Biennial METAV show highlights manufacturing technology and growth sectors

METAV presents modern production technology throughout the process chain, from individual machines to complete production systems. It is organised by VDW, the German Machine Tool Builders' Association from Frankfurt am Main, Germany. At the most recent METAV in 2010 about 700 exhibitors presented their products, solutions and services on more than 32,000 m² of net stand space. They attracted some 45,000 trade visitors from 26 different countries. By the beginning of November, a good three months before the METAV 2012 opens its doors, 480 exhibitors from 22 different countries had signed up. In addition to individual exhibitor displays, there will be special events appeal to specific individual customer groups. • "Metal meets Medical" is all about medical technology (Video is taken from METAV 2010) In co-operation with media partners, Siemens is organising a special medical technology stand with the title "Metal meets Medical". A wide variety of different metal-processing applications for the booming medical technology market will be presented there, in line with the motto "From individually customised solutions to mass production". The Special Show, in Hall 15, will see the involvement of partners from the fields of CAM software, tools, metrology and machine tools, with companies such as: DMG Mori Seiki GmbH, Bielefeld; EB Turn-Key GmbH, Tuttlingen; esgemo GmbH & Co. KG, Mosbach; the CNC Arena, Cologne; E. Zoller GmbH & Co. KG, Pleidelsheim; Iscar Germany GmbH, Ettlingen; Open Mind Technologies AG, Wessling; and Renishaw GmbH, Pliezhausen taking part. In a virtual factory, work preparation routines will be illustrated using a team centre and NX CAM. The focus here is on holistic planning and implementation of the crucial production steps in connection with the workpiece, efficient utilisation of resources, and standardisation of the process concerned, plus its continuous improvement. There will be a first-time presentation and live demonstration of an optimised process chain for cost-efficient production of customised knee endoprostheses. From customised joint replacements to mass production of standard workpieces, visitors to the METAV can see for themselves the added value provided by all-inclusive solutions for CNC manufacturing as exemplified by genuine applications on show in a technology arena. Medical technology products will be manufactured live there, using machine tools operating different machining technologies. The special show will be rounded off by a complementary forum, organised by the trade magazine DeviceMed. In daily lectures and panel discussions, experts will be illuminating the intricacies of new tools, materials and machine tools for medical technology and the specific idiosyncrasies of this sector. In addition, users will be providing some empirical feedback from actual production operations. • NRW clusters are demonstrating production skills from North Rhine Westphalia North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) will be demonstrating its production efficiency skills again, with a joint NRW stand at METAV 2012. Different facets of the surface engineering, production technology, energy and material efficiency and automotive industries will be on show. • A conference about "Progress with production technology as electromobility develops" is being held alongside the trade fair. • Fibre-reinforced composites for lightweight structures – special show with lecture forum Lightweight structures are a central issue in many different industrial sectors. The automotive and aircraft manufacturing industries in particular frequently use CFRP materials to save fuel. This makes new demands on product development, construction and manufacturing technology. Together with the trade magazine Maschinenmarkt and the Carbon Composites Alliance from Augsburg, VDW is organising a special show about this called "MM CompositesWorld Area". It will be presenting modern manufacturing and automation solutions for processing fibre-reinforced composites. The special show will be accompanied by a lecture forum for suppliers in the following areas: machining technology, laser technology, quality testing, connection technology, automation and metrology. • "Machine manufacturing – a job with power" aims to attract technical recruits With the campaign "Machine manufacturing – a job with power", the VDW recruitment foundation aims to attract well-qualified young people to the machine tool industry. It will again be providing young people from technical schools and vocational colleges about the metal professions, the requirements on apprentices and engineering graduates, career and earnings potential and much more besides. Visit the METAV website (link below) to view exhibiors and organise your visit. First published online