If you didn't visit the IMTS Show in September, you missed an opportunity to see some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment on display at any one time in the U.S. And while it is impossible to reconstruct the entire show in the pages of AMERICAN MACHINIST, we are highlighting technologies from a special group of companies that participated in the AMERICAN MACHINIST Checker Club.
There is no doubt that these 20 companies are leading edge in terms of advanced technology. Each of the participating manufacturers has a story to tell about its products and how its technology contributes to helping manufacturers produce parts better, faster, and cheaper.
While some of the companies produced checkers on the show floor, others machined them at their facilities and brought them to the show. The only specifications given to the checker members were diameter and thickness. The rest was left up to them. Even the choice of material was their choice.
What these participants passed out and what show attendees received were checkers made from an array of processes, each demonstrating a special application.
AMERICAN MACHINIST asked show attendees, who collected all the checkers, to vote for their favorites in pre-established categories. And with over 2,000 votes cast, one company stood in the forefront with the best allround checker.
The Hydromat checker truly caught the attention of the attendees and came away with the gold in every category. The silver and bronze awards were more evenly divided, and I'm sure you will recognize all the names in those categories. Each is a big-time player in the metalcutting industry and deserves to be recognized for its individual achievements promoting productivity in the manufacturing sector. Unfortunately, as with any competitive event, there is only one award for first place. And that selection clearly went to Hydromat Inc., St. Louis.
You will find the voting results by category, followed by a one-page write-up from each of the Checker Club members that describes the equipment, process, and other pertinent information used to produce its checker. These writeups are intended to provide you with relevant information and should be used as a productivityenhancement guide.
Finally, we have received many positive comments on the Checker Club from show attendees and exhibitors wishing to participate in another checker event. Please e-mail me with your thoughts and suggestions on this. I would like to know if you enjoyed collecting the checkers and meeting the many participants. Even more importantly, I would like to know if you found it useful in learning and gathering information to help make informative decisions pertaining to productivity improvements.
Tom Grasson
Publisher/Editorial Director
[email protected]
