America Makes Announces Winners of Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM) Project Totaling $6M

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, announced the winners of the $6M Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM) project funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Additive manufacturing (AM) is of significant interest to the U.S. manufacturing base, particularly within the aerospace and defense sectors. AM technology enables shorter lead times and reduces part weight—providing benefits to both new acquisitions and legacy systems. As this sector matures, it’s imperative to establish data-based qualifications and performance standards for widespread use.

The project is designed to further establish data-driven methods for applying the best attributes of novel AM metal materials.

“We are embarking on an incredibly exciting era across the AM sector. Exploring the possibilities of AM material applications is a step in the right direction with considerable implications for the future of aerospace and defense,” states Brandon Ribic, Technology Director at America Makes. “The Institute is incredibly fortunate to have the support of the Under Secretary of Defense and AFRL and the engagement of the brightest minds in the country who will be collaborating to revolutionize this technology.”

The recipients of the (PADAM) project award are tasked with establishing repeatable and reproducible AM metal operations focused on operational, product, and installation metal material qualifications. Below is the list of award winners:

Topic 1: High-Temperature Refractory Alloys

• Project 1: Maturing AM Technology for C-103 in Hypersonics and Space (MATCHAS)
• Team Lead: Castheon
• Project Team: 3Degrees, Amaero, AP&C Advanced Powders & Coatings, Inc., ATI Specialty Alloys and Components, Benchmark Space Systems, Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, FormAlloy Technologies, Inc., Lockheed Martin, NASA John H. Glenn Research Center, NSL Analytical, Rolls-Royce Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems

Topic 2: High-Temperature Nickel-Based Superalloys

• Project 1: Accelerated Maturation of Advanced High-Performance Ni-Based Superalloy ATI-1700™ for Additively Manufactured Extreme Environment Components
• Team Lead: Boeing
• Project Team: ATI Specialty Metals, Quintus Technologies, RPM Innovations

Project teams will report on their progress at the America Makes Technical Review and Exchange and other industry events during the execution phase of the program.

For more information, visit https://www.americamakes.us/.

ASME Foundation Wins Federal Grant for Registered Apprenticeship Program in Mechanical Engineering Technology

U.S. Department of Labor funding will help train and place community college graduates with employers in manufacturing, clean energy, supply chains, semiconductors, and nanotechnology.

The ASME Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, has been awarded a $3.975 million four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop and implement a national apprenticeship program in mechanical engineering technology. The ASME Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) will provide additional education and training for 270 community college engineering graduates and place them into entry-level engineering technician positions. The grant period runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028. The first training cohort is scheduled to begin in April 2025; applications will open in January 2025.

The DOL’s Apprenticeship Building America grants, announced July 11, “will help build the skilled, diverse workforce needed to support President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act, and reach communities across the country through 52 grantees located in 32 states.”

"This milestone grant addresses the critical shortage of skilled technical workers that puts our national economy at a disadvantage for innovation and progress," said Stephanie Viola, executive director of the ASME Foundation and managing director of ASME Philanthropy. "Apprenticeships are a proven pathway to well-paying technical jobs for diverse community college students and will help close the engineering employment and equity gap, boost economic competitiveness, and significantly advance global sustainability." 

ASME will collaborate with Stevens Institute of Technology, the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement (formerly the National Institute of Innovation and Technology), and SimInsights to launch the program. The ASME RAP will engage community colleges, employers, and local workforce boards to assist individuals who have completed associate degrees but still lack critical skills to bridge their skills gaps. The program will ultimately lead participants to a role as a mechanical engineering technologist or technician. ASME will initially develop the RAP for job roles in manufacturing and advanced manufacturing. Over the course of the grant period, ASME will expand the RAP for roles in clean energy, supply chains, semiconductors, and nanotechnology.         

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than three million technical jobs are currently unfilled in the United States, including approximately 3,700 job openings for mechanical engineering technicians projected each year with an average starting salary of $60,000. Contributing to the employment gap is a severe equity gap, with women representing only nine percent of U.S. mechanical engineers and members of BIPOC communities only 11 percent. The ASME Foundation’s philanthropic programs in engineering education, career resources, and innovation support aim to correct these inequities by empowering more people from underrepresented groups to pursue technical careers. 

