The next edition: 3-March 8, 2008

Between 6 and 11 of March took place in the exhibition centre BEC, Bilbao Exhibition Centre, the 24 BIEMH, the largest exhibition of industrial character in Spain and one of the most important fairs in the world of machine tools. The event was attended a total of 49.168 people, 39.706 of them professional. Technological trends pointed in the last EMO have been confirmed and took advantage to make public the edition of the next edition: 3-March 8, 2008.

Co-organized by BEC and AFM (Association of manufacturers of machine tools), in this its 24 Edition and after 45 years since its inception, some data that guarantee the relevance of the competition are the most 55.400 square metres NET occupied exhibition spaceover 757 exhibitors direct, from Spain and 17 foreign countries or over 1,752 trademarks from 33 countries represented at the different booths. A relevant data is also the fact that there was an increase of 17 per cent in the number of visitors from 72 countries, international. Portugal, France, Italy and Germany have contributed greatly to this result, as well as Japan, China, India, Holland, Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Morocco, Turkey, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Colombia.

In this way, during 6 days, specialists of the sector had a very advanced showcase of Spanish machine tools with applications in different sectors emphasizing, as on previous occasions, automotive, aeronautical, mold and matrix and railway. At a time in which the sector opts for prudence to moderate growth in the export prospects for the year 2006, the BIEMH has shown the current situation of manufacturing technologies and the bet for this sector by the technological innovation as key to their competitiveness.

Special mention deserves the CENIT project submitted by Spanish machine tool sector to the CDTI whose objective is the development of "Advanced technologies for the teams and processes of manufacture of the 2015". The project has been recently approved and with him, 23 companies and 17 research organizations pursuing a technological leap without precedent in the sector. The study contained in the project are the Eco-máquina, precision and productivity, the E and new processes led respectively by Nicolás Correa, Danobat, Fagor Automation and Etxe-Tar.

In summary, the 24 BIEMH showed the delicate situation in the sector who, having overcome a period of crisis structural marked by the globalization of markets and production, look to the future with optimism and caution before moderate growth prospects. While no major technology trends have been marked Yes development strategies already observed in the recent EMO´05, such as the bet by the development of value-added services (software), design of machine as a machining and not product have endorsedmultifunctionality, environmental impact control and cooperation for technological innovation as a way to competitive positioning in a highly changing scenario.

In response to the number of exhibitors by product sector, first of all is "Verificator grubbing-up" with 399 stands, followed by "Verificator for tool" with a total 300 exhibitors and "Verificator for deformation with 208 stands of the 1,752 brands present in the BIEMH." The main centres of interest of the exhibition for visitors were, in addition to the sample as a whole, the sectors of machines by start of swarf, tools and accessories for machine tools, automation of production systems, machines for deformationwelding, cutting and flame cutting, as indicated in surveys conducted during the celebration of the event.

As the number of visitors, a total of 49.168 people, 39.706 of them professional, visited the 24 Edition of the Spanish machine tool biennial.

Both foreign visitors and national visitors the main centres of interest of the exhibition were, in addition to the sample as a whole, areas of machines by start of swarf, tools and accessories for machine tools, automation of production systems, machines for deformation, welding, cutting and flame cutting, as indicated in surveys conducted during the celebration of the event.

Many visitors were interested in machines of Hermle (Delteco)

Ibarmia joins the trend towards multifunctionality.

The machine tool manufacturers Association (AFM) has pointed out that "However and with regard to the initial expectations raised, have received inquiries of interest and improved expectations for realization of orders for the coming months". Even AFM sources confirmed that several commercial operations, some of them of great magnitude have been closed during the celebration of the event.

There were also numerous exhibitors attending the BIEMH on behalf of foreign manufacturers that reported MetalUnivers on operations carried out in the fair. An example is Intermaher which, with nearly 500 companies visiting your stand (12.8 per cent more than in the 2004 biennial) and sales closed in itself fair amounting to 1.18 million euros, makes a positive assessment of the fair.

Large audience interested in Danobat group.

From a technical point of view include the domain and generalization of technologies in high speed machines, machined of 5 controlled axes and multi-functional and flexible machines, linear motors, as well as significant improvements in terms of ergonomicssecurity, aesthetics ecology and design. Broadly continues the evolution, already observed in earlier events, toward the inclusion of the machine as part of the overall solution provided. In this way the leaders have opted for differentiating aspects such as the monitoring and management of data of máquina-proceso - tool-piece, the monitoring integrated production with the use of Inet technologies, greater involvement with clients (CRM), suppliers (SCM) and end users with a particular emphasis to the modules and techniques of training and training or the options of telediagnosis and remote assistance in support of global networks of technical assistance. There have been major advances in the subsector of deformation machines aimed at forming new materials and new processes.

