Every two years, the manufacturing industry converges at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS). It’s a one-of-a-kind event where the latest in cutting-edge technology is on display, offering countless innovations that shape the future of the industry.
Last month, several members of the Wagner Machine team attended IMTS 2024 with one clear purpose: to find solutions that will directly benefit our customers. That mission took us to what felt like every corner of the massive Chicago event space. From tooling to software, we carefully evaluated everything with one question in mind—will this help us deliver even more value to our customers?
Keeping Costs Low With Tooling and Workholding
Every visit to IMTS is a glimpse into the exciting growth of manufacturing technology. For example, when we first added 5-axis milling services at our machine shop, only a few manufacturers produced self-centering vises or dovetail fixtures – and they were EXTREMELY expensive. Fast forward to this year’s show, and we saw dozens of manufacturers with hundreds of quick change and automation options at far more competitive prices.
Tooling and workholding solutions were a top priority for us this year because they have a direct effect on our ability to keep costs lower. That is why we spent two full days focused on finding the right solutions. The right investments can boost efficiency quickly, directly affecting pricing and project lead times.
When we evaluate new workholding systems, we focus on flexibility and compatibility with our existing systems. We look for options that not only allow us to fixture a part more effectively than our current options, but are compatible with our existing hardware whenever possible. This approach minimizes disruptions while maximizing productivity—benefits we pass on to you.
How New Inspection Equipment Enables Rapid Turnaround
Our reputation for high-standards has attracted new customers with increasingly stringent inspection requirements. To keep pace with these demanding standards, we’re considering major investments in new inspection technology.
The vast scope of IMTS ensures no stone remains unturned in our search for the optimal solution, often revealing innovations we didn’t know existed. As we walked the show floor, we discovered a new inspection product that we’d never seen before, despite countless hours of online research. This unexpected find has the potential to save us hundreds of hours on upcoming projects, particularly those with complex geometry and tight dimensional/finish tolerance requirements. It’s these kinds of surprising, game-changing discoveries that showcase the real value of attending IMTS.
Exploring Software Solutions to Enhance Programming Efficiency
Advances in manufacturing software are helping shops like ours streamline operations. We’ve kept a close eye on developments in CAM software, in particular, and evaluated several options during our time at IMTS. While we’re satisfied with our current software suite, we’re always assessing new solutions to see if they could offer even faster programming for complex parts.
We take a long-term view with major software changes. We only adopt new systems when they provide significant gains in efficiency without adding unnecessary costs. IMTS allows us to compare and interact with these products firsthand, ensuring that any technology we bring into our shop will enhance our capabilities and benefit you.
Putting Our IMTS Knowledge to Work at Our CNC Machine Shop
We left IMTS feeling energized and inspired, with plenty of new ideas and potential solutions for our shop. Over the coming months, we’ll carefully evaluate everything we saw, ensuring we make the right choices to improve our operations and, more importantly, continue delivering the best possible results for you.
If you’re looking for a precision machining partner with a forward-thinking approach, request a quote today and see how our high-tech, high-precision services can elevate your next project.