We are counting down to METALEX 2019, the gateway to a new world of intelligent metalworking technologies and new smart technologies. Showcasing the ASEAN’s largest advanced metalworking technologies and solutions, METALEX 2019 will be held on 20-23 November 2019 at BITEC, Bangkok. This event is different and more special than any other times since Germany will be the partner country, which makes it so important and interesting that nobody wants to miss it, especially the “German High Tech Pavilion.” Dr. Wilfried Schäfer the Managing Director of German Machine Tool Builders' Association (or VDW) disclosed to M Report about his leading the world-class companies to exhibit the cutting-edge technologies under “Advanced Metalworking Technologies from Germany” theme and the highlighted utami@METALEX debut in Asia, where the participants will get to experience the universal machine tool interface standards and to see the same demonstration at EMO Hannover 2019. 

Thailand and ASEAN industry view

Dr. Wilfried Schäfer the Managing Director of VDW, which leading 48 German companies to German Pavilion at METALEX 2019 with the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie: BMWi) and the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry (AUMA) says:

"Thailand is the most important market for the machine tool industry in the ASEAN region, with great potential for production technology. There is keen competition in the market, especially from Japanese companies. So we are all the more delighted that Germany is the partner for METALEX, and our firms will be able to present their innovative potential there with a sector event."

Why “umati” ?

"We are delighted that Germany is the partner country of Metalex and that so many renowned German manufacturers are taking part in the industry exhibition. It is an ideal platform for our companies to demonstrate their efficiency to business partners in the ASEAN region. The VDW will also use this forum to present the standardised interface umati for communication between machine tools and higher-level IT systems. The interface should really gather momentum straightaway and be distributed internationally as a standard via the OPC UA Foundation."​

The universal machine tool interface or umati is the interface standard for machine tools and IT eco-systems. It was developed by VDW and partners to become a data transmission standard. It helps users to connect smoothly, seamlessly, and simply. This kind of connection is said to be the key to the Industry 4.0 and other eras in the future.

Apparently, in the actual production line, it is difficult to use machines of a certain chain or brand, especially in this day and age when the market has a variety of needs. This forces the manufacturers to choose the right machines or devices to meet their needs and limitations. So it is no doubt how convenient it would be for machine installation and operation if the connections between a variety of machine brands can be done more easily. 

The special show umati@METALEX will demonstrate how umati ensures the simple and easy flow of data between machine tools and software systems. Three machines will be integrated in the special show for a live demonstration of production. Visitors will be able to see a DMG Mori DMU 50, a Trumpf marking laser and a Heller Profitrainer. Just like at the most recent umati showcase at EMO in Hanover in 2019, machines not on the trade fair grounds in Thailand will be connected, e.g. from the Swiss machine tool manufacturer Tornos. In its capacity as a strategic partner from the IT industry, SAP will also show how umati helps to the improve the company's services. The data are collected at a neutral dashboard via a central data hub hosted by T-Systems and can also be directly read out using the umati app.

As for Germany, founder of industry 4.0, umati is is likely to change the manufacturing industry around the world, Including Thailand and ASEAN. From efforts to push umati to become an international standard. and the feature to integrated with OPC UA. It higly possible that umati will become the future of the manufacturing industry. Just like industry 4.0.

German High Tech in Metal Working​

The German Pavilion shows everything the industry has to offer on innovations on German technology. Among the 48 exhibitors are internationally renowned brands like Siemens, Chiron, Emuge Franken, Gühring, Schütte, FFG, Zoller, Index Traub, Mapal and Grob. The 48 renowned companies will display the whole range from machine tools and its accessory, tools and tool handling, sheet metal forming, mould and die, precision measuring and testing to controller and computer systems. A highlight are the two biggest machines on show.

• Multi-Spindle Automatics, SG18 40-01, from Alfred H. Schuette Gmbh & Co. KG, that is extremely fast cam-controlled for turned part production up to a diameter of 20 mm
• Gebr. Heller Maschinenfabrik GmbH displays a 5-axis machining center, HF 3500, that convinces with high stability for 5-sided machining with positioned rotary axes and dynamics with simultaneous 5-axis machining. 

The unifying element of all displays is Industry 4.0 and digital solutions to lead the industry in the next decade. With digital and software solutions it is ensured that speed and precision ensure the customers success.

For those who are interested, can check the list of companies participating in German Pavilion HERE