Ten Talks Job Shops Can't Miss at IMTS 2024

Manufacturing's biggest ticket is back in 2024. With thousands of exhibitors and visitors, it proves to be better than ever. With so much to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here AMFG has outlined ten talks job shop owners don't want to miss.

From quotation to automation, this year promises to offer insight into a host of topics to keep job shop owners at the cutting edge.

1. Modern Machine Shop: 2024 Top Shops Awards

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When:

Monday, September 9 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Central

Where:

The IMTS Main Stage

Who:

Modern Machine Shop

What:

Modern Machine Shops Top Shops program is more than just an honor, its a pathway to excellence. The Top Shop's annual benchmarking program identifies shop floor practices, as well as operational and busines metrics that define world-class competitiveness, and discreet part manufacturing. Each year, companies ranging from mom and pop shops to large captive operations use the Top Shops benchmarking survey to compare their performance against leading businesses and consider what changes they might make to become top performers.

Winners of the program are featured as standout shops in manufacturing technology, business strategies, shopfloor practices and human resources. These honorees have been selected through formal review of benchmarking data collected in the annual Top Shops Survey and represent the highest caliber of machining facilities in the U.S.

Why:

AMG writes a lot about how staying at the cutting edge of technology and manufacturing digitisation is crucial for job shops looking for longevity. Modern Machine Shops’ Top Shops sets the conversation for the highest standard of shops and serves as inspiration for shops looking to take their operations to the next level.

2. Automation for Everyone! Flexible Automation Systems Open the Door for Shops of All Sizes to Integrate Automatized Solutions Tailored to Their Needs Without Breaking the Bank

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Tuesday, September 10 10:00 AM - 10:55 AM Central

Where:

W194-A

Who:

Risto Niemi, Chief Sales Mananger at Fastems LLC

What:

Automation is not just available to large corporations with deep pockets and miles of shop floor real estate. Flexible, modular automation systems can be configured to fit virtually any floorplan, shop size and equipment. Their ability to scale up as a manufacturing operation grows provides companies with the ability to keep existing machines, add new ones, move skilled workers into different roles, and optimize processes by using the right systems for the right jobs.

Risto Niemi will provide examples of shops - both small and very large - that have implemented automation systems that were flexible and customizable to their operations, leading to cost savings, significant throughput and quality, and helping to pave a path for growth along the way. They accomplished this without breaking the bank by having the right discussions from the outset, investing in the right equipment, and embracing the modular and flexible nature of their automated systems.

Why:

There’s no denying that automation is the future of machining but for many job shops, this technology can seem totally inaccessible. Finding an automation solution that best suits your business no matter what the size and industries served is essential for staying at the forefront of innovation.

3. Quoting This Way Is Killing Your Profits

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Tuesday, September 10 1:15 PM - 2:10 PM Central

Where:

W193-A

Who:

Dave Capkovitz, Principal at EBITDA Growth Systems

Greg McHale, CEO at Datanomix

What:

Accurately quoting a job sets the stage for success or failure, so why do so many manufacturers get it wrong? Quoting directly impacts profitability, resource allocation, scheduling, and on-time delivery. And it supports long-term customer relationships and trust with transparent and reliable pricing. Learning how to nail the process has a tremendous impact on the bottom line and the long-term future of the business.

Why:

AMFG understands more than most the importance of quoting and estimating. Job shops can face massive backlogs and RFQ headaches due to the complexity of the projects. Having quoting expertise in your arsenal whether it’s with a quoting software such as AMFG or hearing from industry experts such as Dave Copkovitz and Greg McHale, is essential to set job shops up for success.

4. Integrating CNC Control with Robotics: Revolutionizing Manufacturing

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Wednesday, September 11 9:00 AM - 9:55 AM Central

Where:

W192-B

Who:

Tiansu Jing, Product Manager at SIEMENS Industry Inc.

What:

Join us during IMTS for a presentation on the pivotal role of integrating CNC control with robotics in modern manufacturing. This session will underscore the profound impact of this integration on path accuracy and user-friendliness, with a special focus on multi-robot collaborations, additive manufacturing, and machine tool operations. Attendees will delve into real-world examples showcasing the transformative benefits of this innovative approach, gaining actionable insights into the evolving landscape of robotics in diverse manufacturing applications. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the forefront of technological advancement and envision the future of manufacturing efficiency and precision.

Why:

In a landscape consistently threatened by the ongoing labour shortage, automation presents itself as a way to plug the gap. While Robotics might seem like the natural next step, this talk can help to guide job shops through the vast world of robotics.

5. Unveiling the Future: AI-NC Machining and the Resurgence of N.A. Manufacturing

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Wednesday, September 11 9:00 AM - 9:55 AM Central

Where:

W192-C

Who:

Tanmay Aggarwal, Founder & CEO at Lambda Function, Inc.

René Barakett, Co-Founder & CPO at Lambda Function, Inc.

What:

The advent of AI-integrated Numerical Control (NC) machining will revolutionize North American manufacturing, heralding a remarkable resurgence in the industry. Through sophisticated algorithms and machine learning, AI-NC machining optimizes precision, speed, and efficiency in CAD-to-Part processes, drastically reducing errors and enhancing overall productivity and capital efficiency.

This technological synergy combines the prowess of artificial intelligence with the precision of numerical control, empowering manufacturers to craft intricate, high-quality components with unprecedented accuracy. As a result, North American manufacturing will experience a renaissance, reclaiming its competitive edge on the global stage by harnessing AI's potential to propel innovation, elevate product quality, and streamline manufacturing operations.

