IMTS 2026 Opens in Chicago: AI, CNC, Robotics and Automation Take Center Stage

IMTS 2026 is officially underway in Chicago, bringing the global manufacturing technology industry together at McCormick Place from September 14–19. The opening day is already highlighting a major shift across the industry: CNC machine tools remain at the center of production, but artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, software, metrology and connected manufacturing are increasingly being integrated around them.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2026 has opened its doors in Chicago, turning McCormick Place into one of the world’s largest concentrations of manufacturing technology.

Produced by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, IMTS 2026 runs from September 14 through September 19 and covers machining, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, digital manufacturing, software, quality and other production technologies.

According to current IMTS show data, registrations had reached 80,697 as of September 14. IMTS describes the 2026 exhibition as the largest manufacturing technology show in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, approximately 1,800 exhibitors, thousands of live demonstrations and an expected audience of more than 89,000 people.

For manufacturers, however, the numbers are only part of the story.

The bigger story emerging from IMTS 2026 is how quickly traditional machine-tool technology is converging with AI, robotics, software and data.

IMTS 2026: What Is Happening in Chicago?

IMTS 2026 is taking place at McCormick Place in Chicago from September 14–19, 2026.

The show brings together manufacturers, machine-tool builders, automation companies, robotics developers, software providers, cutting-tool companies, metrology specialists and other technology suppliers.

The official IMTS program is organized around a broad manufacturing technology ecosystem that includes:

• CNC machining
• Machine tools
• Automation
• Robotics
• Artificial intelligence
• Digital manufacturing
• Additive manufacturing
• Software
• Metrology and quality
• Tooling and workholding
• Connected manufacturing
• Workforce and manufacturing education

IMTS is also hosting the Emerging Technology Center, Main Stage programming and IMTS+ experiences focused on technologies and issues shaping the future of manufacturing.

IMTS 2026 by the numbers

Show: IMTS – International Manufacturing Technology Show
Dates: September 14–19, 2026
Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
Producer: AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
Exhibit space: More than 1.2 million square feet
Exhibitors: Approximately 1,800
Current registrations: 80,697 as of September 14
Expected attendance: More than 89,000
Industry focus: Manufacturing technology, machining, automation, robotics, AI, software, additive manufacturing and digital manufacturing

The Biggest IMTS 2026 Story: AI Is Moving Toward the Factory Floor

Artificial intelligence is one of the clearest themes surrounding IMTS 2026.

The important change is that manufacturers are no longer discussing AI only as a software or analytics technology.

At IMTS 2026, AI is being connected to:

• Robots
• CNC machines
• Machine monitoring
• CAM programming
• Metrology
• Digital twins
• Production planning
• Shop-floor execution
• Engineering workflows
• Automation systems

This is creating a broader transition from traditional automation toward intelligent and increasingly autonomous manufacturing systems.

The distinction matters.

Traditional automation generally follows predefined rules and programmed sequences.

AI-enabled systems can potentially use data, perception, models and adaptive decision-making to respond to changing conditions.

That does not mean every factory is becoming autonomous overnight. Instead, IMTS 2026 is showing how AI is gradually being inserted into specific manufacturing workflows where it can address productivity, engineering time, quality, labor constraints and production complexity.

Universal Robots Unveils Gen 7 at IMTS 2026

One of the most significant opening-day robotics announcements came from Universal Robots.

The company introduced its Gen 7 robotics platform at IMTS 2026, positioning the new generation around industrial automation and physical AI deployment.

According to the company’s announcement, Gen 7 is redesigned from the controller through the tool flange and is designed to be AI-ready.

The platform includes new G-Series robot arms, a redesigned controller and updated software architecture.

Universal Robots has introduced three new G-Series models:

• UR10g-1750
• UR17g-1300
• UR18g-950

The new platform is designed to support applications involving machine vision, sensing, force control and other technologies associated with physical AI.

Universal Robots also says its new tool flange provides power, data and safety functionality directly at the tool, supporting cameras and high-bandwidth sensors.

The significance for manufacturing is larger than a single robot launch.

It points toward a future in which robotics platforms are increasingly designed to interact with AI systems, sensors and software rather than operating as isolated programmable machines.

Vention Brings Physical AI and Agentic AI Together

Another important AI story around IMTS 2026 is coming from Vention.

Vention is demonstrating what it calls an AI-defined automation approach that combines Physical AI and Agentic AI.

Physical AI is focused on machines and robots interacting with the physical world.

Agentic AI operates at the software and system level, helping with tasks such as automation design, programming, deployment and troubleshooting.

At IMTS 2026, Vention is demonstrating its MachineAgent system and Physical AI applications.

The company says MachineAgent can use natural-language prompts to assist with automation layouts, industrial programs and operating-data analysis.

Vention is also demonstrating AI-enabled robotic applications involving perception, grasping and collision-free motion planning.

The company’s booth is located at 236860 in the North Hall.

AI Is Also Entering CAM and Engineering

The AI story at IMTS 2026 goes beyond robotics.

