In 2012, IMTS hosted one co-located show from Germany-based organizer Hannover Fairs USA. Following Industrial Automation North America's success, IMTS 2014 is the site of an additional co-located show in the East Building: Motion, Drive & Automation North America (MDA).
Making its first U.S. appearance, one of the show's key themes is what many German manufacturers call “Industry 4.0,” an initiative that has a lot in common with the perhaps more familiar concept of advanced manufacturing—integrating automated sensor and control components in the power transmission, motion control and pneumatic/fluid sectors.
“The thing that comes to a lot of people's minds when they hear about automation is robotics,” says Larry Turner, CEO of Hannover Fairs USA. While robotics have been present at IMTS in the past, MDA’s focus highlights components serving supportive roles. “You can throw technology at a bad process and you'll still have a bad process,” Mr. Turner says. He added that, because process is a key part of efficiency, automation technologies should be viewed as “enablers” that help manufacturers reach their goals, rather than “replacers” of proven processes.
When asked how the IA and MDA shows fit in with IMTS, Mr. Turner described the relationship as complementary, saying that the focus of IMTS “is really providing the technologies for the manufacturers to more efficiently and effectively manage their operations.” For the folks at MDA, that's what automation is all about. Manufacturers are already integrating a range of technologies into both processes and tools, including machine and tool connectivity, self-diagnostics and self-reporting as well as cloud technology. Mr. Turner believes that automation will continue to support processes as well as evolve.
The show goes all week, with the MDA Conference Tuesday, Sept. 9, hosting speakers from German and North American companies.