EMO HANNOVER 2023 SPARKS INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE

Organized by VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) after a four-year hiatus, EMO Hannover 2023 was nothing short of spectacular. With innovation as its cornerstone, this international gathering exceeded expectations, drawing visionaries from around the world. A look into the symphony of progress that unfolded at Hannover Fair Ground from September 18-23, 2023.

Woven around the theme of ‘Innovate Manufacturing’, EMO Hannover 2023 reflected the trade show’s strengths, featuring the internationality of its exhibitors and attendees. The world’s leading metalworking trade fair served as an apt platform for world-class technical advances.

EMO Hannover 2023 featured a remarkable display of innovations and an impressive visitor interest from all around the world. “After the four-year break, the relaunch has been a huge success for EMO Hannover,” summed up Carl Martin Welcker, Commissioner General, EMO Hannover 2023, at the end of the six-day show in Hannover.

“We saw everything here for the future of production: new solutions for automation, for networking within the factory, and for sustainable production. When digitalization finds its way into the factory, there is no end to the potential for new solutions and increased efficiency. This was impressively demonstrated by the exhibitors,” continued Welcker.

International resonance

Around 1,850 exhibitors attended the show from 45 different countries. With approximately 92,000 trade visitors, 54 percent came from 130 countries. Leading the pack among visitor countries were Turkey, China, the Netherlands, Italy, and Poland. Notably, a substantial one-third of attendees hailed from Asia, signaling the event’s global magnetism.

Innovation at the core

In a survey, 30 percent of visitors highlighted their priority as ‘obtaining information about innovations and trends’, and a further goal was finding concrete solutions for their specific problems. This underlines EMO Hannover’s role as a crucible for pioneering solutions.

A core area of interest at EMO Hannover 2023 for exhibitors and visitors alike was the switch to electric drive technologies.	L-R: Dr Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director, VDW; Franz-Xaver Bernhard, Chairman VDW; Carl Martin Welcker, General Commissioner, EMO Hannover; and Dr Markus Heering, Executive Director, VDW

Shaping the future of manufacturing

Addressing the pressing issue of skilled labor shortages, automation took center stage at the trade fair. Over a third of visitors identified this as a significant concern, with nearly a quarter focusing on digitalization and networking. They were able to find just what they were looking for on the many stands. Several hundred robots were showcased across the halls at EMO Hannover.

A new trend was seen with respect to operating the cobots (collaborative robots). It is no longer necessary to have programming skills in order to use cobots for different applications such as loading and unloading, quality control, painting, washing, as well as connecting to measuring devices.

The cobots are equipped with sensors that mimic the human sense of touch. This allows them to compensate for workpiece tolerances or work around obstacles in the workspace. In collaboration with employees, this facilitates enclosure-free operation, for example. This trend also means that robot manufacturers are currently doing good business.

Another focus area was connectivity. The main emphasis was on the open exchange of data – based on OPC UA, for
example. This is the basis for the Companion Specification OPC UA for Machine Tools under the umati umbrella. Retrieving large amounts of data from digital controls without affecting the process is a key factor here. The availability of transparent process data is crucial for process monitoring and related quality management.

The Future of Sustainability in Production was high on the agenda for 68 percent of visitors. Foreigners accounted for three-quarters of this group as they were represented more than their German counterparts. A key aspect was efficiency. Some examples such as the Product Carbon Footprint indicate the level of carbon emissions during production and provides customers with detailed information on what indirect emissions the tools they use contribute to their overall carbon footprint. Another example was the structure of spindles, which are designed for energy efficiency and not primarily for maximum performance. Finally, cooling lubricants can be used for longer through monitoring and filtering. 

Newcomers en masse

More than half of the visitors to EMO Hannover were attending for the first time according to the organizers. This dovetailed nicely with the exhibitors’ goal of attracting new customer business. Similarly, around one-fifth of the exhibitors participated in the show for the first time.

Where the top brass meet

It is important for exhibitors to be seen at EMO Hannover; to showcase their offerings, and demonstrate competence. EMO is therefore a trade fair for executives and decision-makers from the Mechanical Engineering, Automotive and Supplier industries, Metal Processing, Precision Mechanics, Optics, Aerospace industry, and many more.

Almost 60 percent of the visitors were top executives. Just under half have decision-making authority for purchasing and procurement. Indeed, half of the trade visitors actually stated that they came to EMO with concrete investment plans. On average, these visitors planned to invest just under €3 million. More than a quarter said they had placed orders at the fair.

“EMO Hannover has once again confirmed and consolidated its position as the world’s leading trade fair for production technology,” Welcker concluded. The next edition of the show is expected to attract more exhibitors in two years’ time.  In 1975, 50 years ago, the first EMO Hannover took place. In 2025, it will be held from September 22-27.

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