IMTS 2016 Sneak Peek: Fabricating & Lasers

The 2016 edition of the International Manufacturing Technology Show is on track to be one of the largest IMTS events ever at McCormick Place in Chicago from September 12-17. This special sneak peek provides technical reviews of some of the machinery, tooling, systems and accessories that will be exhibited to help you get a head start on navigating the show floor and managing your time while you’re there.

This pavilion will highlight in-process monitoring, multi-functional beam capabilities, as well as community collaboration on design, simulation, materials and quality to produce the most capable systems to support industrial manufacturing applications in fabricating, laser and waterjet-based machining, along with displays of welding, metal treating and marking equipment. Here is a sneak peek at some of the fabricating, laser and waterjet-based technologies that will be exhibited on the show floor:

Robotic Machine Tending Cell for Machine Shops, Job Shops
The affordable VersaCELL Robotic Machine Tending Cell from Versatech helps mitigate the workforce skills gap. It is ideal for shops needing a simple, flexible answer to manpower shortages, inefficient processes and capacity constraints on mid-size CNC lathes, machining centers and grinding operations.

Dynamic Mobile Machine Tending Moves Robots to the Work
Yaskawa Motoman and Clearpath Robotics develop an integrated mobile machine tending and material movement system that is ideal for the shop floor, using a Motoman MH12 robot equipped with end-of-arm tool and vision system mounted on Clearpath’s OTTO 1500 self-driving vehicle.

Advanced Metalforming Technology
The Fluid Forming process from FluidForming Americas uses thinner, lightweight materials, tighter radius, more intricate designs and part nesting to produce innovative geometric shapes in textured and pre-finished materials.

Advanced Control of Marking Systems
The AC500-3.0 Universal Controller for pneumatic, electric and scribe marking systems from Automator America can mark deeper alpha/numeric, symbols, logos and bar codes through its user-friendly touch screen.

Abrasive Waterjet Produces High Precision Parts from Any Material
OMAX will demonstrate how their JetMachining Centers can cut high precision 3D and taper-free parts from virtually any material and thickness without the need for tool changes.

Versatile Dual Axis Measuring and Alignment System
The Laser Microgage PRO Dual Axis Measuring System from Pinpoint Laser Systems can be used to gauge large parts and assemblies, measure stage and table runout, and much more.