On Monday, September 21, IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show will launch IMTS spark, a unique digital platform presented in conjunction with Gardner Business Media, that will help businesses optimize their manufacturing processes for speed, precision, and performance.

The unheralded scope of offerings includes 2,036 IMTS spark exhibitor showrooms, 31 live machine demos, 240 different manufacturing technology sessions, 145 different speakers, live interviews, daily updates, hosted shows and Q&A interactions with some of manufacturing’s biggest business, technology and thought leaders. IMTS spark runs from September 21 through March 15, 2021.

“IMTS spark offers the best of what the industry wants most: fresh ideas to improve their processes and the opportunity to make new connections with the people who can help transform their operations,” says Peter R. Eelman, Vice President & CXO at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS. “From rethinking your supply chain to digitizing operations to solving everyday challenges, there is no other vehicle that offers more in-depth resources or new opportunities than IMTS spark.”

Marquee events during the first two weeks (see the schedule) alone include:

• Interviews with Barbara Humpton, President and CEO of Seimens USA and Jim King, President and COO of Okuma America Corporation;
• Live equipment demos from IMTS exhibitor companies;
• A Q&A opportunity on additive manufacturing with world-renown engineers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Development Facility;
• EMO MILANO 2021 Update: Appointment in Milan – a session for future planning;
• A supply chain strategy discussion with Industry Week’s Paul Erickson;
• Educational sessions from the IMTS Conference and the Additive In-Depth sessions;
• Weekly updates on the news and business information most important to your company;
• Morning “coffee chat” and evening “happy hour” opportunities to connect, and much more.

“The critical role manufacturing technology plays in growing businesses has never been more apparent than now,” says Rick Kline, Jr., President of Gardner Business Media. “At a time when we need some happy coincidences, there are more new ways to improve operations than our industry ever imagined, notably with digital manufacturing. IMTS spark is the place to learn about the transformative technologies that are ready to implement now, as well as those that should be part of any 5-year business plan.”

Technology Filled Showrooms

A cornerstone of IMTS spark is the live equipment demos (31 and counting) where participants can chat and ask questions and the IMTS exhibitor showrooms where participants can search the largest database for manufacturing technology equipment (2,036 companies) on IMTS spark.

To prepare for IMTS spark register for a free MySpark Planner account and begin researching solutions.

“We suggest business leaders use the same approach to IMTS spark as they would for a live event, but even more so because it encompasses a greater scope,” says Eelman. “Gather team members, list operation challenges, research the tools and equipment most important to your plant today and tomorrow, assign specific people to specific tasks and have routine team de-briefings afterward.”

IMTS spark also enables registrants to review: 700+ Products (and counting), 85+ news releases and 73 case studies (and counting), 84+ technical white papers (and counting), choose from more than 350+ vendor brochures and take advantage of exhibitor Special Offers.

Six Showcases

So that visitors to the imts.com/spark site can easily search and find relevant content, IMTS organized spark into six showcases: Manufacturing Technology, Innovation Shakedown, Making Connections, Industry Insights, Business of Manufacturing and Leadership Insights.

A total of 240 sessions (content segments) and 152 speakers are currently scheduled, with more being added. Many of the sessions have a consistent time slot. For example, equipment demos are featured through-out the day starting at 9:30 am CT; the IMTS Conference airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. CDT and Additive In-Depth airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon and again at 1:30 p.m. CDT.

“The breadth and depth of IMTS spark is almost beyond belief — who would have ever imagined six months of manufacturing technology programming? It happened because our community pulled together and generated an amazing amount of content in a few short months,” says Eelman. “On behalf of the IMTS and AMT family, we extend our thanks to the hundreds of individuals, AMT members and industry partners that contributed to bringing IMTS spark to life.”

Knowledge Centers

Take a deep dive into technology with the Knowledge Centers in IMTS spark. Four technology topics will be released on Sept. 21 with more coming out on a rolling basis.

1. Top Shops – The Gardner Business Intelligence and Modern Machine Shop Top Shops Program is both an honor for the shops chosen annually, and a benchmarking tool for all who participate. See how your business stacks up.
2. Digital Manufacturing – From machine monitoring and machine tool dynamics to out-of-the-box digital tools, digital manufacturing technologies are a requirement for competing in the marketplace as well as simplifying and improving businesses.
3. Trends in Automotive – What’s Next for the Automotive Industry? The Editors of AutoBeat explore the industry’s transition to one where automotive manufacturing is safer, simpler, more regulated … and possibly reshored.
4. Additive Manufacturing for Production – Learn the basics of additive manufacturing (3D printing) for production applications.

“IMTS spark presents an unprecedented opportunity to stay on top of new technology,” says Gardner’s Kline. “The content and interactions cover a wide array of critical industry trends and technical topics, including IIoT, Digital Manufacturing, multitasking and 5-axis machining.”

About IMTS – International Manufacturing Technology Show

IMTS – International Manufacturing Technology Show – The largest and longest running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States is held every other year at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. IMTS 2022 will run Sept. 12-17. IMTS is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world. Recognized as one of the world’s preeminent stages for introducing and selling manufacturing equipment and technology as well as connecting the industry’s supply chain. IMTS attracts visitors from every level of industry and more than 117 countries. IMTS 2018 was the largest in number of registrations (129,415), net square feet of exhibit space (1,424,232 sq. ft.), booths (2,123) and exhibiting companies (2,563). IMTS is owned and managed by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

About AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology

AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents and promotes U.S.-based manufacturing technology and its members—those who design, build, sell, and service the continuously evolving technology that lies at the heart of manufacturing. Founded in 1902 and based in Virginia, the association specializes in providing targeted business assistance, extensive global support, and business intelligence systems and analysis. AMT is the voice that communicates the importance of policies and programs that encourage research and innovation, and the development of educational initiatives to create tomorrow’s Smartforce. AMT owns and manages IMTS — The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is the premier manufacturing technology event in North America.