Designing A Better Manufacturing Experience

Only 12 more months until the 36th International Manufacturing Technology Show. For those of you unfamiliar with the show, it is the largest manufacturing show in the Western Hemisphere. Machine tool builders, cutting tool makers and others often use IMTS as a venue to launch new products and innovative technologies.

I have been fortunate enough to attend IMTS several times since my first visit in 1996. Over these last 30 years I have watched the show change. In the 1990s there was an emphasis on machine tool advancement. We were presented with innovations like faster controls, improved machine dynamics, high pressure coolant delivery and advanced spindle geometries.

In the early 2000s the emphasis shifted to improved cutting tools and advanced CAM software that allowed shops to fully utilize the faster controls and highly dynamic machine tools.

Last year’s show was different. I did not see any noticeable advancements in machine tool technology or cutting tool technology. There were new products, of course, but nothing that really grabbed my attention.

The show was dominated by devices that improved the way humans interact with machines and processes. Collaborative robots, connectivity devices and ergonomic products were the highlights in almost every booth I visited. It was obvious that companies are seeking productivity gains in different ways than they were just a few years ago.

In the past we looked for faster machines and better cutting tools to improve productivity. Today we are looking for ways to improve the human experience while reducing human intervention in the manufacturing process. We desire to create manufacturing environments that are safer, cleaner and utilize the same technology we use in our personal lives. Manufacturers are looking for ways to improve the human experience in manufacturing spaces.