Big Ideas Fueling Great Expectations for IMTS 2016

The return of the International Manufacturing Technology Show in September 2016 is fueling hopes for a rebound in activity for precision parts design and production— but the biennial event still will fulfill its traditional role of presenting new manufacturing concepts and designs to an in-the-know crowd of designers and manufacturers.

Robert Brooks

May 31, 2016

2 min read

Many thousands of attendees are expected for the sixday event that begins September 12 in Chicago New product designs and new process technologies is what they will be expecting — Many thousands of attendees are expected for the six-day event that begins September 12 in Chicago. New product designs and new process technologies is what they will be expecting.

The return of the International Manufacturing Technology Show in September 2016 is fueling hopes for a rebound in activity for precision parts design and production — but the biennial event still will fulfill its traditional role of presenting new manufacturing concepts and designs to an in-the-know crowd of designers and manufacturers.

New manufacturing concepts are the traditional draw for IMTS attendees, and the 2016 event seems likely to answer many manufacturers’ questions on the increasingly complex details of process control, production data management, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT.)

The manufacturing technology supplier driving those themes most consistently since the last staging of IMTS has been Mazak Corporation. The machine tool and production technology developer promises to “raise the manufacturing technology bar at IMTS,” indicating it will demonstrate new, high-level developments in full digital factory integration, smart technology and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity – along with new machining and automation systems.

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Mazak’s Smooth Technology platform is a production process control concept for manufacturing cells performing complex sequences and exchanging data on product design, machine performance, and system analytics, consistent with the emerging vision for the Industrial Internet of Things.

Mazak’s Smooth Technology control platform incorporates advanced manufacturing cells and systems for part manufacturing processes that incorporate “smart” machines, “big data” capability, sophisticated analytics, and the IIoT access. At IMTS, Mazak indicated it would feature new enhancements that increase the computing power and intelligence of its SmartBox digital integration launch platform.

It also will demonstrate the user-friendly programming capabilities and processing speed of its Mazatrol SmoothX and Mazatrol SmoothG CNC controls. These controls are part of the Smooth Technology platform, which has transformed the way Mazak equipment performs, especially in terms of five-axis and complex contouring operations.

Mazak will also show over 20 highly advanced manufacturing cells and systems, including its latest developments in multi-tasking and five-axis machine tools enhanced with single-setup, Done in One^® part-processing — a necessary capability for “smart factor” operation.

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About the Author

Robert Brooks

Content Director

Robert Brooks has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries. His work has covered a wide range of topics, including process technology, resource development, material selection, product design, workforce development, and industrial market strategies, among others. Currently, he specializes in subjects related to metal component and product design, development, and manufacturing — including castings, forgings, machined parts, and fabrications.

Brooks is a graduate of Kenyon College (B.A. English, Political Science) and Emory University (M.A. English.)