INDUSTRY NEWS
BI-MU celebrates success in Milan
The 34 . BI-MU , the international biennial exhibition for machine tools , robots , automation , digital and additive manufacturing / subcontracting , was held at Fieramilano Rho ( Milan , Italy ) from 9-12 October 2024 . Organised by EFIM-ENTE FIERE ITALIANE MACCHINE and promoted by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE ( the Italian machine tools , robots , automation systems and auxiliary products manufacturers ’ association ), 34 . BI-MU featured product offerings from over 750 companies . According to the show organiser , 37 % of exhibiting companies were from outside Italy .
Around 35,000 trade operators were at the exhibition ( 5 % came from 62 countries ). The most represented countries were Germany ; Switzerland ; France ; Spain ; Slovenia for Europe ; the USA and Brazil for the Americas and China ; South Korea ; Japan ; Taiwan and Turkey for Asia . Among overseas visitors were also 80 operators , mostly users and some journalists , from 16 countries .
Thematic areas and events
“ A total of 4,000 students took part in BI-MU through free and guided tours entrusted to 55 young tutors from Higher Technological Institutes . In addition to students from high schools , for the first time the exhibition opened its doors to students from lower secondary schools , a crucial time in deciding which educational path to take after ‘ compulsory schooling ’,” commented the show organiser .
“ All students were welcomed in the ROBOTGAMES area , with its special education and job initiatives project designed to encourage dialogue between education and industry to attract talent . A meeting point for matching job demand and supply was offered by Randstad , which also offered job orientation and gamified light self-assessment activities . The real area attraction was ROBOTGAMES , the new automation and robotics contest for high school students , promoted by UCIMU Academy through UCIMU Foundation and organised by EFIM , with the support of Fiera Milano Foundation . The final of the contest , which took place on Friday 11 October 2024 , saw eight teams from different institutes compete from all over Italy ,” it added .
Alfredo Mariotti , general manager of UCIMU , stated : “ Despite particularly complex [ market ] economic circumstances , BI-MU registered an increase in the number
Below and bottom : Scenes from 34 . BI-MU in Milan , Italy .
Riccardo Rosa , President of UCIMU .
of its direct and indirect exhibitors , compared to a partial reduction in exhibition space . Thematic areas , such as RobotHeart , piùAdditive and BI-MUDigital , contributed to enhancing the value of the thematic and product offerings of our trade show .”
Over eighty events were organised by exhibitors and organisers , most of which were held in the BI-MUpiù Arena ( promoted by UCIMU Foundation ) with the support of the Lombardy Region , the sponsorship of Banca Generali and the patronage of TM .
Hot topics for industry
Sixty speeches hosted in the BI-MUpiù Arena involved over 1,400 people in attendance and around 5,000 users connected online via a live streaming service from the home page of the exhibition ’ s website .
“ The Robotics Day included organisations representing the segment such as IFR ( International Federation of Robotics ), SIRI ( Italian Robotics and Automation Association ), I-RIM ( Italian Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Machines ) and AIxIA , ( Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence ). These organisations , with UCIMU , took part in an open discussion on the potential for development and application of new technologies in all markets . IFR also chose BI-MU as the venue for its annual assembly as well as a series of in-depth meetings dedicated to its members .
Riccardo Rosa , President of UCIMU , concluded : “ These initiatives , as well as the commitment to young people through our UCIMU Academy , are essential elements for the success of the trade show [ which includes ] activities designed to foster the growth and development of the sector .” In October 2026 , the 35 . BI-MU will celebrate its 70th anniversary . n
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16 | ismr . net | ISMR November 2024