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International Manufacturing Technology Show -IMTS 2026
September 14 - September 19
CAM Conference Trade Show -IMTS—the International Manufacturing Technology Show—is one of the world’s largest exhibitions devoted to manufacturing technology and the largest event of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the six-day show brings together manufacturers, machine-tool builders, engineering-software companies, automation providers, tooling specialists, metrology suppliers, and production-technology experts. September 14–19, 2026 – McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
Unlike an event focused on a single software category, IMTS allows attendees to examine the complete path from digital design to physical production. Exhibits cover CNC machining, CAD/CAM software, additive manufacturing, robotics, automation, inspection, tooling, workholding, controls, digital manufacturing, and other technologies used to make parts and operate modern factories.
The show is especially relevant to manufacturing engineers, CNC programmers, machinists, shop owners, production managers, engineering leaders, and companies evaluating new equipment or seeking ways to improve manufacturing productivity.
Why attend IMTS 2026?
IMTS gives attendees the opportunity to compare manufacturing technologies in a working, production-oriented environment rather than relying entirely on brochures, online demonstrations, or isolated sales presentations.
Visitors can see machine tools cutting real parts, examine CAM and simulation workflows, discuss postprocessors and machine compatibility, compare automation systems, and speak directly with the companies responsible for implementing and supporting the technology.
For CNC shops and manufacturers evaluating CAM software, this is particularly valuable. A CAM system cannot be assessed independently from the machines, controllers, cutting tools, fixtures, inspection processes, and automation it must support. IMTS brings many of those interconnected systems together under one roof.
Attendees may use the event to:
- Compare CNC machines and manufacturing processes
- Evaluate CAM, simulation, and digital-manufacturing software
- Discuss postprocessor and controller compatibility
- See robotics and factory automation operating in person
- Explore additive and hybrid manufacturing technologies
- Compare cutting tools, workholding, probing, and inspection systems
- Meet software vendors, machine-tool builders, resellers, and applications engineers
- Investigate technologies that could reduce programming time, setup time, scrap, or machine downtime
- Attend technical and business education sessions
- Identify potential partners, suppliers, and implementation resources
The IMTS 2026 educational program includes the main IMTS Conference along with specialized programs addressing job shops, women in manufacturing, industrial artificial intelligence, investing, and Spanish-language technical education.
Because the event is extremely large, attendees should review the exhibitor directory and use the IMTS Show Planner before arriving. The official planning tools allow visitors to identify priority exhibits, build a day-by-day itinerary, and receive recommendations based on their interests.
Who should attend?
IMTS is particularly useful for:
- CNC machine shops
- Manufacturing engineers
- CAM programmers
- Machinists and production leaders
- Aerospace, automotive, medical-device, marine, and industrial-equipment manufacturers
- Companies considering new machine tools
- Manufacturers planning automation projects
- Engineering teams connecting CAD, CAM, inspection, and production
- Students and early-career professionals exploring manufacturing technology
For a shop considering a major machine-tool, CAM, automation, or inspection investment, IMTS offers something that is difficult to reproduce online: the ability to compare competing approaches, ask detailed technical questions, and examine how individual technologies fit into a complete manufacturing system.
IMTS is not simply a place to see what is new. It is an opportunity to determine which technologies could realistically work with a company’s existing machines, people, processes, and production requirements. Considering the size of the show and number of exhibitors, nobody should arrive at McCormick Place without a carefully planned list of machines, software companies, and technology areas they want to investigate
Note: SolidCAM World 2026 at IMTS
SolidCAM will also host SolidCAM World 2026 at McCormick Place during IMTS. The separate customer and prospect session takes place September 16 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and includes demonstrations of SolidCAM 2026, AI-assisted manufacturing workflows, upcoming technologies, customer results, and the SolidShop digital-manufacturing ecosystem. Separate registration is required.