The official IMTS press-conference schedule includes Limitless Labs, which is presenting its Limitless CAM Agent under the headline:

“60 Toolpaths in 4 Minutes.”

The announcement is significant because CAM programming remains one of the major engineering activities between a digital part design and physical production.

If AI can reduce the time required for programming while maintaining engineering control and manufacturing quality, it could have implications for high-mix and complex machining environments.

However, the real manufacturing question is not simply how quickly AI can generate toolpaths.

The important questions are:

• Are the toolpaths technically correct?
• Can engineers validate them?
• How does the system handle complex geometries?
• How does it respond to material and tooling requirements?
• Can it integrate into existing CAD/CAM workflows?
• Can manufacturers trust the output?
• How does AI affect post-processing and machine-specific requirements?

These questions will be important as AI moves from demonstrations toward production environments.

MachineMetrics Brings AI Into Manufacturing Operations

MachineMetrics is another company highlighting AI at IMTS 2026.

The company is presenting an AI-powered operating system for manufacturers, with its opening-day media briefing scheduled at its booth in the East Building.

MachineMetrics focuses on production intelligence and manufacturing operations data.

Its technology illustrates another important direction at IMTS:

AI does not necessarily need to control a machine to change manufacturing.

It can also analyze production information, machine utilization, operational performance and manufacturing workflows.

For machine shops, that can be particularly important because improving productivity does not always require buying another CNC machine.

Understanding where existing capacity is being lost can sometimes be equally valuable.

FANUC Connects CNC, Robotics, Physical AI and Digital Twins

FANUC is also making AI and automation a major part of its IMTS 2026 presence.

The company is demonstrating robotics, automation, CNC technologies, digital twins and virtual commissioning solutions at Booth 338900.

FANUC’s current technology direction combines its established CNC and robotics portfolio with physical AI and simulation technologies.

The company has also highlighted collaboration with NVIDIA around physical AI, simulation and digital-twin technologies.

This is particularly relevant to machine shops because CNC machining and robotics are increasingly being treated as parts of the same production system.

A CNC machine can perform the machining operation.

A robot can load and unload the machine.

A vision system can identify parts.

Software can coordinate production.

A digital twin can simulate the process before physical deployment.

AI can potentially help optimize or coordinate parts of that workflow.

That is the broader manufacturing architecture being demonstrated at IMTS 2026.

DN Solutions Brings CNC and Additive Manufacturing Together

CNC machining remains the foundation of IMTS 2026, and DN Solutions is demonstrating how conventional machining can increasingly be integrated with additive manufacturing.

DN Solutions is showcasing its AM2CNC platform at IMTS 2026.

The system combines additive manufacturing and CNC machining in a connected workflow.

The planned demonstration involves a metal preform produced through additive manufacturing and then machined into a finished component.

DN Solutions has highlighted the amount of post-processing that can be associated with additive components, including finishing, drilling, tapping and inspection.

The AM2CNC concept attempts to reduce the number of disconnected steps between additive production and final machining.

This is an important development because additive manufacturing does not necessarily eliminate CNC machining.

In many industrial applications, additive and subtractive processes can complement each other.

Additive manufacturing can create material where it is needed.

CNC machining can then provide dimensional accuracy, surface finish and final geometry.

The result is increasingly being described as hybrid manufacturing.

Okuma Is Preparing Four Americas Debuts

CNC machine-tool launches remain one of the biggest reasons manufacturers watch IMTS.

According to the official IMTS press-conference schedule, Okuma America is presenting four machines making their Americas debut during IMTS 2026.

The company’s program also includes new automation systems from Okuma Factory Automation and an update on its Global Repair Center.

This highlights another major IMTS theme:

Manufacturers are looking beyond machine specifications alone.

Machine performance is increasingly being evaluated together with:

• Automation
• Workholding
• Tool management
• Pallet systems
• Production monitoring
• Service
• Repair
• Software
• Connectivity

The modern CNC machine is becoming part of a larger production ecosystem.

Siemens Highlights Industrial AI and the Digital Thread

Siemens is another major technology company emphasizing AI and digital manufacturing at IMTS 2026.

Its IMTS program focuses on Industrial AI and the digital thread, connecting planning, production and machine operations.

The digital-thread concept is important because manufacturing data is often fragmented.

Engineering may use one system.

Production planning may use another.

The CNC machine generates its own data.

Quality systems create additional information.

Maintenance has another set of records.

Connecting these systems can provide manufacturers with a more complete view of production.

AI can then potentially use that connected data to identify patterns, support decisions and optimize processes.

Metrology Is Becoming Part of the Connected Factory

Quality and metrology are another important part of IMTS 2026.

The official opening-day press schedule includes:

• Artec 3D
• CIM Solutions
• Google Cloud Manufacturing

CIM Solutions is presenting TouchDMIS, a metrology platform designed for retrofit applications involving measuring arms, CMMs, five-axis systems and laser scanners.

Artec 3D is also presenting a new metrology scanner.

These developments show that the digital manufacturing conversation does not stop when machining ends.

The final component still needs to be measured.

For advanced manufacturing, the increasingly important question is how design, machining and inspection data can be connected.