Why:

CNC was a game changer for machining when it emerged in the latter half of the 20th century. With the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) growing increasingly sophisticated, it promises to be the next step for machining. Get a glimpse into this next era with this talk.

6. Accelerating Digital Transformation ROI with Agile Mobile Robots

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Wednesday, September 11 1:15 PM - 2:10 PM Central

Where:

W193-A

Who:

Ochiai, Bob Product Manager at Boston Dynamics

What:

Artificial intelligence is enabling almost everyone to tackle their toughest challenges in new and exciting ways. For asset-intensive industries, the promise of AI is predictability. The key to unlocking this AI-enabled future is consistent, reliable data. That’s why factories, foundries, and plants across the world are using agile mobile robots to gather higher quality and higher quantities of data than ever.

Our subject matter expert will dive into how an end-to-end industrial inspection solution can improve manufacturing operations to be optimally efficient in as little as two years with automated robotic inspection. Our SME will discuss the transformational capabilities of mobile robots and showcase how Nestle Purina has successfully leveraged the technology to give their technicians time back and improve processes at their factories.

Why:

While automation technologies can undoubtedly improve operations, streamling processes and lead to more cost effective production in the long-run, many can be skeptical about the results. Indeed, according to McKinsey and Company, difficulty in understanding ROI is a key factor impeding adoption.

This talk will demystify automation and explain how to get the biggest benefits out of the technology.

7. Bridging the Past and Future: Unleashing Legacy Machinery Potential in the Industry 4.0 Era

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Wednesday, September 11 • 1:15 PM - 2:10 PM Central

Where:

W193-B

Who:

John Carpenter, President & CEO at Excellerant

David Messineo, Chief Innovation Officer at Excellerant

What:

In an era where the digital transformation of manufacturing sectors is not just an option but a necessity, the challenge of modernizing legacy equipment poses significant hurdles for many. Our presentation delves into the transformative potential of DNC software in revolutionizing how legacy CNC machines are integrated into the digital thread of Industry 4.0. We explore the seamless bridging of historical manufacturing strengths with tomorrow's technological imperatives, emphasizing several pivotal areas including Legacy Equipment Integration, Enabling Smart Manufacturing and Reshaping the Workforce through Digital Literacy.

Why:

As AMFG has previously discussed, updating legacy equipment offers an opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology without having requiring the significant financial investments of new machinery. For job shop owners looking to navigate the best of both worlds, this talk offers guidance about how to navigate this world.

8. Deploying AI to Solve the Machining Skills Gap

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Wednesday, September 11 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Central

Where:

W196A

Who:

Theo Saville, Co-Founder & CEO at CloudNC

What:

The CNC machining industry’s skills gap is now a full-on crisis, as programmers age out of the sector and their expertise is lost. But there’s a solution: manufacturers are deploying AI today to bridge the gap and accelerate CNC machine programming, making them more efficient and enabling junior employees to machine more complex parts much more quickly, assisted by next-generation technology. In this session, CloudNC co-founder Theo Saville demonstrates both the impact of this technology now, and its future direction of travel, with impact for supply chain management and reshoring.

Why:

As the manufacturing labour shortage continues to pose problems for job shops, automation solutions present themselves as a natural solution to this issue. This talk is a must-see for any job shop owners looking to harness AI to address their own staffing shortages.

9. Benefits of a Fully-Integrated Additive Manufacturing Solution

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Wednesday, September 11 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Central

Where:

W-194B

Who:

Matt Karesh, Director of Business Development at Velo3D

What:

To achieve innovation, adoption, and scale with metal additive manufacturing, companies need more than just a printer. Production at scale requires a combination of hardware and software to achieve the repeatable results and predictable outcomes required to deliver high-volume production. This presentation will highlight software’s increasingly important role in additive manufacturing and how integrating it within an additive manufacturing solution can help companies achieve their long-term production goals. It will include examples of companies who have used fully integrated solutions to achieve better manufacturing outcomes and higher volume production.

Why:

Traditional machine shops may overlook additive manufacturing or struggle to see how it functions in a traditional job shop. As hybrid additive and subtractive solutions are set to become more mainstream, the savvy job shop owner will explore how additive solutions can work for them.

10. Should I Print, Mold, or Machine This Part?

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Image courtesy of IMTS[/caption]

When:

Thursday, September 12 11:00 AM - 11:55 AM Central

Where:

W192-A

Who:

Greg Paulsen, Director of Applications Engineering and Marketing at Xometry

What:

What: There are more options than ever when it comes to manufacturing. Each process has strengths and trade-offs depending on product requirements, especially when considering additive manufacturing (3D printing) options as a production path. In this session, Xometry's Director of Applications Engineering, Greg Paulsen, will shine his perspective on choosing the best path forward when moving a product from initial prototyping concepts into sustained production.

Paulsen will describe the overall manufacturing landscape and provide tangible tips on how to get the most out of each process and when to pivot to alternative options. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of each process, empowering them to make well-informed decisions that enhance cost efficiency, meet precise engineering specifications, and add significant value to their final products.

Why:

AMFG has spoken about job shops are going to have to consolidate their services, some shops may offer multiple solutions. With each of these technologies suited to a different role, this talk takes job shop owners through matching the part to the process.

Final thoughts:

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Attending IMTS offers a glimpse into the manufacturing technologies of the future. In this era of digitisation, automation and AI - it’s important for job shop owners to be a part of making the conversation and not lagging behind.

These talks offer an opportunity to hear from the industry’s best and brightest about the industry job shops can take advantage of the latest advances and innovations. After all, the conversations at IMTS today tell us about the manufacturing of tomorrow.