Readying Your Shop For Success

IMTS 2004 will showcase innovative technologies that will help manufacturers better compete in today's global economy.

Just ask John B. Byrd III, president of AMT — The Association For Manufacturing Technology. He says manufacturers should expect a major upswing in North American manufacturing production within the next 12 months. He adds that domestic manufacturers are in a great position to bid competitively against overseas manufacturers for contracts because of rising international shipping rates, improving North American productivity, changes in currency values, and demand for raw materials.

Byrd contends that the boom in the North American manufacturing sector will be "unlike anything we have seen in the last quarter century." He also reasons, "If there has ever been a year when companies should attend the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), this is it. Those who visit the show with the mindset of preparing for upcoming business will be ready to bid on and win the contracts that will most surely be coming down the road."

AMERICAN MACHINIST's editors agree with Byrd about the importance of IMTS 2004. That's why we have invested a good portion of our 2004 editorial in a series of articles intended to help manufacturing management better evaluate their metalworking-process needs and implement new process technologies on their shop floor.

In January, we introduced "American Machinist Manufacturing Co.," a virtual shop that had just won a contract and was preparing itself for new work. Our "company" combated offshore competition by investing in innovative process technologies to stay competitive.

Over the past seven months, we've examined equipment and financing — everything from machines and tooling to software and quality-inspection systems. We hope that the series, posted on americanmachinist.com, has helped our readers become betterinformed consumers, ready to tackle the largest metalworking show in North America.

The culmination of our efforts is this issue, which previews innovative process technologies at IMTS 2004. Here's your chance to "kick the tires" of the latest and greatest machines and tools — many of which are making their worldwide debut in Chicago.

When you get to the show, make the AMERICAN MACHINIST booth, CL-1, your first stop (it's easy, we're in the main concourse lobby). There, you can pick up IMTS AT-A-GLANCE (a handy, pocket-sized guide for the show), sign up for e-newsletters, and take part in our Jobshop Benchmarking Survey. But most importantly, you can check out the Checker Club.

What's the Checker Club, you ask?

Well, we've given you hints all year long about what our virtual shop is producing. Our contracted job involves checkers — both round and hex-shaped. We've been evaluating equipment to make these checkers.

The Checker Club gives you a special opportunity to collect a commemorative checker set. The gameboard and machined checkers are only available at IMTS 2004 — and just for a limited time. The set is courtesy of AMERICAN MACHINIST and a group of leading metalworking companies participating in our Checker Club.

Stop by our booth and you'll get a button that identifies you as a Checker Club participant and a list of Checker Club Member companies. Once you've collected the set, return to the AMERICANMACHINIST booth to pick up your checkerboard and walk through the Accu-Port to see if you are a prize winner. While there, vote for your favorite checkers in several manufacturing and design categories.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity to see innovative metalworking technologies, shop around for advanced manufacturing technology, and collect a free, limited-edition checker set — all at the same time.

We hope to see you at the show. And as always, we value your input.