When the doors closed on the 27th edition of Bi-Mu, the biennial Italian machine tool, robot and automation exhibition, more than 60,047 attendees had passed through the halls of the Fiera Milano Exhibition Center in Milan to visit more than 1,223 exhibitors. Organizers say attendance figures confirm the exhibition’s status as an important event for the manufacturing industry worldwide, with 2,996 international visitors from 75 different countries and with 44 percent of exhibitors hailing from abroad.
Alfredo Marriotti, director general of Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre, the association that promoted the event, says closing data for the show reflected economic trends. “Just as the 2008 exhibition posted record numbers in line with trends in the economy and the sector, this edition suffered to some extent from the crisis that blocked investments for 2009 as a whole,” he says. That said, exhibitors “expressed general satisfaction for the outcome of the event, which we hope will be another step toward re-launching activity for machine tool, robot and automation manufacturers.”
The exhibition, which took place October 5 through 9, showcased approximately 3,000 machines. Most Italian builders don’t offer commodity machines, opting instead for custom models that are geared toward the customer’s application. Common features include interchangeable spindle heads that enable users to adapt to changing production conditions; designs that enable complete part machining in one setup; and automation equipment such as pallet changers.
Very large boring and milling machines were a common sight on the show floor, and many builders touted their benefits for energy applications—especially wind turbines, a lucrative market in Europe and a growing one in the United States. Large machines require large rotary tables and other components, which were also well-represented at the show. In another notable trend, rotary transfer machines are increasingly incorporating features that enable more flexible production of smaller lot sizes.
A slideshow at MMS Online details some of the technology that caught our eye at Bi-Mu. To see it, click the link under "Editors Picks" at the top right of your screen.
For more information about Bi-Mu, visit bimu-sfortec.com.
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