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.

Star Cutter Company has appointed Andrew Epstein as Vice President of Human Resources (HR). Epstein oversees all HR functions for the Star Cutter family of companies, guiding HR resources across global locations and analyzing HR strategies. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, he reports to the Chief Financial Officer, Becky Grech.

Star SU, the marketing, sales and service affiliate of Star Cutter Company, has announced the appointment of Bart Trublowski as its new service manager and project coordinator. Trublowski will oversee service of all the company’s gear manufacturing tools in North America, including its hobbing, chamfer/deburring, and Scudding machines.

AGMA’s Motion + Power Technology (MPT) Expo is a biennial trade show—running this year from October 17–19 at Huntington Place in Detroit—designed to serve the gear and power transmission industry, representing the full spectrum of professionals involved in the life of a gear, gearbox, or other power transmission device—from design to manufacturing, testing, heat treating, and more. You will find equipment and materials suppliers to make gears; gear and gear drive manufacturers; and every imaginable industry-adjacent supplier from software to tooling, lubrication to bearings, and much more.

Star Cutter Company announced that Dean Stetson has been named the vice president of information technology. Stetson is charged with leading corporate IT for all of Star Cutter’s manufacturing facilities, as well as the Star SU’s sales and marketing offices across North America, Europe, Brazil, China, and India enabling the company’s vision to expand its global capabilities.

Star SU, the marketing, sales and service affiliate of Star Cutter Company, has announced that it has become the exclusive representative of Louis Bélet SA (Switzerland) precision cutting tools in North America, further enhancing the strategic partnership between the companies originally established in early 2022. This relationship has proven to enable both companies to extend their product offering and bolster their capability into new applications.

Star SU, the marketing, sales, and service affiliate of Star Cutter Company, has announced the hiring of three new area sales managers (ASMs). Each ASM will be responsible for growing sales in his territory across multiple product lines, illustrating the company’s ability to better serve customers through its vertically-integrated structure.

Cutting tools are basic to gear manufacturing. Whether it's a hob, broach, shaper cutter, or skiving tools, the mission of cutting tools remains the same as always: bulk material removal that is fast, precise, and cost-effective. Evolution in the field tends to come gradually over time in the machines, materials, and coatings that make cutting tools even more useful. Reliable cutting tools are essential to production-process efficiency, and recent solutions from Kennametal, Star SU, and Seco offer improved tool life and precision.