We’re excited to share our experience at the recent FABTECH 2023 tradeshow, where ALMCO had the opportunity to showcase our industrial finishing and washing equipment. The 2023 FABTECH Expo was held in Chicago, IL at McCormick Place. FABTECH is an event that brings together industry professionals, job shops, and manufacturing companies to explore the latest in technology and solutions for metal fabrication, welding, and manufacturing. Here’s a brief description of how the event went, and what we learned.

Attendance and Atmosphere

At FABTECH, we had the privilege of establishing numerous valuable interactions and gathered a total of 187 leads. Despite experiencing fewer leads compared to previous years, the quality of these leads seemed much higher. What stood out this year was the strong interest in our vibratory equipment, which was particularly attractive to those running job shops and smaller shops. Specifically, those who are heavily involved in cutting and welding processes. It’s no surprise, as vibratory finishing equipment such as our vibratory tubs and bowls align well with the needs of those looking for deburring solutions.

We also observed a perceptible shift in the atmosphere of FABTECH this year, with attendees demonstrating increased focus and intentionality in their search for solutions. This year also marked a departure from the emphasis on engaging with students or large groups merely exploring the event. Instead, FABTECH 2023 seemed to attract a more targeted and decision-making audience. Attendees were genuinely eager to explore and implement solutions for their specific manufacturing needs, reflecting a positive evolution in the dynamics of the event.

Equipment Showcase

We showcased two pieces of vibratory finishing equipment and one industrial washing machine in our booth at FABTECH this year. These included our:

  • SBB-8 Vibratory Round Bowl: The Spiral Bottom Bowl is the newest generation of vibratory round bowl finishing machine. The spiral bottom bowl design allows for a larger open area below the screen to aid in part travel and around the bowl during batch processing.
  • VB-1631 Vibratory Tub: The Value Base (VB Series) vibratory finishing tubs are the most cost-effective tubs in ALMCO’s line of vibratory finishing tubs. Equipped with a sound hood with sound-deadening foam, this tub significantly reduces the noise level created by vibration during the finishing process.
  • RB18-36E Inline Conveyor Washer: Our Inline Conveyor Washer is constructed of stainless steel and allows operators to clean high-volume parts in a multistage process. Inline Conveyor Washers provide continuous, flow-through operation and are available with wash, rinse, and blow-off stages.

One of the highlights was demonstrating the effectiveness of the sound enclosure on our VB Vibratory Tub. Even paired with some of the loudest media we offer, we received encouraging feedback on the enclosure’s functionality from tradeshow attendees.

Industry Trends

A significant and recurring theme of discussion at FABTECH was the emphasis on automation to reduce labor requirements. Attendees were keen on minimizing operator input and considered the cost implications of automation. The need for simplifying processes, reducing the need for constant manual monitoring, and concepts like combining vibratory and washing machines into work cells were discussed. While ALMCO offers robot compatibility with our equipment, it’s worth noting that there wasn’t substantial interest in this feature at the show.

Conclusion

In conclusion, FABTECH 2023 provided us with an exceptional platform to connect with current and potential customers, as well as other industry professionals. Our showcase of industrial finishing and washing equipment was well received, and we gained valuable insights into industry trends and customer needs. The event’s atmosphere was conducive to building meaningful business relationships, and our commitment to automation and simplification aligns with the industry’s ongoing trends. We look forward to continuing conversations with those we met at the show and helping our new and current customers achieve their finishing and washing goals.