Using a “Learn While You Earn” approach, the ASME program will contribute to the development of a skilled, retainable, and sustainable workforce and includes strategies to address diversity, equity, and inclusion. The program will consist of 144 hours of related training instruction for participants who have completed a two-year degree in engineering or a closely related field of study. The instruction will be provided by Stevens Institution of Technology, accredited by The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and will include a combination of augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) instruction developed through SimInsights. The instruction will be followed by at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning with workforce partners. The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement is responsible for deploying a strategy to build the talent pipeline to support strategic industry sectors and is the nation’s leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development. The $3,975,420 Federal grant will finance 85% of the cost of the ASME program and 15% or approximately $600,000 will be financed by non-governmental sources.  

The ASME Registered Apprenticeship Program is an extension of ASME’s Community College Engineering Pathways program, which connects community college and career technical education (CTE) students to opportunities for specialized training, internships, apprenticeships, and jobs. At the same time, it provides resources to community colleges to expand their employer networks and align curricula to the needs of local and national employers. A companion program, HBCU Engineering Pathways, helps engineering students at historically Black colleges and universities expand their professional networks, participate in ASME student sections and activities, and connects employers to graduates of HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions.

For more information, visit www.asmefoundation.org and www.asme.org.

Nikon’s Large-Envelope X-Ray CT System Installed in Hyundai Motor North America’s New Safety, Investigation Laboratory

Nikon Metrology, Inc, and Hyundai Motor North America announced that Hyundai has purchased and installed Nikon’s X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. This represents a significant investment in the success of Hyundai’s newly opened $51.4 million Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) in Superior Township, MI.

Nikon’s X-ray CT system offers a large scanning volume, multi-source flexibility, dual-detector functionality, and an extensive range of enhancements which together provides users of the system with truly exceptional inspection capabilities.

Hyundai Motor North America utilizes Nikon’s X-ray CT system in their STIL facility for important analytic processes, including nondestructive inspection of components such as air bag inflators, lock mechanisms, seat switches, struts, impellers, and additive parts.

“Having the on-site capabilities to view the inner structures and components of materials and mechanisms through the advanced Nikon X-ray CT system provides Hyundai with detailed datapoints that would otherwise take weeks to evaluate,” says Ben Michajlyszyn, director, Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory, Hyundai Motor North America.

The successful collaboration between Nikon Metrology and Hyundai Motor North America is the direct result of their mutual commitment to world-class engineering and manufacturing.

Nikon’s X-ray CT systems have been built to handle the most demanding inspection tasks in the manufacturing world, both now and in the years to come. “The multi-tube, multi-detector configuration delivers a highly flexible system capable of producing top-quality results on small, low-density components such as impellers as well as on larger, multi-material assemblies such as airbag inflators. This flexibility to do more on a single system can yield a greater ROI and the ability to adapt to Hyundai’s needs as their business and inspection requirements advance,” says Chris Peitsch, Global Sales Manager, Nikon Metrology.

Hyundai, in turn, utilizes the X-ray CT system to ensure the quality, safety, and functionality of the components that make their way into Hyundai’s award-winning automobiles. Measurement is fast, efficient, and accurate, and the nondestructive nature of the inspection is critical. Using destructive techniques on charged devices such as airbag inflators would represent potential hazards for inspectors on site at the STIL, whose mission is to increase safety for Hyundai customers and employees alike. Nikon’s X-ray CT systems are an important part of that effort, and it is representative of the valued, ongoing partnership between Hyundai and Nikon.

For more information, visit www.industry.nikon.com or www.hyundaiusa.com/.

MSI Viking Announces Strategic Partnership with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

MSI Viking announced a major new partnership in the Americas with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, a division of Hexagon. This collaboration is set to enhance MSI Viking’s offerings in coordinate metrology, further solidifying its commitment to delivering excellence in the field.

Dan Carter, president of MSI Viking, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. This decision was driven by our commitment to represent and resell the very best in coordinate metrology. By aligning with Hexagon, we are not only expanding our product portfolio but also enhancing our ability to service what is sold. This collaboration allows us to leverage Hexagon’s cutting-edge technology and integrate it with our extensive expertise in metrology and calibration. Together, we are poised to deliver unparalleled value to our customers.”

