LIFT, the Department of Defense-supported national advanced materials manufacturing innovation institute, operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII), today announced that it will introduce its new state-of-the-art Advanced Metallic Production and Processing Center (AMPP) in the new year solving a critical gap in addressing advanced materials challenges across the U.S. industrial base.

Coverage of IMTS and MINExpo International will continue on the PTE website through the end of the year and into 2025. We're excited to share the stories and new technologies discussed at both trade shows in September.

When manufacturing leaders, job shop owners, engineers, and designers want to see what their operations might look like in the near future, one of their must-visit destinations is AMT’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC) at IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show. IMTS 2024 runs Sept. 9-14 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Festo introduces its newest generation of Cartesian-handling-system mechanical axes. The ELGD-TB, tooth belt actuators, and ELGD-BS, ball screw actuators, are based on an innovative Festo design. 

RoboDK announces its strategic partnership with Comau, a global leader in advanced automation solutions and robot manufacturer. The latest version of Comau Roboshop Next Gen software seamlessly integrates with RoboDK, making simulation more advanced. 

Igus announces its new iglide i230 3D printing material for selective laser sintering (SLS). This new powder material can withstand temperatures up to 110°C, expanding the use cases for SLS-printed polymer components.

Steel, iron, and aluminum are the dominant materials in the mechanical power transmission industry for good reason: high power density requires the high strength and stiffness of metallic materials. Plastics, however, offer valuable features that should be utilized for good gearbox design.

Velo3D, Inc. announced Kratos SRE, Inc., a subsidiary of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., has acquired a Velo3D Sapphire printer to support Kratos’s technology development and ability to rapidly, reliably, and affordability address defense industry customers’ evolving requirements.

GKN Aerospace has boosted its commitment to sustainable manufacturing, with a £50 million (600 million SEK) investment in additive fabrication technology in Trollhättan, Sweden. GKN Aerospace has been at the forefront of additive fabrication for almost two decades, and has significant research and technology centers in Sweden, the UK and the US.

Velo3D, Inc. has announced its Sapphire family of 3D printers are the first to achieve the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Green-level STIG (Security Technical Implementation Guide) Compliance. The certification allows Sapphire printers to be connected to the DoD’s Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and gives customers the confidence their metal 3D printers are hardened against potential cyberattacks.