In other sectors, such as the Metrology, Hexagon explained the new potential of the company (see report in this number of MetalUnivers). Was also significant presence of the Innovalia Metrology Unit (Innovalia Metrology), composed of companies Trimek, Unimetrik and Datapixel, which introduced the new machine for measuring Trimek Vulkan, high-speed OptiScan optical sensor - star product of Datapixel -, and the revolutionary verficication system of measurement for Unimetrik machine-tool TetraCheck machines. Also, other products presented are MovilScan of Datapixel arm or measurement Trimek Spark machine. There was great interest shown by the integration of the OptiScan Datapixel sensor in a Cartesian robot Stäubli, what makes this combination in a powerful measuring cell. Precisely, the added value of Innovalia Metrology lies in the ability of integration of their products in machines already existing in the market, and bring the concept of metrology to the production of any business line.

We turn now to comment on some new or noteworthy aspects seen in the exhibition, unpretentious show with comprehensiveness, everything presented. MetalUnivers has been based on the opinion of experts of the sector and an approach to own when choosing the products mentioned here. There is more detailed information on many other exhibitors in the special of the BIEMH, corresponding to February issue.

The software already has a fundamental presence in all machines and would merit an article separate. But it can not be mentioned to Mazak (in Spain, Intermaher), that it submit its 6th generation Mazatrol CNC. The CNC includes intelligent treatment of thermal aspects and security, active control of vibrations, mechanized virtual and advice by voice. It also includes in its offer a service of preventive maintenance (SMP).

In another field, Sisteplant presented cases of companies that have achieved a quantum leap in its competitive situation due to the introduction of the model of Lean Manufacturing management and support of information systems.

It showed important developments in his solution of knowledge management in plant, which is composed of the Captor production management system, and the solution of management of maintenance Prisma3, which have incorporated functional and technology, resulting in a suite of innovative and technologically advanced industrial management

In addition to a new user with high potential customization interface, the new version of Captor features innovations that configure you as a key tool in the management in real time of the plant, demonstrating and quantifying the loss of value in the supply chain and feeding with accurate information, corporate Lean Manufacturing management environments.

Sisteplant is already developing innovations to Captor. Its unique technology Eventrack will be incorporated in the next versions, allowing management by exception-driven events.

For its part, the series of Prism products for the management and maintenance, offers the scoop of the new solution Prisma3, a new development in totally web architecture (Microsoft.net).

Abgam - group Segula Technologies introduced Manager documentary Ever Suite, a solution for corporate content ECM "Enterprise Content Management" that facilitates management and access of information to employees, partners and customers.

Following along the same lines, another important PDM that Abgam is also provider, is Smarteam. Considered a good system of management of technical information, give solution to 80 per cent of the common problems that occur in a company. On the other hand Catia is a CAD/CAM/CAE tool that provides a wide range of integrated solutions.

Every day, the mechanical design is oriented to manufacturing. In this sense, the vision of ABGAM consists of include digital production processes as a way of obtaining economies in the complete cycle of the product. In this way, Digital manufacturing includes all processes and the integration of products and resources, encompassing the entire lifecycle of their manufacture.

Autodesk also had things to tell. Of its 7 million users worldwide, 2 million work in the industry, so it has strengthened its presence in this sector during 2005 through acquisitions such as Solidynamics (dynamic analysis integrated in Autodesk Inventor Pro), Engineering Intent (Configurator) and Alias (Advanced surfaces). The new product launches this year are AutoCAD Mechanical 2007 (a 2D solution for mechanical engineers that improves the performance, structure more accessible and tool bars apara migration), AutoCAD Electrical 2007 (to create precise electrical designs in less time), Autodesk Inventor 11 (for higher productivity when working with large designs). Autodesk Vault 5, Autodesk Productstream (to load existing Vault design data with ease and have support for the most common workflows without having to leave the CAD application), Autodesk Streamline 7-Autodesk Intent.

Punching machine rug, at the Mahenor stand.

In the field of the punching and folding, highlights the presence of leading world manufacturers. The stand of beloved referred to the label of Ecoproducts, which reflects the efforts made in its improvement from the ecological point of view with regard to previous models. It focuses on the design of the machines to improve in aspects such as saving energy, resource efficiency, environmental considerations during the use… Also presented in premiere a new machine the LC-3015X1NT laser with a speed of 30 m/min cutting and 3050x1526x20mm work. In General, emphasis in the retail price factor as aspect especially key in the decision to purchase in the area of punching. Also the technologies most directly linked to the sheet, highlight the stand of Goiti, about national solutions for bending and punching.

In response to the trend that the development of the machine tool has given in recent years (90 per hundred mechanic and electric % 10 of the 80/90 years has been to 35 percent mechanical)(, 30 percent electricity and 35 percent of software currently) the big manufacturers have shown an increased interest and dedication to aspects of the software.

See also...

• BIEMH 2006: optimism and caution prevailing (part 2)