Paul Rogers, president and CEO, the Americas and Asia Pacific for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, shared his perspective on the partnership, saying, “At Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, exceeding customer expectations is at the core of what we do. As we continue our expansion in the Americas, we’re committed to being a complete technology partner for all the manufacturers we work with. That means providing our customers with the hands-on support they need, whenever they need it. Partnering with MSI Viking, who has a deep penetration of the southeastern U.S. manufacturing market with over 10,000 active customers across automotive, aerospace, defense, medical device, and general manufacturing segments, is a strategic move to deepen our support for manufacturers across America. MSI Viking’s strong metrology and calibration engineering expertise combined with their dedication to customer service, ensures this partnership will bring significant benefits to our customers.”

By combining MSI Viking’s local market knowledge and technical expertise with Hexagon’s advanced metrology solutions, customers can expect enhanced service, support, and access to the latest technological advancements in coordinate metrology.

For more information, visit hexagon.com/mi.

Fabtech Launches New Emerging Leaders Program for 2024

Fabtech announced the launch of its 2024 Emerging Leaders Program. This new initiative is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the manufacturing industry by providing young professionals with vital leadership skills and insights. Tailored for individuals aged 20-30, the program aims to inspire, challenge, and prepare participants to become influential leaders in their fields. Fabtech will take place from October 15-17, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, showcasing the latest industry trends, live product demonstrations, and innovations.

“Fabtech’s Emerging Leaders Program is a significant step toward fostering the next wave of leaders in the manufacturing sector,” said Tracy Garcia, CEM, group director – Fabtech Series at SME. “Our aim is to provide young professionals with the skills and insights needed to drive innovation, enhance their leadership capabilities, and contribute to the future success of their organizations.”

Emerging leaders will benefit from a comprehensive, three-day schedule that includes a keynote luncheon, interactive workshop, guided show floor tours, and exclusive networking events. This program is designed to help attendees navigate challenging times, manage stress effectively, enhance communication and emotional intelligence, foster a positive workplace culture, and sharpen public speaking skills.

For companies, the program offers substantial advantages by investing in leadership development. This proactive approach not only prepares organizations for future challenges but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. By supporting their employees' growth, companies demonstrate a commitment to innovation and excellence, positioning themselves as leaders in the industry.

The three-day Emerging Leaders Program includes a variety of sessions designed to provide hands-on learning experiences and networking opportunities:

Day 1: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024

Welcome Luncheon and Keynote (11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET): Lisa Ryan, founder and chief appreciation strategist at Grategy, will kick off the program with insights on public speaking and networking. Ryan, an expert in employee engagement and retention, will share strategies to improve communication skills and build a strong professional network, essential for career advancement in the manufacturing industry.

Guided Show Floor Tours (1:30-3:30 p.m. ET): Participants will explore the latest industry trends and innovations across various technology pavilions.

Day 2: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024

Pathways to Influence: Navigating the Journey of Emerging Leadership Interactive Workshop (Noon-4 p.m. ET):

Positioning for Challenging Times: Michele Nichols, president at Launch Team Inc., will discuss strategies for market positioning, including how to identify new opportunities and adapt to market disruptions.

Thriving Under Pressure: M.J. Clark, senior consultant at Integrated Leadership Systems, will offer insights on managing stress effectively and turning it into a leadership advantage, with practical techniques for resilience.

Enhancing Manufacturing Leadership: James Mayer, CEO at TCO Strategies, will provide techniques for improving communication and emotional intelligence, essential for effective team leadership and decision-making.

Gratitude Strategies for a Positive Culture: Lisa Ryan, founder and chief appreciation strategist at Grategy, will share methods for creating a culture of appreciation in the workplace to boost employee engagement and retention.

Fabtech Feud: A game show-style session hosted by Kelly Hamilton, senior manager of customer relations at Rootstock Software, featuring industry experts discussing popular tech trends in manufacturing.

