On the Cusp of Sustainable Growth

Early in November the Federal Reserve slashed the federal funds rate by another 25 basis points to a target range of 4.5 to 4.75%. Upon that news, the principal economist for AMT—The Association for Manufacturing Technology—opined that manufacturers now may find themselves at the beginning of a strong market.

“During the last soft landing, which began in April 1995, orders of manufacturing technology initially fell along with interest rates, only to rebound to record levels by the beginning of 1998,” says AMT economist Christopher Chidzik. “Should our current episode prove to be the same, the manufacturing-technology industry may find itself at the beginning of another strong market.”

Fresh from attending the two most important tradeshows for our industry, FABTECH in Orlando, FL, and EuroBlech in Hanover, Germany, I tend to agree. While economic concerns loomed at both events, there’s no stopping the quick pace of technology development, nor the intense interest of tradeshow attendees in finding new ways to enhance productivity and quality.

Our staff report from FABTECH, highlights several technology developments presented on the show floor, with more to come on our website, metalformingmagazine.com. And, as noted by PMA president David Klotz, “Reports indicated brisk lead generation and even some on-the-spot sales.”

Likewise, I spied on-the-spot sales of equipment at EuroBlech. And, we’ve also published on our website announcements of some of the new technology presented during EuroBlech, with more to come. One show highlight: the presentation of the prestigious EuroBlech Awards, recognizing six new, innovative developments (among 76 shortlisted as nominees). Among them:

• Trumpf’s TruLaser Series 3000 Bevel Cut Edition, a laser cutting machine capable of edge beveling and chamfering
• Bosch Rexroth’s new servohydraulic drive for deep-drawing stamping presses
• Amada’s EGB-1303Rsa automated robotic-bending cell.

The drive to automate no longer stops at individual machines; top of mind now is finding ways to efficiently, and with little to no human intervention, move material and parts from machine to machine and from cell to cell. Such automated production lines take direction from sophisticated production-control software connected to a metal former’s ERP and MES systems, and leverage vision systems and artificial intelligence to adapt to changing business and shop-floor conditions. 

Technology such as this will spawn our industry’s sustainable growth; we look forward to keeping you informed, in 2025 and beyond!