See machine tool technology at IMTS 2008

This year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show offers a variety of pavilions featuring the largest and latest displays of manufacturing equipment. The event will be held September 8-13 at McCormick Place, Chicago.

More than 1500 exhibitors will be on hand to show 15,000 new machine tools, controls, computers, software, components, systems, and processes to improve efficiency. Several fluid power companies will display their fluid power components and technologies, including items from those featured in our exhibitor list and product showcase on pages 28 and 29.

In addition to exhibitor pavilions, several seminars will be offered by industry experts. The IMTS 2008 Manufacturing Business and Technology Forum, “Where Technology and Business Connect,” brings together experts from the industry to provide useful and up-to-date technical information.

The event is aimed at helping attendees improve production and operations. Anyone involved in manufacturing can benefit from attending, including manufacturing equipment purchasers, engineers who identify equipment needs, plant superintendents who will set it up, operators who will use the equipment, executives, and more.

The Forum’s program will be presented Monday to Friday, September 8-12. The following organizations will offer sessions:

• ASPE — American Society for Precision Engineering is organizing papers on up to date research projects from the engineering development departments of the exhibiting machine tool companies. The organization will be offering intense short summaries of its normally half-day long tutorials.

• AMT — Association for Manufacturing Technology will present “Connectivity & Interoperability - Are you Connected?” AMT will be showcasing MTConnect this year, a communication protocol standard for passing data between devices, equipment, and higher level applications.

• CAR — Center for Automotive Research will offer sessions aimed at the changing demands of automotive body and powertrain manufacturing created by technology, safety, globalization, and fuel economy developments.

• NTMA — National Tooling & Machining Association will introduce advanced technologies, tools, and processes to the U.S. precision custom manufacturing industry.

• SME — Society of Manufacturing Engineers will offer sessions that focus on technologies, strategies, and tools to improve products and operations, including emerging technologies and trends in machining, grinding, and metal cutting fluids; lean manufacturing, cell design, and more.

• Tooling U will present a series of topics illustrating how modern training approaches can help address skills gaps by identifying funding resources, incorporating shop-floor-specific training strategies, and laying the groundwork for a Corporate University.

Free presentations will also be held in the Innovation Center in booth Booth D-4168, Lakeside Center (East building). Each day a different industry is showcased:

• September 8, Automotive Day

• September 9, Quality Day

• September 10, Aerospace/Aeronautics Day

• September 11, Power Generation/Green Day

• September 12, Medical Day

• September 13, Job Shop Day

Register on or before August 1 for exhibits only for $25; after August 1, exhibit registration is $50. Group registration is $15/person for groups of five or more. Access to Manufacturing Business and Technology Forum conferences and the exhibit floor is $600 on or before August 1 and $700 after August 1. Daily passes for access to all conferences on one day and to the exhibit floor all week are $400 on or before August 1 and $500 after August 1. Visit www.imts.com for registration information.