Day 3: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024

Exhibitor Booth Visits (1-3 p.m. ET): Attendees will engage with exhibitors for hands-on demonstrations and networking opportunities, connecting with industry veterans and peers to exchange ideas and build relationships.

Garcia added, “The Emerging Leaders Program represents more than just a learning opportunity; it is a strategic investment in the future of manufacturing. By developing young professionals with essential leadership skills and industry knowledge, we are ensuring a continuous pipeline of talent that will sustain and advance the manufacturing sector for years to come.”

For more information, fabtechexpo.com.

Laser Components Germany Honored as “Bavaria's Best 50”

Laser Components Germany is one of the fastest-growing medium-sized companies in the Free State of Bavaria and made the list of "Bavaria's Best 50" in 2024. As a symbol of this success, Patrick Paul, CEO of the parent company Photona GmbH, and Sven Schreiber, General Manager of Laser Components Germany GmbH, received the "Bavarian Growth Lion" from the hands of Minister of State Hubert Aiwanger at the award ceremony.

Each year, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy presents this award to medium-sized companies that achieved an above-average increase in the number of employees and turnover in recent years. In doing so, the Ministry recognizes the economic and social importance of SMEs, as they continue to provide the majority of jobs and apprenticeships in Bavaria whilst their innovative power forms the backbone of Bavarian prosperity.

"We are proud of the fact that our company has grown steadily in the more than 40 years of its existence. This applies to our staff numbers just as much as it does to our turnover," explains Patrick Paul. "As the owner and CEO, it is particularly important to me that we are talking about organic and healthy growth here. We don't think in quarters, but in decades, and this strategy has helped us to survive the crises of the past."

"Being a manufacturer of highly specialized optical and optoelectronic components, we always work closely with our customers," adds Sven Schreiber. "This approach can only be successful with comprehensive face-to-face consultation and support. Economic growth and personnel growth therefore always go hand in hand. It has always been important to our company to offer long-term prospects to qualified and talented employees."

For more information, visit www.lasercomponents.com.

Integrals Power Launches UK’s Zero Emission Pilot Plant to Accelerate LFP Battery Manufacturing Industry

• Integrals Power has started production of its proprietary advanced cathode active materials at its pioneering UK pilot plant, in Milton Keynes

• The pilot plant, the UK’s first, capable of producing 20 tonnes a year, demonstrates the technology will scale to volume production
• Integrals Power’s advanced manufacturing process delivers a Lithium Iron Phosphate nanomaterial with 30% more energy storage capacity, higher performance at extreme temperatures, and greater retained capacity over time
• The nanomaterials are ideally suited to manufacturers of high-performance battery cells for static energy storage, electric vehicle, motorsport, aerospace, and defence applications
• Based on a modular design – developed in-house – the facility can be readily scaled to higher volumes in the tens of thousands of tonnes, helping to accelerate the development of the UK battery industry’s domestic supply chain

Integrals Power has started production of high-performance Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP) cathode active materials at its pioneering new UK pilot plant. This milestone for the UK battery industry will help to accelerate the development of the domestic battery industry and achieve net zero ambitions.

Following successful laboratory trials, Integrals Power is now launching the UK’s first pilot plants producing the company’s proprietary high-performance LFP and LMFP nanomaterials. The new facility has an annual capacity of 20 tonnes, the equivalent to 250 electric cars, which will primarily be used for evaluation by cell suppliers, battery and vehicle manufacturers worldwide.

Establishing manufacturing in the UK is also a boost for the domestic battery industry by reducing its carbon footprint, enhancing supply chain security and transparency, and mitigating geopolitical issues such as import tariffs on EVs and their components. Quality is equally important: Integrals Power’s LFP materials have been assessed as ultra-high purity in a third-party analysis using cutting-edge X-ray diffusion technology to study attributes such as chemical composition and lattice structure of the molecules – these are key to the performance of the material when built into battery cells.

Integrals Power Founder and CEO, Behnam Hormozi, said: “Start of production in our new pilot plant is a key milestone because it enables us to produce our high-performance LFP and LMFP cathode active materials at volume. We believe this is one of the first facilities of its kind in the UK and is exactly the kind of state-of-the-art resource the UK battery industry needs in order to support the sustainable future growth of electromobility.

