IMTS 2006 gears up to offer innovations

Because value-added manufacturing is at record levels in the U.S., organizers say this year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), Sept. 6-13 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, is scheduled to host more than 1,300 vendors and attract more than 85,000 visitors from 80 countries.

IMTS 2006 also will showcase more than 15,000 new machine tools, controls, computers, software, components, systems, and processes to improve efficiency.

ETC Shows Future Solutions
The show’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC) will highlight research on manufacturing-specific technologies, focus on new initiatives and capabilities emerging in the next three to five years, and show what industry needs to do to reach those goals.

ETC will kick-off with a multimedia presentation that will showcase how to plan for future products and services. Researchers will demonstrate simulation modeling, knowledge-based systems, new materials, and complex processes, such as friction stir welding.

The show will run three times per hour between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily during IMTS 2006. Following the show, representatives from academia, government labs, and industry will share their work in a series of displays, including:

• Machine-tool error calibration and correction
• Micro-machining technology
• Software for high-speed milling
• Virtual machining process simulation and optimization
• Science-based manufacturing
• Smart machining
• Predictive modeling and optimization
• Technologies for nano-manufacturing

ETC also is launching a new speaker series featuring topics from industry experts on designated days. A full schedule is available at the IMTS website.

BattleBots Ready to Rumble
Heavy metal-on-metal action will fly when robots square off during IMTS 2006. BattleBotsIQ, a roadshow version of the popular cable TV show, will bring robot battles, demonstrations, and contests for visitors and exhibitors to the show’s Lakeside Center, Hall D.

Attendees will be able to test drive and exchange blows with 15 lb. mini-bots, or try something larger in the 1,600-sq-ft arena. Able to destroy lawn mowers and bowling balls, the famous Wild Thing BattleBot will  provide some added havoc.

BattleBotsIQ is an educational program created by the producers of the BattleBots TV series, in which homemade, remote-controlled robots face-off in competition. The producers report that the new sport of robot competition can make a positive educational impact, and can help educate and train a workforce that will know how to troubleshoot, problem solve, and invent new technologies.