Thousands of manufacturers looking for new ideas attended WESTEC 2017 in Los Angeles, where 538 companies exhibited advanced manufacturing and machine technologies. From the buzz on the show floor to the presentation Q & As, California’s local and state officials, public-private partnerships, and businesses are committed to the future and expansion of the manufacturing industry in the Golden State.
Waterjets, robotic arms, CNC machines, 3D printing, workholding devices, metrology equipment, cybersecurity systems and more, packed the Los Angeles Convention Center and turned it into an adventurous playground for those involved in machining and tooling operations.
“WESTEC generated many leads for us! We’ve just begun a unique project with a first-time customer in a new industry for us,” said Melanie Lang, co-founder of Formalloy, an advanced additive metal technology company located in Spring Valley, Calif. “We appreciated the quality attendees, social events, and excellent organization of WESTEC. It was the perfect event to promote our company to a diverse set of industries. We’re looking forward to exhibiting at WESTEC 2019 in Long Beach.”
Owners of small machine shops to employees from large organizations like SpaceX and Apex Tool Group were among those in attendance. “WESTEC was a valuable experience. I definitely found what I was looking for and discovered some newer technologies including colored laser etching that we will definitely pursue," says Alonna Marable, advanced manufacturing engineer, Apex Tool Group.
Not only could attendees look, hear, and operate a vast array of advanced technologies, they could also attend complimentary presentations, engage with experts and colleagues in “Huddle Ups,” gain inspiration from manufacturing celebrities, and with the future workforce on the Student Innovation Tour.
WESTEC 2019 - Long Beach, Calif. Exhibitors cheered when AMT and SME announced that WESTEC 2019 will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center, in the heart of Southern California’s manufacturing landscape.
With 1.3 million people employed in the manufacturing industry across a diverse base of business sectors (from aerospace, automotive and defense to consumer products, medical, and energy), California is a manufacturing hub driving innovation and spurring the industry forward.
The most popular presentations at WESTEC included everything on SMART (digital) manufacturing, as well as those on workforce solutions and business development with OEMs. Justin Fishkin, Chief Strategy Officer of Local Motors, captivated attendees with Industry Transformation - Reinventing How Vehicles are Built. Local Motors designed and built the world’s first 3D-printed car at IMTS 2014, the Strati; and Olli, their 3D-printed, self-driving shuttle bus, which gave rides at IMTS 2016. Local Motors' vehicles displayed at WESTEC were a hit!
