AFM, The Spanish Association of Machine Tool Manufacturers
Spain represents their formidable machine tool industry with this site, hosted in multiple languages by SMTBA (or AFM, as they are known in Spain). This site features an excellent listing of machine tool builders, an inquiry system to locate distributors, a thorough representation of the associations services to members, and a fabulous overview of a sometimes overlooked machine tool powerhouse. Also worthy of special note is their Proschools program, "a consortium for exporting machine tools for the education sector, set up under the auspices of (this association) and specialising in equipment for technical training centres and institutions all over the world." A noble and inspirational cause. Visit, and get aquainted with an outstanding organization and market.

CECIMO
CECIMO is the representative organization for most of the European machine tool builders. The CECIMO site includes an impressive collection of info about its member industries. Also included are several technical initiatives currently underway, including those for STEP-NC and a group of "Thematic Network" projects designed to improve data exchange between member countries/organizations.

CNC Times
CNC Times is an online metalworking community and information repository maintained in India. The site contains a wealth of technical info in the form of a library of technical articles. the site has recently undergone a facelift.

Engineering Learning Information Portal (ELIP)
From our friends in the UK comes ELIP, a collection of links and information sources for manufacturing- and machining-minded professionals. Their collections are categorized in relevant sections like aerospace, automotive, and maintenance.

Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association
India's premier machine tool association's Web site has many features available or being developed. Several lists are available for and about the Indian machine tool and metalworking markets. Also, useful membership data, calendars and Indian government information (as it relates to the machine tool industry) can be found here. There are also links to sites representing two trade shows of interest in New Delhi, Imtex and Tooltech. Of course, complete contact information is also available.

Korea Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association
Cyber-home to Korea's premier machine tool association, this site contains membership info, pertinent market statistics, news and more. An outstanding source for machine tool data in Asia.

Lathes
OK, you'll see the title of this—lathes—and think we're overstating or oversimplifying the relevance of this UK-based site. You should hold that judgement until you see it. You'll find LOADS of historical and technical details about nearly every kind of lathe ever made. Also, you can purchase the entire archive on CD for a reasonable fee. To top it off, these folks also offer manuals for many, many older lathes. If turning is your thing, at any technical level, you'll want to see this.

Machine Sources Online
This formidable directory site from Taiwan offers sourcing and research information within several industrial categories, including Machine Tools and other related topics. Access to the data on this site is based on products (Grinding Machines, Metal Cutting Machines, etc.) and the companies that provide them (name, etc.).

MachineTools.it
The ".it" extension? It means Italy, as this site is a portal to the Italian-manufactured machine tool industry. Primarily, you can search across equipment lists and collections from nearly 500 builders in over 1100 categories. But this site aspires to much more, through a utility that processes Requests For Quotes for equipment to the builders that match specific criteria. Also included is an area to submit technical questions and a Business Area. Bella!

PARTserver
Well, they got the "PART" part right. PARTserver is a bit of a mixed bag. Part free, part for-pay, and part "try before you buy," this site offers catalogues and examples of standard parts CAD files from a variety of sources, including many major parts supply businesses. The site is maintained jointly by entities in Germany and Cincinnati, Ohio; some areas of the site are in English, while others (like the forum, unfortunately) are exclusively in German. Pity, because the forums are extensive and run the course of CAD and CAM packages, and would be a welcome addition to the English-speaking, manufacturing and machining Web. That said, if you're looking parts, this site is worthy of your attention.

Swiss Machine Tool Society
The Swiss Machine Tool Society Web site was designed to help you get acquainted with their member machine builders and to help you select equipment from their product lines. Swiss for days.

Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI)
TAMI was organized in 1981 to promote and build the Taiwan machinery sector. THeir Web presence provides a comprehensive suppliers database searchable by name or product category and an absolutely wonderful repository of Taiwanese machine tool and manufacturing statistics. Another must-see if Taiwan's in your company's sights.

Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)
TAITRA describes itself as "(a) non-profit trade promotion organization in the Republic of China on Taiwan (R.O.C.), founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade. TAITRA is jointly sponsored by the government and industrial and commercial associations. They assist Taiwan businesses and manufacturers to enhance their international competitiveness and to keep pace with dynamics of international trade.

TAITRA's Web site is absoulutely loaded with information relevant to any and all that covet business with Taiwan. Their site runs the gamut--every Taiwanese Trade Show of merit, business news, a "virtual Trade Mart," and a "Trade Kit" to help introduce you to the Taiwanese markets.

Taiwan Products On-Line
This Web site is based on a very large, very thorough database of Taiwan-based suppliers of manufacturing equipment. Suppliers are categorized not only by the equipment or services they provide, but also by application (such as Automotive). Well thought out, and a worthy addition to a Bookmarks or Favorites file.

UCIMU
UCIMU is the association of Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots, automation systems and ancillary products. This site includes a database of members, relevant export/import information for the Italian machine tool market, and a calendar and other data regarding the "fairs" and conferences they sponsor. This is the association for the Italian market, and an excellent source of machine tool info there.

VDW
This German-based machine tool organization organizes the EMO Hannover in the "odd" years, as well as other European-based expositions.