessions on the latest and most pressing cleaning topics affecting manufacturing facilities today.

Production Machining Senior Editor Lori Beckman again co-chairs the conference with Dr. Darren Williams, a professor at Sam Houston State University who has been involved with the conference for many years and is a long-standing member of the cleaning industry. Together, they have worked to curate a quality program covering topics such as:

• New developments in technical cleanliness inspections;
• Meeting demands for improved technical cleanliness requirements using elemental analysis;
• Efficient and validated cleaning for the medical industry;
• Modified alcohols as an alternative to traditional solvents and aqueous cleaning;
• Standard solutions for high purity requirements;
• Precision cleaning without hazardous solvents;
• Current research to replace halogenated solvents; and
• Evaluating the behavior of cutting oils in cleaning solutions.

Registration for the Parts Cleaning conference includes access to all of the educational sessions such as those mentioned above as well as a networking breakfast, lunch and evening cocktail reception, and entry into PMTS. You can also receive a group discount when you register three or more team members from the same company.

Get to Know the PMPA

PMTS also offers the opportunity to mingle with our own industry association, the PMPA, and its experts who make it one of the most respected associations in manufacturing. This year, the PMPA is celebrating its 90th anniversary and, before the show starts on Tuesday, April 18, it will host free educational sessions as part of its National Technical Conference.

The conference includes technical sessions on a variety of topics, and show attendees who are not PMPA members can attend any of the sessions held on Tuesday morning at no cost. (See the full schedule here.) Led by those at the PMPA and other industry experts, these popular sessions offer a glimpse at what PMPA membership has to offer.

In addition, the PMPA Educational Foundation invites all students in grades 8-12 to a dedicated, one-day program to explore a career path in industrial manufacturing on Thursday, April 20. The PMPA will introduce young people to industry professionals, show them the latest technology displayed on the PMTS exhibit hall floor and provide an up-close view of the machines and materials they could work with in a successful, rewarding career in manufacturing. (Email info@pmpafoundation.org to register or learn more.)

Finally, the show offers various outlets for networking with industry peers. For example, it’d be great to meet and talk at the two PMTS happy hours held at the Connection Zone in the back of Hall B on Tuesday, April 18 and Wednesday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m. I plan to be there, so please stop by and let’s chat.