October 2010 Feature Article

William Lawson Wins T&P/MAN's IPad Giveaway at the 2010 International Manufacturing Technology Show

IMTS Organizers Also Smiling as Show Results Exceed Exhibitor Expectations

There were plenty of smiles on the faces of the 82,411 attendees at the IMTS in Chicago, but none were any wider than the one sported by William Lawson. The McHenry, Illinois resident was the big winner of T&P/MAN's  IPad Giveaway. Lawson is a value stream buyer for TC Industries, Inc., which provides commercial heat treatment services and custom manufacturing of cutting edges and ground engaging tools for OEM manufacturers in the US, Canada and Europe. When informed he won the prize, Lawson responded, "I've got to say, that's pretty awesome".

William Lawson - Winner of T&P/MAN's IPad Giveaway at IMTS

"Awesome" would be an appropriate summary for the entire show. Over the week, T&P editors received unanimously positive feedback during our conversations with representatives from many of the 1,728 companies in attendance. "We are ecstatic that IMTS 2010 met and, in many cases, exceeded our exhibitors’ and visitors’ expectations,” stated IMTS Vice President – Exhibitions and Communications Peter Eelman. “The show was lively and exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the quantity and quality of attendees. Manufacturing professionals were searching for confirmation that manufacturing in the United States is not dying or dead and, in fact, found that it is robust, poised for growth, and clearly understand that investing in the latest technology is the key to being competitive.”

“This show had a remarkable display of new and emerging technologies that will be the catalyst for the revitalization of manufacturing,” said Daniel Janka, President of MAG and Chairman of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. “Our company’s booth traffic met our expectations, and I have heard from many of our exhibitors and visitors that they are leaving IMTS 2010 more optimistic than when they arrived.”

“Sold” signs on machines could be seen throughout the show. Clearfield, Utah-based ATK Aerospace Systems made a major investment in two automated fiber placement systems which will be used to produce wings and nacelles for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. “The performance and cost of the MAG systems provided ATK with the confidence to move ahead on this project,” according to Christopher Walden, ATK Aerospace Systems Program Manager, Military Programs.

An IMTS first-time exhibitor, Huntersville, N.C.-based Micro Waterjet came to IMTS to showcase its new technology. Executive Vice President Walter Siegenthaler said, “IMTS is the place we chose to introduce a waterjet cutting technology with such a high accuracy level that no one in the industry can compete with us. We created a buzz about the Microwaterjet machine, are going home with a large number of strong leads and orders pending. We also know we need to be here in the future and will have even more to show in 2012.”

Seeing the end result of manufacturing technology was more prominent than ever during the 2010 show. More than ever before, exhibitors featured parts and products made by their equipment and products. Two exciting end products featured by GIE Media were the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and Tesla Roadster. Lockheed Martin brought the full-scale model of the F-35 to the show floor where visitors could learn about the plane’s construction and the manufacturing technology behind it. The Tesla Roadster is a two-seater that goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and proves that electric cars can be performance cars.

Another exciting new addition to IMTS 2010 was the Manufacturing Museum. Visitors to the museum were treated to a spectacular retrospective of manufacturing technology. The display included a self-guided tour of machinery and artifacts from different points in the history of industrial development that were on loan from the American Precision Museum, and a "social media encounter" in which visitors video-recorded their experiences and thoughts about manufacturing.

The NIMS Student Summit introduced students and educators to career opportunities in manufacturing through hands-on learning and networking with industry professionals. The Student Summit combined an interactive Career Development Center with a dynamic self-guided tour of the nation's greatest technology and manufacturing exhibition.

“The inspiration theme for this year was conceived during some of the darkest days the manufacturing technology industry has ever gone through,” said Eelman. “As we hoped, IMTS was a source of inspiration for both exhibitors and visitors.”

IMTS 2012 will run Sept. 10-15. “An enormous amount of strategic thinking, talent and energy went into making IMTS a major success,” said Eelman. “As we look forward to 2012, we will move ahead with innovation and technology advances that will keep manufacturing technology growing and vibrant for generations to come.”

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