Exploring AM at IMTS 2024

Whether you are exploring additive manufacturing (AM), unsure where to start, or have advanced programs you seek to scale up, the exhibitors in the Additive Manufacturing Sector, accelerated by Formnext at IMTS 2024 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show have the experts with the experience, partnerships, technology, and services to further your success. IMTS 2024, which runs Sept. 9-14 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, features AM technology located in the front of the West Building as well as integrated throughout the show, notably hybrid AM-subtractive systems in the Metal Removal Sector, CAD-CAM solutions for AM in the Software Sector, and also in the Smartforce Student Summit to attract younger generations to digital manufacturing.

“Every successive IMTS delivers a more technologically diverse Additive Manufacturing Sector and presents more opportunities to integrate AM into manufacturing operations,” says Peter R. Eelman, chief experience officer, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS. “Visitors can explore a multitude of ways to apply AM, whether for part production, prototyping, to make 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.” 

First-time Additive Manufacturing Sector exhibitors include Colibrium Additive (IMTS booth #433200), a GE Aerospace company that provides laser, electron beam, and binder jet technology and metal powders; printer and materials provider Würth Additive Group (IMTS booth #433000); Powder Motion Labs (IMTS booth #433160), a provider of compact precision powder feeders for metal AM; Linde Advanced Material Technologies (IMTS booth #433116), a gas and materials expert; GKN Additive Forecast 3D (IMTS booth #433118), a digital manufacturer of advanced plastic and metal AM parts also known for its powder metallurgy; and large-format AM expert Caracol (IMTS booth #433039). 

AM trends at IMTS
“We have seen a growing trend of contract manufacturers investing in additive manufacturing technology,” says Andy Snow, senior vice president of EOS North America (IMTS booth #432302), a leading provider of laser powder bed fusion technology. “While prototyping remains a significant application, contract manufacturing for end-use parts is surpassing prototyping in certain industries, particularly aerospace, defense, and medical.” 

Snow also notes that 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.

Other providers of laser powder bed fusion technology at IMTS 2024 include Velo3D, Additive Industries, AddUp, Trumpf, 3D Systems, Xact Metal, SLM Solutions, Farsoon Technologies, Renishaw, and Colibrium Additive.

“Recent studies reveal a significant shift in additive manufacturing, with the number of companies producing more than 10 parts via 3D printing increasing by 111% since 2020, surpassing prototyping figures,” says Emily Elpes, head of human resources and communications at 3DEO (IMTS booth #433149), an AM contract manufacturer. “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.”

3DEO’s Intelligent Layering process offers high precision, real-time quality control and scalability, ensuring efficient and cost-effective manufacturing of complex metal parts. Other contract manufacturers/service providers exhibiting in the Additive Manufacturing Sector include Xometry, GKN Additive, Endeavor 3D, REV A MFG, and Penn United. 

“Anyone who has been to IMTS will tell you that you go to the show to discover what you don’t know,” says Dayton Horvath, director of emerging technology and investments at AMT. “Discovering that service providers can help you reap the benefits of AM without a capital expense or in-house expertise is one great reason to go. Another is to discover some of the unique AM technologies being exhibited and new products being launched at the show.”

Intriguing technologies include those from Tritone Technologies (ceramics), Impossible Objects (composite-based AM), Fabrisonic (low‐temperature ultrasonic additive manufacturing), and Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies (AMBIT heads that allow automated changeover between additive, subtractive, and inspection processes). New launches at IMTS include:

• Meltio’s M600 system featuring its blue laser deposition head that increases printing speed as a result of 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 harnesses the speed, reliability, and efficiency of the company’s large-format EXT Titan Pellet systems.
• Formlabs’ Form 4, which prints two to five times faster than the Form 3+ depending on material, 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.
• Mantlehas 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.

More AM attractions
The Formnext Stage, located at the entrance to McCormick Place’s West Building, will feature presenters from AMT, Gardner Business Media, Mesago, and other leading organizations. These experts will discuss entrepreneurship and business models, as well as adopting industrial AM into production processes. The IMTS+ Tech Hub: Additive Manufacturing (IMTS booth #433037), brought to IMTS by Hexagon and Google Cloud, will stream interviews from influencers and experts in the AM industry. 

The AMT Emerging Technology Center at IMTS 2024 (IMTS booth #236700) 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.

Finally, one of the premier photo opportunities at IMTS 2024 will be the Strati 3D printed car, which returns to IMTS for its 10th anniversary. The car will be located in McCormick Square on the walkway into IMTS.

To find more additive manufacturing technologies, register to attend IMTS 2024 and plan your visit. Use AMT’s Global Housing Solutions for the best hotel booking experience and room and price guarantees.