“The flexibility and scalability we’ve designed into the pilot plant from day one enables us to manufacture different grades of Lithium Iron Phosphate nanomaterials to suit different applications – from long-range electric vehicles through to off-grid energy storage – and to increase capacity to meet demand from customers in the UK and from around the world.”

Developed in-house, Integrals Power has created a modular production facility which can be readily scaled to higher volumes in the future to meet growing customer demand, and also to enable a range of different chemistries to be made. The process takes place over seven stages, and from raw materials to packaged samples ready for customers takes up to 48 hours.

For more information, visit https://integralspower.co.uk/.

NIST Announces Funding Opportunity for AI-Focused Manufacturing USA Institute

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced an open competition for a new Manufacturing USA institute focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to increase the resilience of U.S. manufacturers. 

NIST anticipates funding up to $70 million over a five-year period, subject to the availability of federal funds, for the recipient to establish and operate the new institute. The institute will be required to obtain cost-share funds from nonfederal sources.

“AI has enormous potential to make us smarter, faster and more innovative, but we have to work together to maximize its benefits and mitigate its risks,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Through this new AI-focused Manufacturing USA institute, we will help leverage AI to supercharge manufacturing, empower our workforce and create secure, resilient supply chains.”

“This new Manufacturing USA institute will strengthen the U.S. economy by helping manufacturers make smart use of AI to boost their productivity and increase their resilience in the face of supply chain disruptions and other unexpected events,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio. “We look forward to reviewing innovative proposals that will help domestic manufacturers maximize the potential of AI.”

Manufacturing USA is a national network of institutes that brings together people, ideas and technology to solve advanced manufacturing challenges. All Manufacturing USA institutes are public-private partnerships that catalyze stakeholders to work together to accelerate innovation by co-investing in industrially relevant, cross-cutting advanced manufacturing products and processes.  

The new Manufacturing USA institute will be expected to develop cost-effective, AI-based advanced manufacturing capabilities by collaborating with industry, academia and government. This public-private partnership will integrate expertise in AI, manufacturing and supply chain networks to promote manufacturing resilience. Proposals can cut across multiple industrial sectors or focus on just one.

In addition, the new institute is expected to concentrate its efforts on three primary areas of operation: advancing technology development, developing an educated and skilled workforce, and developing shared infrastructure and facilities. 

All applicants are expected to clearly define their intended outcomes and timelines for delivering them. Proposals must address a compelling U.S. industrial need, demonstrate significant industry buy-in, and avoid duplicating the efforts of existing Manufacturing USA institutes and the planned Department of Commerce-sponsored Digital Twins Institute for Semiconductor Manufacturing.

This competition will have a two-stage application process. Concept papers will be considered in the first stage of the competition. In the second stage, applicants with the best concepts will be invited to submit full proposals. The deadline for submitting concept papers is Sept. 30, 2024.

This competition is open to accredited institutions of higher education; U.S.-based nonprofit and for-profit organizations with majority domestic ownership or control; and state, local, U.S. territorial and Indian tribal governments. 

NIST will host an informational webinar and an in-person proposer’s day event focused on this funding opportunity.

For more information, visit https://www.nist.gov/oam/ai-resilient-manufacturing-institute-competition.

Six Entrepreneurs in the Americas Selected as Regional Finalists for Premier Social Innovation Accelerator 

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has announced the regional finalists of the 2024 ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW), the prestigious international accelerator of hardware-led social innovation. Six social ventures from throughout the Americas will pitch their innovative solutions and participate in an extensive design and engineering review with judges in a virtual event beginning Tuesday, July 23. nnounced at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, August 1, at noon EST. Register here.

The ISHOW USA finalists, whose innovations provide affordable, sustainable hardware technology solutions to building, energy, healthcare, water, and waste challenges, will vie for a share of $30,000 in grant awards and technical support to help bring their impactful innovations to market.

