What a show! We are incredibly grateful to each of you who gathered in Chicago and joined in the excitement of IMTS 2022. Whether you were exploring CNC machines, 3D printers, or automation, welcoming visitors in your booth, or diving deep into one of the dozens of conference sessions, you likely did not experience all of IMTS 2022. Here are just a few highlights that impact the future of manufacturing.
To the Stars
Our country’s expanding space exploration program comes with immense opportunity for advanced manufacturing. This was abundantly clear at the entrance of North Hall in the AMT Emerging Technology Center (ETC), which featured a life-sized 3D printed lunar habitat that you could walk through and touch as adventurers on their way to Mars will one day do.
The ETC also displayed a live additive cell by the Ingersoll-Camozzi team, which printed and milled a prototype lunar habitat door, as well as the Siemens software used to design and print the structure. Two films in the ETC profiled future-facing projects: Rosie, a lunar habitat structure for research and living designed by Saga; and the Giant Magellan Telescope, designed to be the most powerful telescope on Earth, and the innovative groundbreaking work done in its construction.
In his IMTS+ Main Stage speech, Dr. Jeffrey Ahrstrom, CEO of Ingersoll Machine Tools, reminded us that “Manufacturing is – and must continue to be – focused on what’s over the horizon – increasingly outside the bounds of Mother Earth. The future for humanity is extraterrestrial, but to realize this future, radical developments and groundbreaking changes within manufacturing – within your businesses – needs to take place.”
Superhero Flies in Jet Suit
Chicago has been the backdrop for many superhero movies. On Wednesday of IMTS 2022, manufacturer, technologist, and Gravity Industries founder Richard Browning flew his patented Jet Suit three times over McCormick Square. He looked right at home.
IMTS is meant to be many things, but among them is a showcase for what happens when STEM and dreams are applied in real life. “I have a family background in aviation and engineering, and a deep passion for human capability,” says Browning. “There are serious applications for Jet Suit technology in paramedic first response and special military forces mobility.”
What is flying in a Jet Suit like? Browning says, “You have complete 5-axis freedom. There are no controls. It is you moving as effortlessly as skiing or riding a bike. It’s pretty euphoric.”
Women Make Manufacturing Move
For the first time, we were pleased to host an IMTS specialty program, Women Make Manufacturing Move (WMMM), to engage, connect, and celebrate the women driving the future of manufacturing. WMMM, powered by AMT, included multiple sponsors for its three events: AT&T Business, EOS, CERATIZIT USA, Project MFG, Manufacturing USA, PNX Labs, and Zinc Partners. During its events throughout the week of IMTS 2022, WMMM offered curated sessions, inspiration, and networking opportunities. WMMM will continue to offer more programs throughout the year.
Lisa Block, chief revenue officer at Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies, offered action-ready tips to improve company culture. She says: “Manufacturing our best, designing our best, and releasing the best products is inevitably bound to our ability to create encouraging and affirming work environments. These environments are transformative, where people feel seen, appreciated, and that it will, ultimately, be worth it to do their best work.”
M4M 5K at IMTS 2022 Raises Over $32,000
Also on Wednesday of IMTS 2022, hundreds of people from the IMTS community gathered to run, jog, and walk in the Miles for Manufacturing (M4M) 5K. Participants made their way along DuSable Harbor and Lake Shore Drive, enjoying a stunning sunrise that set Lake Michigan aglow – all while aiding the next generation of manufacturers.
M4M raises funds to support STEM and robotics education programs that act as talent pipelines for our industry. This year, $32,131.81 was raised, which will all go to such programs. Since its inception in 2014, M4M has raised and donated $174,016.81. IMTS continues to cover all the M4M costs so that 100% of the fees and funds raised are donated.
Looking Ahead
Indeed, as we embrace thinking outside of Earth, follow our passion for STEM, and welcome diverse voices and talent, our industry will thrive by providing solutions to the manufacturing floor, returning to the moon, and reaching Mars – and beyond.
News, photos, and videos from IMTS 2022 will continue to be posted on IMTS.com. You can stay even more connected at IMTS+, our multi-media content destination. If you have any questions about this information, please contact Peter at peelman@IMTS.com.
