MDA AUG-SEP 2018 FINAL AUG-SEP 2018 DIGITAL | Page 13

IMTS 2018
diverse and improved results, then he
must explore the new Control and CAD-
CAM technologies at the show.”
Toeing the same lines, Peter R. Eelman,
Vice President – Exhibitions & Business
Development at AMT (The Association
for Manufacturing Technology, which
owns and produces IMTS) while
referring to the CNC controls states,
“CNC controls are a vital part of the
digital thread that extends from cutting
tools to ERP systems. At the 2016
edition of IMTS, most of the exhibitors
were talking about connected controls.
This year, visitors can experience
connected manufacturing at IMTS
2018 – from design to part as never
before.”
Controls are becoming all the more
powerful in addition to becoming easier
to use and handle. Eelman further
states, “The controls graphic interfaces,
applications and connectivity have
expanded their functionality so
operators can make intelligent decisions
and take immediate action on the shop
floor. Visitors can experience a rich
opportunity to interact with the digital
world of manufacturing at the IMTS
2018 and can also witness how these
facilities can improve results in their
operation.”
The Next Level -
Connected Controls
Leaving behind the era of USB ports to
load a part file or program into a CNC
the contemporary controls connected
to CAD-CAM systems allow the operator
to access data, part files and set-up
sheets in a secure environment without
ever leaving the machine.
Ledvon utters that the IMTS visitors will
experience the usage of technology to
ease out the functioning of machines.
They will be able to see how control
manufacturers have placed a greater
focus on importing more data into
the machine control via MTConnect-
enabled devices.”
Machine controls will also enable
operators to switch the NC program
between the desired functions which
will offer the job shops the freedom
to decide how and when they want to
combine machining methods. It is a
august-september 2018 | Global MDA Journal | 13