What Is IMTS?
IMTS—short for the International Manufacturing Technology Show—is one of the largest and most influential trade shows in the world, specifically dedicated to the manufacturing industry. Held every two years in Chicago, Illinois, at McCormick Place, IMTS attracts participants from over 100 countries, including industry leaders, engineers, designers, and innovators, to showcase and explore the latest advancements in manufacturing technology.
IMTS serves as a comprehensive platform where companies can exhibit cutting-edge machinery, equipment, software, and systems designed to improve manufacturing efficiency, precision, and productivity. The show covers a wide array of sectors, including metalworking, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing (3D printing), digital manufacturing, and more. With exhibitors coming in from across the globe, the event features an extensive range of products, from CNC machines and tooling systems to the latest in AI-driven manufacturing processes.
One of the key features of IMTS is its emphasis on education and knowledge-sharing. The event hosts numerous conferences, workshops, and seminars where industry experts present insights on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Topics such as Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, sustainable production, and cybersecurity are commonly explored.
For attendees, IMTS offers a unique opportunity to network with peers, form partnerships, and stay updated on the latest technological advancements that are shaping the future of manufacturing. Additionally, the show often serves as a launchpad for new products and innovations, making it a required destination for those seriously invested in the manufacturing industry. Whether you are a small business or a global corporation, IMTS provides the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
RMT Takes Its Show on the Road
From its inception, Revolution Machine Tools has been involved in showcasing its metalworking marvels every year at industry trade shows like IMTS and FABTECH and will be exhibiting at both shows in 2024.
During IMTS 2024, RMT will be occupying booth #338692 in the South Building at McCormick Place in Chicago from September 9-14, 2024. Their booth is scheduled to include the following gems from their lineup of cutting-edge equipment:
- PIPE SPOOL MASTER™ TGB 24 CNC
- S-GENIUS™ CS 16-16 Fully Automatic Servo Column-Type Straight Cutting Bandsaw
- S-SMART™ P 11-12 Automatic Pivot-Type Straight Cutting Bandsaw
The spotlight in RMT’s booth will be on their featured PIPE SPOOL MASTER™ machine. This groovy grooving machine is a must-have for anyone performing serious work in the pipe fabrication industry. The most popular of RMT’s series of CNC pipe spool working machines, the TGB 24 CNC threads, grooves, and bevels the ends of pipes up to 24″ in diameter, all while the pipe itself remains stationary.
The TGB 24 CNC has a 24.8″ facing head diameter with a 29″ swing, a 5.5″ X-axis stroke, a 23.6″ Z-axis stroke, and can reach spindle speeds up to 300 RPM. Besides threading, grooving, and beveling (which is where it gets “TGB” from), this model of PIPE SPOOL MASTER™ can also perform boring, chamfering, tapering, facing and other functions.
TGB 24 CNC models have become game-changers in the industry for several reasons:
- They are extremely safe. Unlike a lathe which rotates the workpiece, the pipe stays stationary in all TGB machines, mitigating the risk of injury to the operator.
- They are budget friendly. TGB machines cost only a fraction of the equivalent capacity through spindle lathes.
- They save space. Each TGB machine has a much smaller footprint than a corresponding lathe, helping you do more with your shop floor space.
- They have no limitation on pipe length. Unlike lathes, a TGB machine can accommodate a pipe of any length, provided it can be supported by stands or a crane.
- They are easy to set up and operate. Even a beginner can quickly learn to load, program, and run a TGB 24 CNC like a pro.
- They feature quick tool changes. Tooling can be rapidly switched on a TGB machine to perform a different operation on the same (or a new) workpiece.
- They are fast. The TGB line of machines can do in minutes what often used to take machinist hours using other equipment.
- They are low maintenance. TGB machines require only minimal maintenance to keep running without serious issues arising.
- They are portable. No need to bring the workpiece to the shop when you own a TGB 24 CNC—it can be transported into the field so that the work can take place on-site.
RMT’s PIPE SPOOL MASTER™ won’t be hogging all the glory in booth #338692 at IMTS 2024, however. Significant traffic will be headed towards RMT’s S-GENIUS™ CS 16-16, a fully automatic dual-column servo bandsaw ideal for steel service centers and steel production facilities. With a 16.5″ round workpiece capacity (16.5″ x 16.5″ maximum square workpieces), this 10 HP machine can tackle the larger jobs that shops with 12″ saws simply can’t handle.
More than just a simple metal-cutting saw, the S-GENIUS™ CS 16-16 is a fully automatic servo feeding and cutting system. RMT’s bandsaws are available in four series or types: manual (S-ECO™), semi-automatic (S-FAB™), automatic (S-SMART™), and the “super automatic” S-GENIUS™ series. What makes this bandsaw a “genius” is that it understands why different material types (such as I-beam, pipe, or angle iron) need to be cut in specific ways and it self-adjusts to provide the cleanest cut possible. It also knows how to maximize blade life by speeding up or slowing down based on the material.
If you need a high-end metal-cutting machine that isn’t quite as fancy as anything in the S-GENIUS™ line, the smart choice might be another bandsaw on display in RMT’s booth at IMTS 2024: the S-SMART™ P 11-12. This automatic bandsaw uses a pivot-type downfeed and can make 90° cuts in round workpieces up to 11.8″ in diameter (or 11.8″ x 12.6″ rectangles). Featuring variable cutting speeds, the S-SMART™ P 11-12 has a 3 HP main motor, a 1/2 HP hydraulic motor, and a 1/3 HP feed motor.
Please Visit RMT at IMTS 2024
Whether you own or manage a large manufacturing facility or are simply a small-time fabricator looking for solutions to your current metalworking project, IMTS 2024 will feature machines you need to see and techniques you need to learn.
If you attend, please drop by booth #338692 for a visit and check out the machines that Revolution Machine Tools will have on display. Their representatives will be happy to discuss your ongoing requirements and recommend the perfect machines to get your jobs done right and done on time. From press brakes to plate rolls to fiber lasers, RMT offers the equipment your shop needs.
The 2024 International Manufacturing Technology Show will be held from September 9th through the 14th, 2024, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.
