With 1.2 million manufacturing jobs and 35,000 manufacturing firms, California boasts a vibrant manufacturing community, making WESTEC 2023, co-produced by AMT and SME, a popular event with 347 exhibitors, 50 speakers, and nearly 9,000 attendees. Innovation, enthusiasm, and the supply chain were three themes that dominated the show floor, the speaker sessions, and networking.
SHOW FLOOR
For three days in November, builders of manufacturing equipment; software developers, service providers, and small to medium-sized contract manufacturing firms displayed dazzling new equipment, technologies, and parts especially designed for the aerospace and defense industries so prevalent in the Golden State. Exhibitor booths at WESTEC ranged in size from 10’ x 10’ and 30’ x 50’ displays. With so much glistening metal, it’s challenging to include everything, but here’s a glimpse of WESTEC 2023. (For more, you can explore the interactive floorplan and even email exhibitors.)
Metal Removal, Tooling, & Workholding
The largest booths showcased state-of-the-art CNC, EDM, and waterjet machines by Omax, Flow, Mazak, Sodick, Marubeni Citizen-Cincom, while tooling and workholding powerhouses displayed all new technologies that can improve efficiencies in any shop. Toolholder manufacturer HAIMER presented a suite of automated shrinking, balancing, and presetting products that can improve efficiencies in any shop. Workholding manufacturer SMW Autoblok showed off its new plug and play wireless technologies with contact-free transmission of energy and data, electro-mechanical clamping systems, and end-of-arm tooling.
Robots, AM, & Materials
There was a multitude of robots and automation systems by FANUC, Universal Robots, and even autonomous robotic platforms for surveillance by United Robotics Group. Those who make and use additive manufacturing machines were interspersed throughout including Thermwood, Velo3D, and NIDEC Machine Tool Corporation. Rolled Alloys, TCI Precision Metals, and Ultra Carbide represented an array of material suppliers.
Inspector Gadget
There were some fun tools visitors could try and see results immediately. Creaform’s measurement system 3D scans and even reverse engineers while 4D Technology Corporation had some interactive optical systems.
Go Digital
Among the equipment and cool parts were software companies like ProShop ERP that are pioneering a complete digital manufacturing ecosystem that combines ERP, QMS, and MES, and Paperless Parts promoting its quoting software.
“We felt great energy from visitors,” says exhibitor Paul Van Metre of ProShop ERP. “Exhibiting at WESTEC gives us the chance to gauge the pulse on how shops are doing. Most shops are thriving; they’re dealing with backlogs and adopting solutions to meet their demands and gain new opportunities. There is a growing interest in becoming AS9100D certified for aerospace and defense work and a noticeable emphasis on cybersecurity for secure communications between OEM and their suppliers.”
Adding to the buzz on the show floor were companies like Ricaurte Precision, a high-end machine shop offering 24/7 lights-out manufacturing for defense, aerospace, and medical industries in Santa Ana, Calif. — a city that counts aerospace and electronics industries, among its largest employers.
“WESTEC gives us the chance to meet face to face with current and potential customers and a chance to assess the changing needs of the industry as a whole,” says WESTEC exhibitor Hernan Ricaurte, president of Ricaurte Precision. “The value gained from discussions with visitors, various presentations, exhibits, and new information is vital to our company’s growth and development. As a small company among many larger multinational companies, WESTEC gives us exposure to existing and potential customers, as well as insight into new technologies and services.”
Other exhibitors peaking my curiosity included Drake Plastics of Cypress, Texas, which makes the igniter cup, a flight critical part on the Javelin Missile; HILLTOP Technology Laboratory, Inc. that specializes in prototypes, custom CNC machining, short-run productions, and quick-turnaround products; and Machina Labs showing a video of super versatile manufacturing platform using smart seven-axis robots that loads sheets autonomously, and use advanced AI to switch tools and sensors in a snap, doing tasks like shaping, scanning, and trimming on lots of materials.
SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS
Making Oxygen on Mars — Yes Really!
Retired NASA Astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Ph.D. gave an inspiring talk about how his team used resources (Martian carbon-dioxide) on Mars to produce oxygen on Mars by the MOXIE experiment on the Perseverance Rover. At its most efficient Moxie was able to produce 12 grams of oxygen an hour — twice as much as NASA’s original goals for the instrument — at 98% purity. Hoffman is a professor in MIT’s Aeronautics and Astronautics Department. As a NASA astronaut (1978-1997) Hoffman made five space flights becoming the first astronaut to log 1,000 hours of flight time aboard the Space Shuttle.
Strong Partnerships to Help Strengthen Supply Chains
Several speaker sessions focused on strengthening partnerships up and down the supply chain. Keynote speaker Vincent Aguilar, of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems, best captured this in stating, “Suppliers and manufacturers need to do as much as possible today to get ahead. To succeed, suppliers should consider partnering with larger companies and universities. Be proactive — anticipation/early mitigation is key.”
INSPIRING THE NEXT-GENERATION
To encourage young people to pursue the dynamic careers in advanced technology, WESTEC welcomed 330 students and 73 educators from area schools to its Bright Minds Student Summit where they heard from inspiring speakers and guided show floor tours.
NEXT CHANCE TO EXPLORE: IMTS 2024
There is nothing like attending a manufacturing technology show to feel the excitement about our industry. This is a sample of all we experienced at WESTEC 2023. Your next chance to explore all the industry has to offer is IMTS 2024, Sept. 9-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Register now at IMTS.com/Register. To share your passion and hear compelling industry stories visit IMTS+ at IMTS.com/Watch.
