Show Report: 2023 Del Mar Manufacturing Show
As digital technologies transform the manufacturing industry, the Del Mar show has become the U.S. equivalent of Hannover Fair.
The future of manufacturing is fully connected, as evidenced by the exhibits at the 2023 Del Mar Manufacturing Show. Manufacturers, suppliers, and industry experts came together April 25-27 to share the latest manufacturing industry trends, products, and technologies, including a wide variety of advanced interconnects. The show featured exhibits from manufacturers and suppliers, showcasing everything from robotics and automation to 3D printing and advanced materials.
This was Connector Supplier’s first Del Mar, but we go where the connectors are, and the connectors — plus cables, antennas, sensors, processing equipment, materials suppliers, and industry organizations — were out in full force in Southern California. As manufacturing moves from the mechanical era to the digital landscape of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things, interconnects have become even more integral to connected and automated manufacturing. We had the chance to see the latest interconnect products for power, high-speed data, robotics, and rugged industrial applications, and learn about technologies that are already changing the way goods are manufactured, packaged, and enter supply chains.
Attendees saw examples of the latest technologies in action on the manufacturing trade show floor and learned about how they can be integrated into a wide range of industrial processes.
Many of the connector manufacturers products were displayed at manufacturers representatives’ inline booths staffed by sales representatives who shared information on design considerations and product options. Discussions between manufacturers’ reps, distributors, OEMs, and end-users generates valuable feedback to manufacturers on customer needs and preferences; these conversations help manufacturers develop future products and improve existing ones. We also observed interactions between suppliers and customers. These shows are invaluable for understanding the features and benefits of different products, learning about the best products for specific needs, and picking up useful guidance on installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
At manufacturing reps booths, we saw products from leading connector suppliers, including Advanced Interconnections (AIC), Amphenol Pcd, CarlisleIT, Cinch Connectivity Solutions, IMS Connector Systems, Indium Corporation, ITT Cannon, JAE, KYOCERA AVX, LEMO, Metz Connect, Mill-Max, Molex, NorComp, Radiall, Samtec, Schleuniger, TE Connectivity, WAGO, Weidmuller, and many others.
The distributor booths included Arrow Electronics, Digi-Key Electronics, Heilind Electronics, Mouser Electronics, Sager Electronics, and TTI.
In addition to the exhibit hall, the Del Mar Manufacturing Show featured a full schedule of educational sessions and workshops led by industry experts and covering a wide range of topics related to manufacturing, including trends in automation, lean manufacturing, supply chain management, and more. Arrow Electronics hosted several of these presentations, including a microchip seminar and a vision design session. Other topics included cyber security, compliance, UI/UX interfaces, wire harness testing, 3D printing, PLC controllers, additive manufacturing, and flexible circuit design. A planned AI session was cancelled, but the topic was still generating buzz throughout the event.
The show makes it clear: The future of manufacturing will be a collaboration between humans, AI, robotics, and automation. But at this show, the human element took center stage. In the post-pandemic era, the return of these opportunities has been invigorating. We’re already looking forward to next year.
To learn more about the companies mentioned in this article, visit the Preferred Supplier pages for Advanced Interconnections, Amphenol Pcd, Arrow, CarlisleIT, Cinch Connectivity Solutions, Digi-Key Electronics, Heilind, IMS, Indium Corporation, ITT Cannon, JAE, KYOCERA AVX, LEMO Connectors, METZ CONNECT, Mill-Max Mfg. Corp., Molex, Mouser Electronics, NorComp, Radiall, Sager Electronics, Samtec Inc., Schleuniger, TE Connectivity, TTI Inc., WAGO, and Weidmüller.
Like this article? Check out our other Trade Shows, Manufacturing, and Connector Industry News features and our 2023 and 2022 Article Archives Article Archives.
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