CHICAGO — A noticeable influx of people and activity fueled the second day of IMTS 2018 at McCormick Place. The increased foot traffic also generated palpable buzz around cutting-edge topics like model-based enterprise (MBE) and Industry 5.0.

In the Quality pavilion, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) software that supports model-based definition (MBD) stood out. Kotem, a leading GD&T software provider and subsidiary of Quality Vision International (QVI), showcased their EVOLVE suite of software products that enable MBD: the practice of using 3D models within 3D CAD software to define a product's specifications. MBE is the strategy by which a 3D model can serve as the authoritative information source for all activities throughout a product's lifecycle, echoing other industry trends like the digital thread and closed-loop manufacturing.