IMTS is back

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) is back after having been cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The largest and longest-running industrial trade show in the Western Hemisphere is returning to McCormick Place in Chicago from Sept. 12-17, 2022.

IMTS 2022 is the 33rd edition of this North American show. In 2018, the show reached record numbers, including the highest number of exhibiting companies at 2,563. It also had the highest ever number of registrations at 129,415 and the largest net square feet of exhibit space of 1,424,232 sq. ft.

The year’s event is expected to draw industry leaders and manufacturers from all over the world. It focuses on technology, community, and inspiration in manufacturing.

The show has nine pavilions and more than 2,000 booths highlighting more than 15,000 new machining technologies. It also will host community-based programs like Job Shops, Women Make Manufacturing Move, and an Investor Forum. The Emerging Technology Center showcases state-of-the-art and disruptive technologies and offers conferences, workshops, and live learning labs.

Here is a look at what you can expect at IMTS 2022.

International Manufacturing Technology Show

Sept. 12-17, 2022

McCormick Place, 2301 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60616 USA

Show Hours

Abrasive Machining/Sawing/Finishing. Located in North Building, Level 3, this pavilion is dedicated to applications that require high tolerance and precision surface finish, particularly for automotive, aerospace, and medical industries, all of which require a high degree of accuracy and precision. See the latest in all varieties of grinding technology, as well as sawing and cutoff machines, and a variety of finishing technologies, such as lapping, balancing, honing, and polishing machines.

IMTS 2022 will be returning to McCormick Place in Chicago.

What you can expect to see at the Abrasive Machining/Sawing/Finishing Pavilion: cylindrical grinders, internal grinders, angular wheel-side grinders, creep feed grinders, through-feed grinders, centreless grinders, surface grinders, abrasive belt grinders, jig grinders, CNC tool and cutter grinders, universal grinders, cam grinders, bench grinders, abrasive cutoff machines, band saws, circular saws, lapping machines, balancing machines, honing machines, and polishing machines.

Additive Manufacturing. Additive manufacturing uses layer-by-layer processes to create 3D parts. Located in West Building, Level 3, see the continued improvements in materials and processes that are producing more industrial additive solutions than ever.

What you can expect to see in the Additive Manufacturing Pavilion: Vat Photopolymerization, power bed fusion, binder jetting, material jetting, sheet lamination, material extrusion, and directed energy deposition.

Controls & CAD-CAM. Custom automation and the latest software will be on display in this pavilion located in the East Building, Level 2 and Level 3. Controls, CAD/CAM, and other digitally enabled tools will help define smart manufacturing, the Industrial Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, and other advancements in the digital enterprise.

What you can expect to see in the Controls & CAD/CAM Pavilion: CIM/CAD/CAM systems, CNCs, automation management systems, communications systems and LAN, software development systems services, computers and software, and system integration services.

Fabricating & Lasers. See the latest technology in fabricating, laser, and waterjet-based machining, along with displays of welding, metal treating, and marking equipment in North Building, Level 3. Exhibits will highlight in-process monitoring, multifunctional beam capabilities, as well as community collaboration on design, simulation, materials, and quality.

What you can expect to see in the Fabricating & Lasers Pavilion: plasma, bending machines, coiling equipment, forming equipment, press brakes and shears, presses, heat treating equipment, metal forming, waterjet cutting machines, laser systems and equipment, marking machines, pipe/tube benders, robotics, stamping equipment, punching equipment, iron workers, and roll forming.

Gear Generation. If you're looking for gear manufacturing equipment, check out the Gear Generation Pavilion in North Building, Level 3. In addition to traditional applications such as automotive, construction, mining, and shipbuilding, gears are finding even greater importance in the emerging alternative energy and wind power sectors.

What you can expect to see in the Gear Generation Pavilion: gear hobbers, gear shapers, gear cutters, gear shavers, broaching equipment, gear grinding equipment, and gear measuring equipment.

