Manufacturing USA Celebrates Innovation, Collaboration, and Education at IMTS 2024
In early September, the Manufacturing USA network returned to the largest trade show in the Western Hemisphere: IMTS. Building on a terrific showing in 2022, over 70 representatives from the Manufacturing USA network, including nine participating institutes, joined 89,000 registrants to learn about the latest in manufacturing technology and also to share information about the network’s advanced manufacturing mission and resources. Network representatives spoke on show stages, connected with attendees in the Manufacturing USA exhibit booth, and engaged with young learners in the Smartforce Student Summit.
Located in the Automation Hall in the North Building, the Manufacturing USA booth focused on innovation, collaboration, and education. The space featured a “Knowledge Bar” with a rotating schedule of informative talks throughout the week. Attendees had an opportunity to hear about EPIXC’s focus on decarbonization, MxD’s CAPITOL program, and robotics initiatives from the ARM Institute. In addition, BioFabUSA shared information about scalable systems in biofabrication, America Makes discussed how they’re driving the adoption of additive manufacturing, and staff from the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing provided overviews of the Manufacturing USA network.
Celebrating 10 Years of Manufacturing USA
The network celebrated its tenth anniversary with several special sessions, including “A Decade of Driving Innovation: Manufacturing USA Networking Event,” on the IMTS+ AfterWords stage. On the Main Stage, Mike Molnar (NIST), Christine Longroy (LIFT), Berardino Baratta (MxD), and Bernd Raithel (Siemens), kicked off Thursday’s programming with a discussion of the network’s critical contributions to addressing industry challenges, its success in commercializing innovation, and the vision for its future role in maintaining and enhancing U.S. industrial competitiveness. Other network-related sessions included CyManII’s “Cybersecurity Help Is Closer Than You Think.” Stay tuned for recorded interviews that took place at the Creator’s Lounge and IMTS+ Unwind.
Smartforce Student Summit
At the Smartforce Student Summit, attendees of all ages could learn more about robotics via RoboticsCareer.org with the ARM Institute or explore facets of a career in manufacturing with the Manufacturing USA’s Modern Makers booth. IACMI, the composites institute, showcased two of their signature education and workforce development programs, America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) and METAL, with interactive displays.
There was also a special “Modern Makers: Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing” session in the Student Summit Amphitheater. Students were able to hear directly from three Modern Makers, Olivia Morales (CESMII), Rodrigo Perez (MxD), and Kim Lemay (BioFabUSA), on how they found their way into manufacturing careers, advice for those looking into the industry as a career choice, and what skills they think will be needed in 5-10 years.