The regional finalists are:

• AirVitalize Innovations (Fairbanks, Alaska, and Los Angeles, U.S.) for its “AirVitalize technology” – that captures outdoor particle air pollution to improve public health and the environment
• ALKEMIO (Buenos Aires, Argentina, and San Francisco, U.S.) for its “Selective Molecular Technology” – that can selectively extract and separate rare earth elements enabling enhanced cost efficiency and revenue optimization throughout the value chain
• Calmura Natural Walls (Vancouver, BC, Canada) for its “Monolithic Biocomposite Building Panel” – valorizing waste agroforestry resources to create bio-based building materials that are durable, healthy, and climate-change resilient, enabling architects and builders to create buildings that store carbon and provide healthy and comfortable shelters for many generations
• EKO GROUP H2O+ COLOMBIA (Bogota, Colombia) for its “EKOMURO H2O+” – Crafted from recycled and repurposed materials, designed to store rainwater, effectively providing sustainable access to safe water in communities previously devoid of it
• NiveauUp (Chicago, Ill., U.S. and Taipei, Taiwan) for its “XFC (eXtreme Fast Charging) battery cell manufacturing and digitization platform” – capable of charging 10X faster, lasting 3X longer, at high energy density level, independent of choices of active materials
• Participant Assistive Products (San Francisco, U.S.) for its “Cub Wheelchair” – a unique, all-terrain wheelchair for children with cerebral palsy and similar conditions, offering tilt and postural support features, folding to fit in small vehicles, and expanding as the child grows, all at a vastly more affordable cost for families and health insurance systems.

The 2024 ISHOW cohort will be invited to the annual ISHOW Bootcamp in the winter to receive an extensive and customized design and engineering review by experts curated to guide them as they scale to market. They will also have a chance to earn a second round of seed grants from ASME. They become part of the ISHOW alumni network, an international community of hardware innovators and stakeholders with exclusive access to experts and resources.

“Through the vision and creativity of these talented entrepreneurs and the guidance of expert mentors, ASME ISHOW and IDEA LAB are transforming groundbreaking ideas into market-ready products that improve lives,” said ASME Executive Director/CEO Tom Costabile. “These programs are key components of ASME’s sustainability and climate strategy, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.”

ISHOW USA is the final regional event of the year. ISHOW India winners were announced April 25 in Chennai, and ISHOW Kenya winners were announced June 20 in Nairobi. Three ventures selected at each event will join the ISHOW 2024 cohort.

The prestigious ASME ISHOW hardware accelerator is open to individuals and organizations taking physical products to market that will have a positive social and environmental impact and improve the quality of life around the world. ASME ISHOW annually matches up to 21 carefully selected innovators with appropriate experts to ensure that the proposed hardware solutions are technologically, environmentally, culturally, and financially sustainable. To date, ISHOW has enabled over 230 startups from more than 35 countries to solve critical quality-of-life challenges for vulnerable populations worldwide. ISHOW alumni have developed affordable devices to address issues including clean combustion, crop threshing, fetal health, food waste prevention, health diagnostics, safe drinking water, and many more that address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

ASME ISHOW judges and facilitators include experts in research, sustainability, mechanical engineering and product design, manufacturing, startup financing, supply chain, and business strategy, representing organizations including Bommer.io, CompanyCam, Google, Manhattan College, The Pennsylvania State University, Very Technology, and Vinyard Product Development. These subject matter experts provide technical and strategic guidance based on ISHOW’s five key pillars: customer/user knowledge, hardware validation, manufacturing optimization, implementation strategy, and impact.

For more information, visit www.asme.org.

Manufacturing Technology Orders Grow in May 2024 Despite Sustained High Interest Rates

Orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $386.7 million in May 2024. New machinery orders were up nearly 22% from April 2024 and up 6.5% over May 2023. This is the first month in 2024 where the value of orders placed exceeded those of the same month the previous year. Through the first five months of 2024, orders have totaled $1.8 billion, a 12.2% decrease compared with the same period in 2023.

Manufacturers have started to realize they can no longer outwait the Fed’s “higher for longer” interest rate strategy. As a result, they are beginning to increase capital equipment purchases to meet the sustained demand for goods and machinery from consumers and businesses even as high interest rates persist. Despite 2024’s mild slump in machinery orders compared to the beginning of 2023, cutting tool orders, as measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report, a collaboration between AMT and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), show 2024 consumption holding steady at record levels. This indicates that despite reported hesitation to invest in additional machinery, production levels remain at an elevated pace, which is confirmed by the measure of industrial production from the Federal Reserve.

