AMB impresses on every count

1,553 exhibitors, more than 91,000 visitors and of course Messe Stuttgart itself can look back on a successful AMB 2018. All the global market leaders presented their production innovations on more than 120,000 gross square metres of exhibition space spread across ten halls – and the AMB proved once again just how much Stuttgart has its finger on the pulse of metalworking.

However, breaking quantitative records was not the only goal – there was also a strong focus on offering high qualitative standards. Visitors to the AMB benefited from the event’s unique knowledge transfer and received valuable ideas on, and solutions for, current issues – equipping them optimally for meeting the latest challenges. There were numerous highlights in the AMB’s high-calibre supporting programme. Trade visitors were treated to an overview of trend topics, for example at the special “Metalworking Innovation Tour” show organised by the Institute of Production Management, Technology and Machine Tools (PTW) from Technische Universität Darmstadt. The leading innovators in the field of machining production presented their trend-setting products in the Paul Horn Hall (10), offering solutions for the metal-cutting problems of tomorrow.

A task which AMB set itself was inspiring enthusiasm for the metalworking sector in the next generation and convincing them of the positive energy to be found in the industry. The WorldSkills Germany competition, for example – the national preliminaries of the international competition for young machinists and mechanics – was held at the AMB. The winners in the CNC Milling, CNC Turning and (for the first time) Polymechanics disciplines earned places in the German national team at the WorldSkills 2019 event in Kazan (Russia).

A key aspect that was featured in all the halls, and represented a core focus in the Digital Way special show and conference, was the topic of digitalisation in production. The specialist conference included 36 exclusive presentations and was accompanied by a wide-ranging exhibition featuring around 30 exhibitors. Visitors, and in particular those responsible for digitalisation in their companies, were able to explore innovative solutions for recognising and exploiting the potential of digitalised production. Last but not least, the Gewatec Learning Factory and the Elabo Smart Factory provided live opportunities for experiencing networked interconnection.

Save-the-date: AMB will be celebrating its 20th anniversary event from 15 – 19 September 2020.

Author: Cornelia Bonow, Messe Stuttgart
Photos: Stuttgart Exhibition Centre