In-Person at the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show 2021

The four-day manufacturing technology event featured keynote sessions and exhibits ranging from robotics and machine tools to 3D printers.

The Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS) took place from October 4–7 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Canada. Although the scale of the event was considerably smaller than in pre-pandemic times, over 100 exhibitors were still present to showcase their latest and greatest manufacturing technologies.

Day One kicked off with a keynote presentation on geopolitics and the associated supply chain challenges. A tech talk by Hexagon’s Peter Darveau subsequently delved into the trends of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.

Engineering.com was present at the scene to check out many of the floor exhibits, which ranged from robotics, machining and inspection tools to simulation products and additive manufacturing technologies.

Here were some of the highlights:

• 1Source Metrology displayed their gauging systems and 5-axis coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).
• KUKA Robotics demonstrated their AI-powered bin-picking robot, which had donned Airskin—a type of “jacket” that allows for a standard robot to work in a fenceless environment, courtesy of its touch-sensitive skin.

• CAD MicroSolutions, a 3D technology distributor, showed off how the Visual Components digital twin platform could be used to design, test and simulate production processes.

• Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH (yes, it’s a mouthful) promoted their Multigrind CB grinding center, which featured 5 axes and a modular multicube design.

• Formlabs demonstrated their Fuse 1 selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printer and large-format Form 3L printer.
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence demonstrated the Absolute Scanner AS1, as well as the Absolute Arm.