Published 9/12/2016

IMTS: From Imagination to Innovation

IMTS is here, and I had the opportunity to preview some pretty cool exhibits yesterday along with other members of the press.

Edited by: MMT Editorial Team

IMTS 2016 practically screams excitement as one enters the South Hall entrance of McCormick Place, Chicago.

The media was treated to a sneak preview of ground-breaking developments using additive manufacturing in the Emerging Technologies Center, North Hall.

A fun feature of the Emerging Technology Center is this 3D-printed Shelby Cobra. The car has been driven several times and is said to run well. It demonstrates the very real possibilities of utilizing additive technologies to get products to market much faster than when traditional manufacturing methods are used.

A study in energy efficiency is demonstrated via the AMIE Project, which stands for Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy. Pictured is the rear of an additively printed vehicle on display features a hybrid electric powertrain, according to IMTS exhibitor Oak Ridge National Laboratory, powered onboard by natural gas. The idea is to connect the vehicle's natural gas engine to the home on display next to it in the booth, N-70.

This is the exterior of the new, partially 3D-printed, single-room "house" that is being powered by the natural-gas-powered hybrid electric vehicle shown in the previous slide.

A view of the interior of this house shows a basic kitchen and overall details as to the design of high-performance house that is designed to produce, consume and store renewable energy. The building was brought to IMTS intact, according to Craig Blue, CEO of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation. Blue said the opening of one of the loading docks at McCormick Place had to be made taller in order to fit the AMIE house through it.

If possible, readers should make their ways down to the North Building's C Hall (lower level) to meet Olli, a self-driving shuttle from Local Motors that is powered by the IBM Watson artificial Intelligence platform. Olli is the wave of the future, and is sure to change the way we commute. Olli is designed so that passengers can use an app to set up when and where they are picked up and where they are dropped off. It's an on-demand-type functionality. Be among the first to take a ride on this amazing vehicle.

Before I share a glimpse of these “jewels” of IMTS 2016, I’ll let readers know that, according to Peter R. Eelman, vice president of exhibitions and business development for show organizer AMT, this IMTS will be the largest one ever with regard to manufacturing. In fact, Eelman says the show has expanded so that exhibitor booths – a record-setting 2,407 of them – can be found throughout the more than 1.3 million square feet of show floor space within McCormick Place and this doesn’t count the miles of aisles attendees will be walking.

“These are the building blocks of manufacturing,” Eelman says. “Every manufacturing tool, machine, process and technology brings together the factory of the future.”

So come out to see what’s new, and take a few minutes to look at this slideshow so you won’t miss some worthwhile experiences. Have a great IMTS!