Contract machine shops, the largest consumer of manufacturing technology, increased their orders from April to May 2024 but significantly less than the industry’s overall growth. While some OEMs have made additional investments despite heightened interest rates, contract machine shops have consistently failed to keep pace with the overall market throughout 2024.

Electrical equipment manufacturers are having the best start to the year since the record-setting start of 2022. Similarly, manufacturers of power generation and transmission equipment are investing at the second-highest year-to-date rate since 2008. These industries undoubtedly benefit from the government investment authorized by the CHIPS and Infrastructure acts and are therefore less sensitive to interest rates than others.

The automotive sector continued to purchase machinery but at a much slower pace than the previous two years. Vehicle assemblies increased in May 2024 and remain above the average monthly level for this year. Like manufacturers awaiting lower interest rates before investing in machinery, consumers may have grown tired of waiting out the Fed, as new vehicle sales increased in April and May.

The Fed’s interest rate path has thrown a wrench in many economic forecasts since the beginning of the year. The outlook for manufacturing technology orders was no different. The beginning of the year fell well short of expectations, but the lag behind 2023 has narrowed in recent months. Whatever course the Federal Reserve eventually takes with interest rates, the USMTO data shows the appetite for additional manufacturing capacity growing as we approach September’s IMTS 2024 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the largest manufacturing trade show in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information, visit www.amtonline.org.

The IMTS 2024 Conference Sessions Announced

IMTS 2024 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, has announced the full schedule for The IMTS 2024 Conference, which is comprised of 68 sessions across five different tracks: Process Innovations, Alternative Processes, Plant Operations, Quality and Inspection, and Automation. The IMTS 2024 Conference sessions run Monday, Sept. 9, through Thursday, Sept. 12, of IMTS 2024 (Sept. 9-14) and are held in the West Building of Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Powered by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and managed by GIE Media, The IMTS 2024 Conference provides deeper education about the technologies on the show floor. Only IMTS exhibitors are eligible to present, and presentations may not be promotional.

“The IMTS 2024 Conference provides a structured forum to gain practical knowledge and learn how to implement advanced technologies,” says Bonnie Gurney, vice president of strategic content and partnerships at AMT. “The IMTS Conference enables visitors to connect with the experts who are addressing their most pressing needs, as well as interact with peers facing similar challenges and issues.”

“For The IMTS 2024 Conference, GIE Media’s manufacturing team reviewed more than 200 conference submissions – the most ever – and selected the 68 presentations we felt would be the most insightful and helpful to attendees,” adds Mike DiFranco, group publisher, GIE Media.

More Educational Options

“In addition to The IMTS 2024 Conference, this year’s show also features 10 other conferences, including multiple IMTS ELEVATE conferences, which elevate issues important to the manufacturing community,” says Gurney. “There are three IMTS ELEVATE Job Shops workshops, two IMTS ELEVATE Women Make Manufacturing Move (WMMM) events, and a half-day IMTS ELEVATE LATAM session focused on the high-growth markets of Mexico, Latin America, and Spain.” Two other notable conferences at IMTS 2024 geared to strengthening the industry are the IMTS Supply Chain Forum, which offers insights for more streamlined operations, and the IMTS Investor Forum, which is designed to demystify the $65-billion manufacturing technology industry and offer perspectives on opportunities for investment professionals.

The IMTS 2024 Conference Details

Registration is required for The IMTS 2024 Conference. There are one-day ($295) and four-day ($495) passes, which include access to all conference sessions, full access to the exhibit halls, and a lunch ticket for the day(s) registered. A sample of the presentations includes:

