GENERAL NEWS
The 32nd edition of BIEMH , the International Machine Tool Exhibition , will take place from 3-7 June 2024 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre ( BEC ) in Bilbao , Spain . BIEMH is a leading industrial trade fair and an international show for advanced manufacturing . This global event will showcase a range of machinery , and large machines in operation will be the stars of the show .
BIEMH 2024 is organised by AFM ; Machine Tool Manufacturers ; AIMHE ; Machine Tools Importers and the Bilbao Exhibition Centre , with the support of SPRI . The Basque Government is an Institutional Partner . Mexico is the ‘ Invited Country ’ at the 32nd edition of BIEMH . Around 50 Mexican purchasing companies have already reportedly confirmed their participation .
The event has already registered more than 1,300 exhibitor companies from 29 countries ( including Germany ; Italy ; Portugal ; the USA ; Japan and Taiwan ). Bavaria will be at BIEMH for the first time this year with a state pavilion and six Bavarian companies as exhibitors . In addition , around 2,500 products and equipment from the main sectors have already been confirmed . These include the manufacture and distribution of starting and forming machinery ; metrology ;
Don ’ t miss BIEMH 2024
production services ; components ; tools and accessories as well as robotics , automation and digitalisation .
Visitors will be able to see products , practical demonstrations and specialised presentations in Halls 4 and 6 of the BEC using an easy and sector-specific route . Specific activities , such as guided tours , networking meetings and other initiatives , have been designed to enrich the experience of all participants .
In parallel , new editions of BeDIGITAL , a forum devoted to the industrial application of digital technologies , and AdditεD , an international trade fair on additive manufacturing and 3D printing , will be held in the BEC ’ s exhibition halls . The WORKinn Talent Hub , a gathering for talent and industry , will also be held at the BEC . n
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:// biemh . bilbao exhibitioncentre . com / en /
Automotive industry challenges in focus
New global research commissioned by ABB Robotics and industry specialist , Automotive Manufacturing Solutions ( AMS ), has revealed that the rising cost of energy in Europe and escalating U . S . labour rates are becoming major challenges for the automotive industry .
ABB Robotics ’ second annual barometer survey of the automotive industry showed that more than half ( 53 %) of all European respondents cited rising energy costs as one of their top-three concerns , compared to only 38 % of those in Asia . In North America , 63 % say that rising labour costs are their single biggest concern .
ABB ’ s first ‘ Global Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey ’ questioned industry experts as to whether legislative timetables to move to pure electric vehicle production were achievable . This year ’ s survey showed a drop in the number of respondents who strongly believed the transition could be realized , from 11 % to just 8 % this year . More than half ( 53 %) still believe the targets will never be met , compared to 59 % the previous year .
One reason for doubt over EV production deadlines may lie in concerns regarding key skills shortages . Over half ( 54 %) of all respondents saw specific skills shortages as having a major impact on manufacturing , with European ( 52 %) and Asian ( 58 %) participants singling out EV and battery expertise as their primary areas of concern .
“ Skills shortages in some very specific areas remain an industry concern ,” said Daniel Harrison , Automotive Analyst , Automotive Manufacturing Solutions ( AMS ). “ As EV production accelerates , the need to upskill or redeploy large numbers of existing colleagues as well as attract new talent into the automotive industry becomes more critical . EV manufacturing in conjunction with the increased software , electrical and advanced electronic content requires new and different skills , and the survey reflects a belief that more needs to be done .”
ABB Robotics has responded to this challenge by investing in outreach programmes , developed in collaboration with hundreds of schools and universities around the world , to teach students the automation and software skills that will form the basis of the smart manufacturing solutions of the future . The company ’ s IRB 1090 education robot , authenticated by STEM . org , is designed to empower students as they learn the fundamentals of robot programming .
The survey also highlighted how supplychain disruption , caused by global instability which has often resulted in component shortages and production delays , remains a key industry concern . More than a third ( 35 %) of all respondents highlighted this issue , with a sharp increase amongst respondents in North America ( 51 %) where it was cited as the region ’ s top manufacturing challenge .
The ABB survey gathered opinions on a range of topics from a comprehensive mix of nearly 400 industry experts .
Further insights from the survey can be found on https :// new . abb . com / products / robotics / campaigns / abb-amsautomotive-manufacturing-outlooksurvey n
8 | ismr . net | ISMR May 2024