What can you expect from the additive manufacturing industry at IMTS 2024? Here’s what you need to know before attending the Chicago fair, September 9-14, 2024.
Lauren Campos contributed to this report from Chicago.
Since DirectIndustry started covering the IMTS show, the section dedicated to Additive Manufacturing has only grown. Our articles on the subject are a testament to this expansion. And Peter R. Eelman, Chief Experience Officer at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS, agrees:
“Every successive IMTS delivers a more technologically diverse Additive Manufacturing Sector and presents more opportunities to integrate AM into manufacturing operations. Visitors can explore a multitude of ways to apply AM, whether for part production, prototyping, tooling, or workholding, or to connect with AM service providers. We are excited about the role IMTS plays in bringing attention to AM technologies to a manufacturing audience. Many of the AM technologies exhibited have moved into full serial production, whether for direct part production or for critical tooling and workholding. Others may represent the next breakthrough solution for your manufacturing operation.”
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Indeed, more and more companies are turning to AM to produce industrial parts and components. According to Emily Elpes, Head of Human Resources and Communications at 3DEO, an AM contract manufacturer:
“The number of companies producing more than 10 parts via 3D printing has increased by 111% since 2020, surpassing prototyping figures. This trend highlights the industry’s movement toward higher-volume production of finished parts. A key enabler of this shift is design for additive manufacturing, which aids in both adoption and scalability.”
According to Andy Snow, senior vice president of EOS North America, more and more contract manufacturers are investing in additive manufacturing technology for end-use parts, particularly in aerospace, defense, and medical.
Besides, machine sizes are diversifying, with a noticeable increase in larger-format machines for industrial applications. Popular configurations include multi-laser systems that can process a variety of materials and those with integrated post-processing capabilities.
This year, the number of exhibitors in the additive manufacturing sector is expected to be significant once again, offering an even broader range of products for an increasing number of applications. Who are the newcomers and the regulars? Which products will be launched at the show? What are the major trends to watch out for? Here’s a summary of what you shouldn’t miss at IMTS this year when it comes to additive manufacturing.
1/ The New Launches
Meltio’s M600 system
Its blue laser deposition head increases printing speed thanks to the increased absorption of the short wavelength light. The system also removes common touch points such as manual laser alignment, and programming is done in a matter of minutes as the result of a dedicated slicer.
3D Systems’ new EXT 800 Titan Pellet Extrusion System
This system harnesses the speed, reliability, and efficiency of the company’s large-format EXT Titan Pellet systems.
Formlabs’ Form 4
It prints two to five times faster than Form 3+ depending on the material. It also enables same-hour iteration or batch production with masked stereolithography technology.
Xact Metal’s “Breaking the Mold
The Xact Solution to Better Tooling” initiative aims to change the approach to metal 3D printing in the tooling industry by reframing the technology as a valuable option for rapid and cost-effective parts deployment in a mold maker’s toolbox.
Mantle
The company has announced the release of its 420 stainless steel material. The company’s 3D printers are an efficient way to produce mold and die inserts with the accuracy, surface finish, and tool steel properties demanded by toolmakers.
2/ New Exhibitors
Here is a list of some of the new exhibitors in the additive manufacturing sector:
Colibrium Additive
This GE Aerospace company provides laser, electron beam, and binder jet technology and metal powders / IMTS booth #433200
Würth Additive Group
It is a printer and materials provider / IMTS booth #433000
Powder Motion Labs
It is a provider of compact precision powder feeders for metal AM / IMTS booth #433160
Linde Advanced Material Technologies
It is a gas and materials expert / IMTS booth #433116
GKN Additive Forecast 3D
It is a digital manufacturer of advanced plastic and metal AM parts also known for its powder metallurgy / IMTS booth #433118
Caracol
It is a large-format AM expert / IMTS booth #433039
3/ The Providers of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Technology
Here is a list of some of the providers of laser powder bed fusion technology:
EOS
Velo3D
Additive Industries
AddUp
Trumpf
3D Systems
Xact Metal
SLM Solutions
Farsoon Technologies
Renishaw
Colibrium Additive
4/ The Contract Manufacturers/Service Providers
Here is a list of some of the contract manufacturers/service providers:
3DEO
Xometry
GKN Additive
Endeavor 3D
REV A MFG
Penn United
5/ Intriguing Technologies
Tritone Technologies (ceramics),
Impossible Objects (composite-based AM),
Fabrisonic (low‐temperature ultrasonic additive manufacturing),
Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies (AMBIT heads that allow automated changeover between additive, subtractive, and inspection processes).
6/ Additive Manufacturing Attractions
A Hybrid Cell
The AMT Emerging Technology Center will feature a hybrid cell developed by the Manufacturing Systems Design Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The cell integrates existing technologies in an innovative configuration that includes arc-directed energy deposition technology, software technology from Open Mind Technologies, a Yaskawa robot, a Roboris/Eureka robot, a hybrid machining center from Okuma, tooling from MSC, a pallet pool from Fastems, and inspection technology from Zeiss.
IMTS booth #236700
A 3D-Printed Car
The Strati 3D-printed car returns to IMTS for its 10th anniversary. The car will be located in McCormick Square on the walkway into IMTS.
