Manufacturing Technology Series WEST 2025: making new technology work on the floor
Machine tools, automation and the challenge of adopting new methods came together in Anaheim.
Manufacturing Technology Series WEST took place October 7–9, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center. The event connected equipment and tooling discussions with the organizational work needed to bring a new process into production.
A substantial technical program
The organizer’s recap reported more than 350 exhibitors, 52 speakers and 64 sessions, providing 24 hours of educational content. The program covered factory cybersecurity, automation and robotics alongside other manufacturing topics.
For a production business, that mix matters because installing a machine and successfully adopting a process are different tasks. The equipment conversation needs to include the people, information and working methods around it.
Visitors came with operating problems
A product engineer identified as Francisco L. described bringing a team with materials, coding and automation expertise from Mexico. Another participant, Jose D., described seeking outside collaboration to address demand at his business.
These comments, published by the organizer, illustrate two uses of a manufacturing show: building knowledge across disciplines and finding capacity beyond the company’s own floor.
Tooling demonstrations and the adoption question
Kennametal’s roadshow appearance brought cutting tools into the hands-on program. A separate panel addressed adoption of new technology and change management, with participants from Methods Machine Tools, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence and Mursix.
The connection is practical. A tooling change may require a different setup or inspection routine, while a larger automation project can alter how several people coordinate their work. The implementation plan should be part of the comparison from the beginning.
Begin with a representative part
For a machining trial, choose a part that reflects normal work rather than the easiest demonstration. Document material, setup, inspection requirements and the interruptions the operation routinely encounters.
Compare the complete process, including preparation and rework, with a clear baseline. A shorter cutting cycle is useful only when it contributes to the outcome the factory needs.
Make the handover explicit
Before a new process enters regular production, decide who owns training, program changes and troubleshooting. Give operators a way to record problems and feed them back to the people responsible for the implementation.
The most valuable result from a show like WEST is a clearer route from an idea to repeatable work. A realistic trial and an agreed handover make that route easier to follow.
Source: SME/Manufacturing Technology Series WEST, 2025 recap and audience report; photos: SME