Among the 2,000 exhibitors at North America’s largest manufacturing trade show, in with the cutting tools, CNC machines, and laser welders, will be 83 additive manufacturing companies — more if you count the hybrid solutions, software publishers, on-demand 3D printing services, and inspection solutions also used in 3D printing.
In fact, the AM Pavilion at the International Manufacturing Technology Show, Sept. 12-17 in Chicago, has doubled in size since the last show in 2018.
Although additive manufacturing’s presence at IMTS is still relatively small, virtually all of the established brands in the 3D printing market will be there to put their solutions up against traditional manufacturing as the better, faster, cheaper, and more efficient way to make a wide range of parts and products.
Unlike exhibiting at the additive manufacturing-focused trade show like Formnext and Rapid+TCT, companies with booths at IMTS say they’ll focus less on explaining the details of 3D printing technology and instead focus on showing final products.
“We’re trying something new at IMTS that we’re excited about and that’s focusing much more on applications and the end-use of additive,” says Greg Hayes, SVP of applied technology at 3D printer giant EOS. “We’ll have interactive displays where people can hold parts in their hands at play around with things that can be made, really allowing them to use their imagination to see what’s possible.”
Also following this idea, large-format 3D printer maker BigRep will display a 15-foot, 3D printed snake, while Formlabs will feature the personalized action figure partnership it has with toy maker Hasbro.
If you’re a manufacturer or supplier, there may be no better venue to comparison-shop manufacturing technologies than this year’s IMTS. Exhibitors are keen to highlight how 3D printers can deliver faster prototypes compared to CNC machines and lower-cost spare parts than injection molding.
Beyond the prototyping and low-volume part production capabilities of 3D printers that attendees are bound to be familiar with, several additive manufacturing companies are showcasing their production volume capabilities. 3D Systems, SLM Solutions, and HP all say they plan to showcase AM as an industrial solution to larger volumes of end-use parts.
A Different Post-Pandemic Manufacturing World
The 2020 IMTS was canceled due to the pandemic, which also dramatically changed manufacturing in the US. OEMs and part suppliers are struggling to overcome supply chain problems from Asia. They’re looking for ways to pivot to reshore and localize production while incorporating new stainability objectives. Stronger than ever competition means companies need to get new products to market faster, thus a renewed focus on rapid prototyping.
All of these factors make IMTS exhibitors optimistic about this year’s event.
“The world is a very different place,” notes Aaron Pearson, VP of global public relations for Stratasys. “We’re seeing labs at our customers grow into significant additive manufacturing centers of excellence, and a lot of work go into qualifying 3D printed parts and processes for end-use parts applications.”
Pearson says Stratasys will emphasise at IMTS just how much specific use cases require tailored solutions — the right 3D printing technology, materials, software connectivity, and services. “Generic 3D printing solutions are not going to grow 3D printing in manufacturing.”
This idea rings true with many OEMs and suppliers, and may be why so many 3D printing companies, large and small, each with their own distinct offerings, are taking part in this year’s event.
New in the AM Pavilion at IMTS
New for 2022, the AM Pavilion will encompass the AM4U Area, presented by Formnext. It is a multi-use zone on the show floor offering industry expert talks and seminars for the adoption of industrial AM as well as entrepreneurship and business models for start-ups.
“With AM now recognized as a robust factor in an agile production and supply chain strategy, you’ll see first-hand how to incorporate and enhance AM capabilities, as well as how to implement other digital technologies to achieve greater efficiencies – and help drive our industry forward,” says IMTS organizers.
With digital manufacturing as the theme of IMTS 2022, it’s bound to be one of the most productive venues for 3D printing companies to showcase their solutions and a unique opportunity for attendees.
Additive Manufacturing Companies Exhibiting at IMTS 2022’s AM Pavilion
- 3D Systems (433104)
- 3DEO, Inc. (433159)
- 3Dxtech (433100)
- 3Yourmind (433230)
- 6K Additive (433024)
- Additive Assurance (433126)
- Additive Industries North America, Inc. (433152)
- AM Ventures Management (433230)
- AM4U (433010)
- AMFG (432410)
- AMT – The Association For Mfg. Technology (433010)
- Ansys, Inc. (433145)
- ASTM International (433124)
- Azul 3D, INC. (433156)
- Baker Industries, a Lincoln Electric Company (433163)
- BeAM Machines (known as AddUp Inc.) (433133)
- Big Systems (433167)
- BigRep America Inc. (433158)
- Breton S.p.A (433238)
- CASTOR (433160)
- CBG Biotech (432526)
- Conflux Technology Pty Ltd. (433230)
- Desktop Metal (432212, 433103)
- DM3D Technology, LLC (433020)
- DSI – Autodesk Advanced Manufacturing (433122)
- Dyndrite (432416)
- EDM Network, Inc. (433229)
- EDM Performance Accessories (433226)
- Elementum 3D (433128)
- EOS (432302)
- Fabrisonic LLC (433017)
- Farsoon Technologies (433106)
- Fastech LLC (433118)
- Fathom Manufacturing (432520)
- Fisher Unitech (known as Computer Aided Technology) (433243)
- Formalloy Technologies, Inc. (433018)
- Formlabs (433219)
- Fortify (433114)
- Fortius Metals Inc. (433230)
- Fusion3 3D Printers (433155)
- HP Inc. (433000)
- Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies (432432)
- Impossible Objects, Inc. (433140)
- Incus GmbH (433230)
- Indo-MIM Inc. (432307)
- Inkbit (433129)
- InssTek (432320)
- Intamsys Technology (433116)
- JEOL USA, INC (432510)
- Kurtz Ersa (432427)
- Lincoln Electric Additive Solutions (433163)
- MachineWorks Ltd. (433029)
- Mantle Inc. (433136)
- Markforged, Incorporated (432305)
- MasterGraphics, Inc. (433013)
- Materialise USA (433223)
- Meltio (432217)
- Mesago Messe Frankfurt (433010)
- MetShape GmbH (433230)
- ModuleWorks GmbH (433108)
- Nexa3D, Inc. (432504)
- nTopology (433141)
- Optomec Inc. (433130)
- Parlec (known as Omega TMM) (432220)
- Parmatech Corporation (432514)
- Photocentric Inc. known as Photocentric (432518)
- Quickparts, Inc. (433221)
- Raise 3D Technologies Inc. (433137)
- Rapid Shape GmbH (432427)
- Renishaw Inc. (433239)
- Roboze Inc. (433016)
- Sciperio Inc known as Nscrypt Inc. (433015)
- Siemens Industry Inc. (433028)
- SLM Solutions Americas (432310)
- Stratasys (433007)
- STS Technical Design (433167)
- Super 3D Plus Inc (433120)
- Thermwood Corporation (433200)
- Trumpf (433037)
- U.S. Chrome Corporation (433110)
- VBN Components AB (432528)
- Velo3D (433031)
- Vergason Technology, Inc. (433014)
- Voxeljet America Inc. (433148)
- VRC Metal Systems LLC (433149)
- Würth Additive Group (432427)
- Xact Metal (433041)
- Xerox Elem Additive Solutions (433234)
- Xometry (433012)
- XYZprinting, Inc. (432423)
- Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions (433231)
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