Instead of waiting until the beginning of next year to make a resolution to learn more about emerging technologies, I suggest taking advantage of the learning opportunities available right now. Engaging with AGMA’s emerging technology (ET) initiatives will help you stay current, expand your knowledge base, and potentially add to your itinerary for IMTS.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS)—September 9–14 at Chicago’s McCormick Place—is the largest manufacturing technology show and marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, and it’s right around the corner! With visitors from more than 110 countries, IMTS is where the creators, builders, sellers and drivers of manufacturing technology come to connect and be inspired. But with more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, where do you begin? Here at Gear Technology, we do our best to help you make the most of your show experience by assembling booth previews that will be worthy of your attention.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) September 9–14 at Chicago’s McCormick Place is fast approaching and, for newcomers and veterans alike, it is always worthwhile to plan as much as possible in advance to make the most of it. For Gear Technology readers looking for gear manufacturing equipment such as gear cutting, forming, and finishing, as well as broaching, shaping, and slotting machines, you must first visit the Gear Generation sector in the North Building, Level 3.

Rego-Fix USA will spotlight two new tool clamping/unclamping units for the company’s powRgrip toolholding system and a new spindle drawbar force testing tool at IMTS 2024 in Booth 431822. The new units are the PGA (automatic) 9500 and the powRgrip Single, while the ForceMaster tool is the latest addition to the company’s family of metrology products.

D:PLOY automatically discovers and configures all the components in a robotic cell—including any leading collaborative or light industrial robot arm and tools—while also integrating external I/O from sensors and machines. D:PLOY will be available for all common robotic applications, making deployment up to 80% faster.

Hyperion Materials & Technologies manufactures hard and super-hard materials for a wide variety of industries and applications, including cemented carbide blanks for gear cutting and hobbing. Hyperion will showcase its gear tool blanks and many other products and manufacturing solutions at IMTS 2022, Sept. 12 to 17 in Chicago.

The tedious task of loading and unloading parts into machines has long been a bread-and-butter application for cobots gaining significant traction in the industry. With its 1,750 mm (68.9 in) reach and 20kg payload (44.1 lbs.), the new UR20  from Universal Robots greatly expands automation opportunities such as the ability to reach further into machines, tend several machines in the same cycle, and handle 25% heavier parts. Despite being UR’s heaviest robot, the UR20 is the lightest cobot in its class, weighing only 64kg (141.1 lbs.) making it both a versatile technical tool and a manual laborer.

The new ANCA MX7 ULTRA can manufacture large volumes of precision endmills and other cutting tools. The minute size of a micron is beyond the human eye, but by moving from micrometers to nanometers, ANCA will offer the highest accuracy and quality in a cutting tool in the market.