INDUSTRY NEWS
Sheet metal and joining in the spotlight
From 21-24 October 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany, the sheet metal industry will meet for the 17th Blechexpo, the international trade show for sheet metal working, and the 10th Schweisstec, the international trade show for joining technology. Blechexpo / Schweisstec offers international trade visitors a clearly structured platform to experience innovations along entire value chains in one location. ISMR is an international media partner for the event and its October issue will be distributed at the show entrances.
“ In nine packed halls at the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre, everything will revolve around the present and future of sheet metal processing. Topics range from thermal and mechanical sheet metal processing( including system peripherals with controls and software) to solutions for handling and feeding, and quality assurance,” said show organiser, P E Schall.
Halls 1, 3, 5, and 7 will host sheet metal, tube and profile processing. Halls 4 and 6 will be dedicated to punching technologies. Hall 9 will be home to cutting and joining technologies. Hall 8 will focus on press and forming technologies. Hall 10 will cover steel, metal services and surface technology.
In addition to a daily presentation forum, the“ best CONGRESS” from Stahl-Kommunikation will bring together internationally recognised specialists for a practical discussion of“ Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Sheet Metal Working and Joining Technologies” on 22 October 2025.
“ best Award 2025”
The“ best Award” highlights outstanding innovations in sheet metal, tube and profile processing; press and forming technologies; punching technologies; cutting, joining and bonding technologies; as well as steel, metal service and surface technology.
“ Companies are already responding to the invitation to participate and submissions have begun via the www. maschinenmarkt-awards. de / best-award portal and the trade fair website. Submissions are free of charge. A selected jury of experts will choose the winners in each category by the end of the submission period. The lucky winners will receive their awards at a ceremony at 4pm on the first day of the trade fair( 21 October 2025),” continued P. E. Schall.
Career Friday
On Career Friday for schoolchildren, students and career starters, exhibitors will provide active insights into their career paths and demonstrate the technologies that shape everyday working life. Young talents can participate in guided tours and learn how, for example, automation or AI are being used to prepare for the future. Under the banner“ Shape Your Dreams, Metal Your Future,” Career Friday will be one of the highlights at Blechexpo / Schweisstec 2025.
“ Our objective with this campaign is to actively support young people in gaining insights into routine daily work, and in establishing meaningful contacts with companies,” outlined Bettina Schall, Managing Director, P. E. Schall.
Participants will be able to meet and interact with industry professionals, ask targeted questions, experience technology and explore potential career paths during guided tours beginning at 10am and 1pm. n
www
. blechexpo-messe. de
www. schweisstec-messe. de
A focus on digitalisation and software
Sheet metal specialist, Bystronic, recently announced the full integration of its Spanish software development company, Kurago, under the Bystronic Software brand. Kurago, acquired in 2021, has led Bystronic’ s digital transformation and created Bystronic’ s BySoft Software Suite, a software ecosystem that digitises customer processes from quote to delivery.
“ Following our restructuring and reorganisation into a Systems Division and a Service Division this past year, the formation of the Bystronic Software group formalises the key role that software development plays in successful customer solutions and aims to accelerate technological advances in sheet metal processing,” Bystronic told ISMR.
“ The integration of software capabilities into Bystronic’ s Systems Division has progressed seamlessly. Unifying our identity under Bystronic Software reinforces our
Bystronic BySoftSuite XS.
global vision and reflects the maturity that we’ ve reached in combining advanced machinery with automation and digital solutions,” outlined Domenico Iacovelli, CEO, Bystronic Group.
To accelerate the development of digital solutions, Bystronic is opening a new Bystronic lab in Derio( near Bilbao, Spain). The lab will house part of the Bystronic Software team as well as advanced machinery, automation and digital solutions specialists.
“ The lab will focus on unlocking the transformative potential of connectivity and data for the future of the sheet metal industry. Initially bringing together around 15 software experts, the lab is expected to be fully operational by early 2026,” added the Swiss manufacturer.
Automation of the complete material and data flow of the cutting and bending process chain is a strong focus for Bystronic. The intelligent networking of laser cutting systems and press brakes, based on innovative automation, software and service solutions, is key to achieving the comprehensive digitalisation of the sheetmetal processing industry, Bystronic told ISMR. n www. bystronic. com
ISMR July / August 2025 | ismr. net | 13