TOWARD INTELLIGENT AND SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING

Source: TMBA

This year, TMTS made a comeback to Taichung—the heart of the machine tool industry cluster—at the newly opened Taichung International Convention Center (TICEC), marking a significant milestone for Taiwan’s manufacturing sector on the global stage. As the country reinforced its leadership in advanced manufacturing, Modern Manufacturing India chronicled defining moments where technology, collaboration, and global perspectives converged.

Organized by the Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA), the ninth edition of TMTS, held from March 25–28, 2026, at TICEC, reached new heights, featuring over 400 exhibitors and more than 1,800 booths and hosting over 70,000 professional visitors from over 80 countries, across 28,483 sq mt. This impressive scale not only demonstrated the strength of Taiwan’s comprehensive and efficient supply chain but also reflected the high degree of trust the international market places in ‘Made in Taiwan’.

TMTS 2026 featured a comprehensive range of manufacturing technologies and solutions across the machine tool ecosystem, including metal cutting and forming machines, smart manufacturing systems, industrial robots, CAD/CAM software, cutting tools, measuring systems, quality assurance solutions, and associated equipment and technologies.

Maximizing the ‘Front Shop, Back Factory’ Advantage

This year’s exhibition marks a historic milestone as it returned to the ‘Home of Machine Tools’—Taichung—and served as the first major international trade show held at the newly inaugurated TICEC.

“Taichung, as a global hub for machine tools, offers a complete supply chain ecosystem. Bringing the exhibition back to this city allows international buyers to gain a deep understanding of Taiwan’s manufacturing strength in a short amount of time, further facilitating business opportunities,” said Patrick P Chen, Chairman, TMBA, at the Opening Ceremony of the exhibition.

He emphasized that hosting TMTS 2026 in Taichung allows international buyers to inspect the latest technologies at the show and visit production lines within a 30-minute drive, significantly boosting order conversion rates.
Despite the severe challenges posed by rapid shifts in the global geopolitical and economic climate, he urged Taiwanese manufacturers to embrace ‘unity, transformation, and a new start’.

The opening ceremony was an august gathering of high-level officials and industry leaders, including Shen Jong-chin, Senior Advisor to the President; Johnny Chiang, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan; Ho Chin-tsang, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs; Cheng Chao-hsin, Vice Mayor of Taichung City; Raymond Greene, Director, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); Claudia Fontana Tobiassen, Director, Trade Office of Swiss Industries; and Eva Ley, General Manager, German Trade Office Taipei. They were joined by representatives from international machine tool associations and over 300 experts from industry, government, and academia.

Toward a Customer-Centric Solutions Platform

Centered on the theme ‘AI-Powered Sustainable Manufacturing’, TMTS 2026 highlighted the global shift toward the ‘Dual Transformation’—digitalization and sustainability.

A major highlight of this year’s show was the Ecosystem Pavilion. Industry giants such as the Tongtai Group and Yeong Chin Machinery (YCM) led several suppliers to showcase integrated upstream and downstream ‘dual transformation’ solutions (digital and green). Other notable participants presenting smart and green technologies included the Super Precision Engineering & Manufacturing Alliance (SPEMA), Fair Friend Group (FFG), HIWIN Group, and Goodway Group.

The Pavilion reflected the transformation of Taiwan’s Machine Tool industry, which is rapidly transitioning from traditional equipment manufacturing to a customer-centric solutions platform. By integrating AI applications, Digital Twins, and energy management systems, the industry has advanced from standalone machine intelligence to full-scale integration across manufacturing processes and supply chains.

In addition to monitoring the status of smart machinery worldwide online, the event also introduced machine energy management demonstrations. Supported by the Precision Machinery Research & Development Center (PMC) and ITRI, domestic manufacturers, including CHMER, CHEVALIER, YCM, HEIDENHAIN, Keyarrow, and MYLAS, have become global umati partners.

Driven by the mission ‘Where Solutions Come Together’, TMTS 2026 redefined the value of industrial exhibitions, showcasing Taiwan’s competitive edge as a trusted and strategic partner in the global resilient supply chain.

Advancing AI-Led Industrial Transformation

TMTS 2026 featured six specially curated immersive experiences to demonstrate the industry’s transformative strength. The latest milestones in Digital Transformation (DX) and Green Transformation (GX) were showcased. Highlights include demonstrations of AI applications and Digital Twins, as well as guided tours for AI-powered and energy-saving labeled products. Additionally, international forums focused on semiconductors, aerospace, and AI robotics to foster cross-domain synergies and strengthen global industry connections.

Enhancing the visitor experience, a digital treasure hunt and the TMTS App provided smart navigation, paperless workflows, and real-time matchmaking. To further expand the show’s international visibility, ‘TMTS On-Air’ delivered live broadcasts and exclusive interviews throughout the event.

