October 2012
By Bill Lydon, Editor
My discussions with users at the IANA and IMTS shows make it clear that industrial automation is imperative to increase productivity, quality, and competitiveness in world markets. The array of technologies displayed and ideas shared provided attendees with numerous ways to make their employers’ more competitive.
IANA exhibitors showcased a wide range of industrial automation and included Industry-specific conferences, and educational workshops. As an engineer I have attended the IMTS show for years and in the past automation products were always spread throughout the halls at McCormick Place. The addition of IANA provided a focused area for automation and attracted more companies to display their solutions. Most automation users and vendors I talked with were pleased with IANA and said they plan to attend again. Technology was pervasive at the show, illustrating the holistic integration from sensor to enterprise to achieve competitive manufacturing.
Automation solutions were demonstrated that enable users to increase profits, improve quality, and reduce risks. IANA exhibitors showcased all areas of industrial automation providing operating examples and insights into integration. Attendees had the opportunity to explore solutions and meet with automation experts to discuss their applications and challenges.
During the show, AMT and Deutsche Messe announced that they have renewed their strategic partnership for the 2014 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) to be held on September 8–13, 2014 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. In a joint press conference, Wolfgang Pech, Senior Vice President at Deutsche Messe AG, commented, “We are very pleased to maintain this successful partnership with IMTS.” “Our inaugural event this year sold out of exhibitor space. In fact, we have 30% more exhibition area than our original commitment, which illustrates the strong demand in North America for a comprehensive industrial automation event.” The IANA space will be expanded in 2014.
Over the course of a year, I talk with a large number of users. In the last couple of years people have been commenting that it would be great to have a multivendor tradeshow rather than all the vendor events which they understand are narrowly focused on a single vendor. No single vendor has the corner on innovation so it is important for users to leverage solutions from vendors that can make them competitive. IMTS provides users and machine builders with an opportunity to see and compare offerings from multiple vendors in one trip.
Automation is an imperative to compete in world markets and the IMTS along with focused areas including IANA, Abrasive Machining/Sawing/Finishing, Controls & CAD-CAM, EDM, Gear Generation, Machine Components/Cleaning/Environmental, and Metal Cutting provide a holistic view of manufacturing technologies and innovations. Manufacturers benefit since they can bring a team of their people that need to collaborate, enabling them to learn and find better solutions to make manufacturing more productive for their employer.