The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), which runs Sept. 10-15, 2018, in Chicago, will be the 32nd edition of an event that happens on every even-numbered year; the previous show, in 2016, broke a record for the number of exhibiting companies (2,407).
In addition to attracting professionals from numerous manufacturing industries, the show hosts a Smartforce Student Summit that aims to introduce students from elementary through post-secondary schools to the prospect of high-tech careers in manufacturing. This year’s summit will include hands-on challenges for students as well as Learning Labs for teachers and advanced students. Topics include:
- industrial internet of things (IIoT)
- five-axis machining
- collaborative robotics
- additive manufacturing
- generative design
- metrology
- MTConnect, a communication standard designed as a semantic vocabulary for manufacturing
Featured activities include a 3D-printed air-rocket challenge hosted by Rippl3D.com; a FIRST Robotics Competition; and Student Mentor Labs for topics such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robotics and high-mileage vehicles. Teachers can earn professional development certificates from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) on smart manufacturing topics.
“Manufacturing has a tremendous need for skilled talent at all levels, and we are committed to inspiring tomorrow’s innovators, today,” said Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) board member and president/CEO of FANUC North America Mike Cicco. “We’re trying to bring back shop class mindset, but now we’re calling it robotics.
“We want to change the mindset so people view automation as a new career opportunity or see how it enhances their current job,” Cicco added. “That’s true whether someone is a high school student, assembly worker, technician, shop owner or a PhD candidate.”
AMT owns and produces IMTS. The Smartforce Student Summit is produced in partnership with leading educational institutions and advanced technology companies such as FANUC, ABB Robotics, Carl Zeiss, Festo-Didactic, Haas Automation, Heidenhain, Mastercam, Mitutoyo and Siemens.
The student summit is free to attend; registration is required.