That creates a potential closed-loop manufacturing model:

Design → Simulation → CNC Programming → Machining → Inspection → Data → Optimization

The more connected that loop becomes, the greater the potential for manufacturers to improve repeatability and reduce process variation.

Kennametal Named NASCAR’s Official Tooling Supplier at IMTS 2026

One of the most notable manufacturing-business announcements from the opening day came from Kennametal.

On September 14, Kennametal announced that it had been named the Official Tooling Supplier of NASCAR.

The designation was unveiled at Kennametal’s Next Level Shop exhibit during the first day of IMTS 2026.

The partnership focuses on advanced metal-cutting solutions and application expertise for NASCAR’s manufacturing operations.

Kennametal says its engineering collaboration with NASCAR has included application support, testing and tooling projects.

The announcement is also a useful reminder of how high-performance manufacturing environments depend on cutting-tool technology.

In motorsport, aerospace, automotive and other demanding industries, machining performance can directly influence production speed, precision, reliability and component quality.

Kennametal is exhibiting at Booth 431800 in the West Hall.

What IMTS 2026 Is Really Showing

After looking across the opening-day announcements, one trend becomes difficult to ignore.

The future of manufacturing is not one technology.

It is the integration of multiple technologies.

CNC machines are not disappearing.

Robots are not replacing machine tools.

AI is not replacing every manufacturing engineer.

Additive manufacturing is not eliminating subtractive machining.

Instead, these technologies are increasingly being connected.

A future production cell may combine:

CNC + robotics + AI + sensors + vision + CAM + metrology + cloud software + digital twins

That integration is arguably more important than any single machine launch.

Why IMTS 2026 Matters for CNC Machine Shops

For CNC machine shops, the biggest takeaway from IMTS 2026 may be practical rather than futuristic.

Manufacturers are facing several familiar challenges:

• Skilled-labor shortages
• Pressure to increase machine utilization
• Increasing part complexity
• Shorter production lead times
• Higher quality expectations
• More data across the factory
• Demand for flexible automation
• Need to reduce setup and programming time

The technologies being demonstrated at IMTS 2026 are increasingly aimed at those exact problems.

Robotics can automate repetitive handling.

AI can assist with engineering and production decisions.

CAM automation can reduce programming effort.

Digital twins can support simulation.

Metrology can provide better quality feedback.

Machine monitoring can expose unused capacity.

Hybrid manufacturing can combine additive and subtractive processes.

The objective is ultimately the same:

Produce better parts, faster, more consistently and with less wasted capacity.

What to Watch During the Rest of IMTS 2026

The show has only just started.

The official IMTS press schedule already points to several major announcements later in the week.

On September 15, scheduled press events include:

• Siemens and TRAK Machine Tools
• DN Solutions America
• SW North America
• Murata Machinery
• Okuma America
• Hexagon

SW North America is scheduled to announce a new large-format CNC machine.

DN Solutions is scheduled to provide company updates, new product introductions and manufacturing technology information.

Murata Machinery is focusing on automation.

Okuma is scheduled to discuss its four Americas-debut machines and automation systems.

Hexagon is highlighting AI, automation and metrology.

Later in the week, Innova Machine Tool is scheduled to introduce three new product lines for North America, while Chiron America is scheduled to introduce the new CHIRON Group CEO and the Micro5 XL machine.

This means IMTS 2026 is not a single-day news event.

The technology story will continue developing throughout the week.

Machina Today’s IMTS 2026 View

The first day of IMTS 2026 suggests that manufacturing technology is entering another important transition.

The CNC machine remains the physical foundation of modern machining.

But increasingly, the machine is becoming one component inside a larger intelligent manufacturing system.

The most important developments at IMTS 2026 may therefore not be the machines with the highest spindle speeds or largest work envelopes.

They may be the technologies that successfully connect:

Machine + Robot + Software + Data + AI + Quality

That is where the next productivity gains could emerge.

And that is the part of IMTS 2026 Machina Today will continue watching throughout the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IMTS 2026?

IMTS 2026 is the International Manufacturing Technology Show, a major manufacturing technology exhibition produced by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Where is IMTS 2026 being held?

IMTS 2026 is being held at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois.

When is IMTS 2026?

IMTS 2026 runs from September 14 through September 19, 2026.

What technologies are being shown at IMTS 2026?

IMTS 2026 covers CNC machining, machine tools, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, additive manufacturing, software, metrology, tooling and other manufacturing technologies.

What are the biggest IMTS 2026 trends?

The strongest themes emerging from the opening day include industrial AI, physical AI, robotics, CNC automation, digital manufacturing, connected production, additive/subtractive integration and intelligent metrology.

How many exhibitors are at IMTS 2026?

IMTS says approximately 1,800 exhibitors are participating across more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space.

How many people are registered for IMTS 2026?

The official IMTS show planner displayed 80,697 registrations as of September 14, 2026.

What is the biggest manufacturing trend at IMTS 2026?

One of the clearest trends is the integration of AI, robotics, software, data and machine tools into connected manufacturing workflows.