• “Automation for All.” Simon Schneider, director of factory automation at Okuma America (IMTS booth #338500), will explore an array of machine tool and automation systems that can change the game for any manufacturing shop environment.
• “How Generative AI Can Help Close the Manufacturing Skills Gap.” Danny Smith, principal ML strategist at Amazon Web Services (IMTS booth #236217), will share how manufacturers are leveraging generative AI and knowledge management best practices to boost productivity and address workforce issues.
• “Digital Transformation in 5-Axis Machining.” Gisbert Ledvon, vice president of marketing at HEIDENHAIN (IMTS booth #339440), will introduce new CNC and motion control technology that help to increase productivity, improve process monitoring, and address skilled labor shortages with digital tools.
• “Worker-Centric Mobile Robot Integration: Unlocking Manufacturing Excellence.” Denise Stafford, business development manager at KUKA Robotics (IMTS booth #236807), will offer a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with mobile robot integration in manufacturing.
• “Revolutionizing Tool Design and Performance: The Role of Additive 3D Printing.” Mark Blosser, director of technology solutions at CERATIZIT USA (IMTS booth #431900), will dive into the transformative role of additive 3D printing in tool design.
• “Software Transforming the Supply Chain With Manufacturing Quality at the Center.” Sam Golan, CEO at High QA (IMTS booth #134500), will discuss how software can enable quality-driven manufacturing collaborations between suppliers and buyers to eliminate interpretation and reduce costs, risks, and delivery time.
• “Multisensor Metrology Systems: Quality’s Swiss Army Knife.” Jason Grein, program manager, strategic marketing at Quality Vision International (Optical Gaging Products, IMTS booth #134700), will discuss how multisensor metrology systems offer highly accurate measurement results in less time and cost than it would take to do on separate measuring systems.
• “Out of the Lab: Hype vs. Practice for Industrial Digital Twins.” Russell Waddell, secretary, MTConnect Standards Committee at MTConnect, will provide a pragmatic, user-centric guide to what you need to know to adopt cutting-edge technology today and avoid buyer’s remorse tomorrow.

All conferences taking place at IMTS 2024 include:

• The IMTS 2024 Conference: Monday, Sept. 9, to Thursday, Sept. 12
• IMTS ELEVATE Job Shops:
• Make Your Shop a Top Shop: Monday, Sept. 9
• The Shop of Our Future: Tuesday, Sept. 10
• Reception: Tuesday, Sept. 10
• 3D Printing for Job Shops: Thursday, Sept. 12
• IMTS ELEVATE Women Make Manufacturing Move (WMMM): • Reception: Monday, Sept. 9
• Breakfast and Keynote: Wednesday, Sept. 11
• IMTS ELEVATE LATAM: Tuesday, Sept. 10
• IMTS Investor Forum: Tuesday, Sept. 10
• Parts Cleaning Conference: Tuesday, Sept. 10
• The Automated Shop Conference: Wednesday, Sept. 11
• Industrial Laser Conference: Wednesday, Sept. 11
• Ready. Set. Grow!: Wednesday, Sept. 11
• Supply Chain Forum: Wednesday, Sept. 11
• Succeeding With Powder Bed Fusion Workshop: Wednesday, Sept. 11

For more information, visit www.imts.com.

US Cutting Tool Orders Totaled $214.4 Million in May 2024, Raising the Year-to-Date Total 4% Over 2023

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), were $214.4 million in May 2024. Orders decreased 0.1% from April 2024 but grew by 1.8% over May 2023. Year-to-date shipments totaled $1.06 billion, up 4% from shipments made in the first five months of 2023.

“May’s results indicate that production levels remain strong, but I think the historically high numbers can be somewhat attributed to inflation,” observed Jack Burley, chairman of AMT’s Cutting Tool Product Group. “Backlogs are coming down, and most job shops are no longer working overtime, but they’re still dependent on the core customer base they support. A side benefit is that shops now have time to test new products and work on process improvements rather than focusing on hitting their shipments every week.”

Alan Richter, editor-at-large of Cutting Tool Engineering, noted: “Through May 2024, shipments of cutting tools continued to show a slight increase in the year-to-date percentage. However, the near-flat growth in recent months is partly due to the challenges faced by aerospace and defense manufacturers. Like most manufacturers, they have needed to overcome supply chain snags, longer lead times, and a shortage of skilled workers, even while demand for their products is relatively strong as geopolitical instability unfortunately grows and the demand for global air travel climbs."

For more information, visit www.amtonline.org.