VDW - German Machine Tool Builders` Association

At this year’s METAV 2018, there will be a forum on sawing technology being held for the first time on 20th February. It will be showcasing the latest developments and presenting applicationally relevant solutional approaches for simple single-blank cutting in a workshop environment all the way through to mass-production blank cutting.

In the second quarter of 2017, order bookings in the German machine tool industry fell by seven percent compared to the preceding year’s equivalent period. Domestic orders were down by 27%, while export orders rose by four percent. In the first half of 2017, total order bookings shrank by one percent, with domestic orders decreasing by 15%. Order bookings from abroad were up by six percent. Forming technology is performing better than metal cutting machinery.

For the first time at this year’s EMO Hannover, a research symposium will be held; under its aegis, the latest scientific developments will be presented. The VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) is in conjunction with the WGP (German Academic Society for Production Engineering) organising the ‘Production for Tomorrow’ symposium. It will be focusing less on digitalisation and Industry 4.0 than on the numerous innovations in the fields of classical technologies.

Despite the currently weakened vigour of its economy, Malaysia remains an attractive export market for German machine tool manufacturers. Admittedly, the forecasts for machine tool consumption in 2017 are only very cautiously optimistic, but as from 2018 annual growth rates of around three percent are again being predicted.

You can’t really miss it; the whole world is talking about 3D printing, additive manufacturing and generative multi-layer construction technologies. Nevertheless, this is a long way from meaning that the classical machine tool is going to be pensioned off. The EMO Hannover 2017 will be showcasing an international banquet of production technology – with alternative processes as the highly auspicious icing on the cake.

  Progressively emerging as the crucial factor in the race for leading technology and market shares in the future, Industry 4.0 is essential for companies to develop. However, time is running out for the German machinery and plant manufacturers.

There is an issue with the safety of machine tools that needs to be addressed, and it certainly will be at the EMO Hannover 2017 EMO Safety Day. Complex machinery, high speeds, and high power levels can be a dangerous mixture for the operator. Nevertheless, machine tools are very safe products.

  With EMO Hannover approaching, Emag has announced it will be highlighting new Industry 4.0 solutions that serve to interconnect sensor, operating and production data with the analysis and process know-how of the company's engineers.

It has been announced that Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will in September be ceremonially opening the EMO Hannover 2017. “We are absolutely delighted that our head of state will be honouring the EMO Hannover with his presence, and thus unequivocally affirming the high level of perceived importance accorded to the nation’s industrial sector,” said Carl Martin Welcker, General Commissioner of the EMO Hannover, commenting on the EMO Preview 2017.

Acting as major beacons of hope for international manufacturers of production technology, the US has its re-industrialisation programme, and additionally Mexico has evolved into one of the world’s most important automaking locations. However, since the beginning of this year at the latest, industry representatives all-round the globe have been wondering where it is heading, the US-American economy, and what is to become of its southern neighbour Mexico.

New approaches for strengthening mutual feedback between the academic and business communities will be explored at EMO Hannover 2017, taking place 18-23rd Spetember in Germany. In line with the EMO’s motto of ‘Connecting systems for intelligent production’, the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) is therefore organising the Industry 4.0 Special Show area, on which Fraunhofer and university-affiliated research institutes of the German Academic Society for Production Engineering (WGP) will be showcasing the latest advances in networked production technology.

This year at EMO Hannover, a big focus will be on exploring new approaches for strengthening mutual feedback between the academic and business communities. In line with the EMO’s motto of ‘Connecting systems for intelligent production’, the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) is organising the Industry 4.0 special show area, on which Fraunhofer and university-affiliated research institutes of the German Academic Society for Production Engineering (WGP) will be showcasing the latest advances in networked production technology.

There is a lot to look forward to this year, including many events, one of which is EMO Hannover. The event that happens every two years is back in Hannover, following a four-year break. The world’s premier trade fair for the metalworking sector is this year taking place from 18th to 23rd September 2017. The thing to look out for, and at the same time will not be missed at this year’s event, is connectivity and digitalisation.