Strengthening Integrated Manufacturing Ecosystems

Overall, TMTS 2026 went beyond showcasing individual technological breakthroughs to emphasize the integration of the broader industrial ecosystem. From equipment and systems to end-use applications, the exhibition highlighted cross-sector collaboration spanning Semiconductors, Aerospace, Medical Technology, and Electric Vehicles, underscoring Taiwan’s strength in delivering integrated manufacturing solutions to global markets.
On the international front, TMBA continued its collaboration with the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) to showcase the ‘umati’ zone. The dedicated area demonstrated cross-brand data connectivity and energy management capabilities, highlighting Taiwan’s alignment with global smart manufacturing standards.

Exhibitors Showcase AI-Driven Manufacturing, Automation, and Integrated Solutions

TMTS 2026 provided a strong platform for exhibitors to present next-generation manufacturing technologies focused on AI integration, intelligent automation, Digital Twin applications, precision engineering, and sustainable production.

Among the key developments announced during the exhibition, QUASER Group revealed its strategic alliance and the acquisition of UK-based Winbro. Recently, the company announced the establishment of a laser application and testing center in Taiwan. Targeting the Aerospace, Semiconductor, Hydrogen Energy, Green Energy, and UAV sectors, the center aims to provide localized and real-time technical support while reducing cross-border testing delays and improving R&D and production efficiency. At TMTS 2026, QUASER also showcased the PRO.FLEX5 5-Axis Multi-Tasking Machining Centre and introduced the QHSD3 EDM Machine.

Amid the global challenges of labor shortages and rising production costs, Sunmill CNC Machine Tools, a leading name in precision machinery, and OSCARMAX, a pioneer in electrical discharge machine (EDM) technology, officially announced a strategic alliance. Together, they are debuting the ‘OscarFMS’ (Flexible Manufacturing System)—a comprehensive one-stop solution designed to maximize added value by integrating the pinnacle of

Taiwan’s precision engineering.

The integrated system combines EDM machines, robotic automation, and scheduling software into a modular manufacturing platform, with OSCARMAX’s EX Series AI-powered die sinker EDM at its core, featuring advanced AI control and ‘zero-training’ automation.

HIWIN Headquarters Group presented integrated smart manufacturing solutions under the theme ‘AI Empowerment × Sustainable Smart Manufacturing’, bringing together HIWIN, HIWIN MIKROSYSTEM, and MATRIX in a joint showcase. The Group featured vertically integrated capabilities, spanning precision motion systems, nanopositioning technologies, robotics, automation, advanced gear manufacturing equipment, and complete production-line solutions, demonstrating how integrated technologies support increasingly complex requirements in global high-end manufacturing.

HIWIN MIKROSYSTEM showcased nano-level precision control and high-dynamic-response systems for advanced packaging and inspection processes, while HIWIN demonstrated how robotics, automation, and motion control technologies can be integrated into scalable, system-level manufacturing solutions.

Force One Machinery Co, Ltd presented its latest advancements under the theme ‘Continuously Advancing Intelligent CNC Automation’. The highlight machine was a high-precision twin-spindle Y-axis CNC lathe, engineered with a rigid structural design and advanced multi-tasking capabilities to significantly enhance machining efficiency and dimensional stability. In response to today’s high-mix, low-volume manufacturing demands, the company also introduced its newly patented SCARA robotic auto-loading system and a compact servo automatic door system, delivering a fully integrated intelligent machining cell solution.

Meanwhile, Ching Hung Machinery & Electric Industrial Co., Ltd (CHMER), a global leader in EDM, under the theme ‘Ecosystem × Integrate the Future’, unveiled its NV Series high-precision linear motor driven Wire Cut EDM. It is designed to meet the demands of high accuracy, stability, and reliability in advanced industries such as Electronics, Medical Devices, Automotive, and ICT. CHMER highlighted its NV432L, featuring cutting-edge AI and energy-saving technologies.

In alignment with TMTS’s ‘Front Shop, Back Factory’ exhibition model, CHMER hosted an in-house exhibition at its Taichung headquarters alongside its booth display. More than 10 innovative machines were showcased on-site, featuring automation- and IoT-integrated manufacturing solutions that enabled visitors to experience full-line smart manufacturing applications.

TMTS 2026 Celebrates Resounding Success

The event successfully proved to be a significant milestone in the evolution of Taiwan’s Machine Tool industry, highlighting not only advanced manufacturing technologies but also the growing integration of intelligent, sustainable, and ecosystem-driven solutions.

As global industries navigate supply chain realignments and the transition toward net-zero manufacturing, the exhibition demonstrated Taiwan’s strength in connecting core components, automation systems, digital technologies, and integrated manufacturing solutions. Through strong industry collaboration and continued innovation in smart manufacturing, TMTS 2026 reinforced Taiwan’s position as a trusted and competitive partner in the future of global manufacturing.

MURALI SUNDARAM Correspondent Magic Wand Media Inc murali.sundaram@magicwandmedia.in