Machine Components/Cleaning/Environmental. This pavilion, located in East Building, Level 2, will focus on all that manufacturers need to run a plant, from the parts to service and monitor machines to the components necessary for safe and environmentally responsible operations.

IMTS will host a number of conferences/learning areas.

What you can expect to see in the Machine Components/Cleaning/Environmental Pavilion: equipment and services for air purification, safety guards, mats and equipment; filtration equipment; water and oil purification; air filtration; oil separation; sump cleaners; noise control equipment; dust removers; electrical equipment; way covers/tracks; storage systems; parts cleaners; parts washers; and materials handling/storage systems.

Metal Removal. This pavilion in South Building, Level 3, is where you'll find the latest innovations in metal cutting equipment.

What you can expect to see in the Metal Removal Pavilion: machining centres, turning centres, automated manufacturing systems, boring machines, drilling machines, transfer machines, screw machines, skiving/trepanning/roller burnishing machines, gun drilling machines, planer/mills, automation systems, assembly machines, end finishers, machining cells, flexible manufacturing systems, and EDM equipment.

Quality Assurance. In East Building, Level 3, attendees find the metrology equipment and systems to keep processes on track and find absolute confidence and security in the quality of your output. It's also where to find the equipment that will check the accuracy of your machines.

What you can expect to see in the Quality Assurance Pavilion: precision measuring machines; laser measurement machines; coordinate measuring machines; precision gaging; automated gaging; in-process gaging; tool condition monitoring equipment; measurement software; quality, control, testing, and measuring equipment; comparators; metrology; vision systems; and surface finish measuring equipment.

Tooling & Workholding Systems. No industry functions without its tooling. The latest in state-of-the-art workholding systems are also featured in this area, located in West Building, Level 3.

What you can expect to see in the Tooling & Workholding Systems Pavilion: boring bars, coolants, oils, cutting fluids, ceramics and composite cutting tools, tool coatings, drills, chucks, tools, milling cutters, form cutters, end mills, fixturing systems, gun drilling tools, cutting tool measurement/checking systems, hobs, inserts, jigs, key seating tools, ball-nose end mills, chucks and plates, collets, spindle adapters, reaming tools, tool storage equipment, jigs and fixtures, vises, and workholding systems

Current economic conditions, technical innovations, and supply chain hurdles are pushing industry to identify new methodologies, best practices, and opportunities to learn. A variety of conferences presented throughout the week of IMTS are an opportunity to gain professional insights and hone business acumen for facing these challenges.

IMTS will host the following conferences/learning areas:

IMTS 2022 Conference. With a slate of product experts selected entirely from IMTS exhibiting companies, the IMTS Conference will provide tangible solutions to put into practice at your shop. Brought to you by AMT and GIE Media.

IMTS Specialty Program: Job Shops Workshop Day 1. Designed exclusively for job shops stakeholders, this event features a presentation on workforce development and retention and panel discussions with job shops implementing digital manufacturing technologies and workforce best practices that improve their efficiencies, recruitment, and operations.

IMTS Specialty Program: Job Shops Workshop Day 2 featuring Modern Machine Shop's Top Shops. This half-day program, presented by AMT and Modern Machine Shop, offers attendees a look into this year's annual Top Shops benchmarking survey.

IMTS Specialty Program: Women Make Manufacturing Move. The IMTS Women Make Manufacturing Move program will inspire women in the manufacturing technology community through curated sessions, networking, and business. Check out the Monday night reception, Wednesday luncheon, and a Friday Take 5.

IMTS Investor Forum. The forum connects attendees with advanced manufacturing experts. Guided tours of the show floor afford an inside experience with the industry, firsthand from startups and industry insiders.

The Smarter Sourcing Symposium at IMTS 2022. The inaugural Smarter Sourcing Symposium at IMTS 2022, presented by IMTS and The Onshoring Project, will deliver direct strategies for sounder and more financially beneficial North American part production.

Tech Leadership Summit. Powered by ASME, this conference focuses on digital transformation. Leaders will discuss big data, digital twin, robotics, additive manufacturing, and tour the show floor with an industry expert.