Review The World s Leading Trade Fair Where the Future is the Present Positive atmosphere at productronica 2015 Munich, November 10 13, 2015 On its 40th anniversary, productronica featured plenty of innovations including augmented reality, robotics in electronics manufacturing and the productronica innovation award. Some 38,000 visitors from nearly eighty countries took part in the World s leading trade fair for electronics development and production. Falk Senger, Managing Director at Messe München, drew a positive conclusion: During the past four days of the fair, we have experienced the industry s unbelievable innovative strength. That underscores productronica s position as an international industry gathering for electronics development and production. Rainer Kurtz, Chairman of productronica s Technical Advisory Board, CEO of Kurtz Ersa and Chairman of the VDMA Electronics, Micro and Nano Technologies (EMINT) Association, sees positive signals for the industry: There are so many opportunities to drive our business forward. Industry 4.0 is a new market with a great deal of growth potential. And in automotive electronics, all the driver assistance systems are giving For the first time ever, the fair featured robotics for electronics manufacturing (Source: Messe München) Some 38,000 visitors from nearly eighty countries attended productronica, the World s leading trade fair for electronics development and production. (Source: Messe München) electronics production a considerable boost. The latest figures from a VDMA survey about the business climate verify that. According to studies, growth rates of approximately fifteen percent are expected between now and 2018 among other things due to Industry 4.0, the automotive industry, wireless network technologies and mobile communication. According to a survey by market research institute TNS Infratest, 93 % of the visitors said that productronica met their expectations regarding innovations. Furthermore, the visitor satisfaction was very high: 97 % of the visitors gave the fair a rating of good to excellent. The sharpest increase in attendance was the number of visitors from Asia and from China, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore in particular. After Germany, the countries with the largest number of visitors were Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the Russian Federation and Great Britain. Two successful premieres Panel member Prof. Lothar Pfitzner from the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB, is convinced by the award s concept: Given global competition, it is important to further strengthen machine manufacturers, material producers and information technology suppliers in Europe. productronica and the brand new productronica innovation award play an important role for the economy, but also for the scientific sector, and they strengthen horizontal and vertical cooperation. In doing so, they satisfy a key prerequisite for rapid implementation in system development and the user industry. Of the more than seventy submissions, awards were presented to the following winners in five cluster categories: Fuji Machine in the PCB & EMS cluster, Rehm Thermal in the SMT cluster, F&K Delvotec in the Semiconductors cluster (cf. p. 8), Schleuniger in the Cables, Coils & Hybrids cluster, and Asys in the Future Markets cluster. IT2Industry, the Exhibition and Open Conference for Intelligent, Digitally Networked Working Environments, was held in conjunction with productronica for the first time ever. The trade fairs productronica and electronica are held in alternating years, making Munich the most important place for the electronics industry to meet. The next electronica takes place from November 8 to 11, 2016, and the next productronica takes place in Munich from November 14 to 17, 2017. www.productronica.com 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Laser Technik Journal 1/2016 49
www.laser-journal.de Review Blechexpo and Schweisstec Strong Groth on all Levels Stuttgart, Germany 3 6 November 2015 Source: Schall Messen The process sequence trade fair duo comprised of Blechexpo and Schweisstec outdid all of the targeted goals at the end of its 2015 edition. The two complementary technical events, namely the Blechexpo international trade fair for sheet metal processing and the Schweisstec international trade fair for joining technology took place at the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre under good economic, although somewhat difficult political conditions. With a total of 1,234 exhibitors from 36 countries, overall exhibition floor space amounting to 90,000 square meters and, last but not least, 38,136 expert visitors from 110 nations, private trade fair promoters and market developers P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG are announcing record-breaking numbers across the board, which reflect continuous growth as well. Number of exhibitors from inside and outside of Germany: +7 %, increase in overall exhibition floor space: +6 %, growth with regard to the number of expert visitors: +14 %. And not only can strong growth rates be announced at all levels, the impressive overall results which were hardly expected to reach these levels are above all characterised by organic and qualitative development. Numerous manufacturers and distributors who have often participated at Blechexpo and Schweisstec, or exhibited for the first time this year, see things in exactly the same way and speak unanimously of very good trade fair success with regard to visitor numbers, the quality of their RFQs and above all their decision-making authority. Beyond this, many returning and new exhibitors reported above average numbers of orders taken directly at the event with existing and new customers, so that more than just a few can look forward to full order books at the end of the year and for the upcoming new year as well. Blechexpo and Schweisstec intend to continue to grow organically in their fields with regard to offerings and applications. In this respect, attention is focused above all on further automation and the challenges in the area of joining technology which go hand-in-hand with new materials and material combinations, in addition to innovations in the conventional fields of thermal and mechanical cutting, stamping and forming, as well as thermal and mechanical joining. www.blechexpo-messe.de Previews PHOTONICS. World of Lasers and Optics 2016 Moscow, Russia 14 17 March 2016 Source: Photonics 2014 expocentre PHOTONICS. World of Lasers and Optics 2016, the international exhibition for laser, optical and optoelectronic technologies will be held in Moscow at Expocentre Fairgrounds. This is the 11th Edition of the International specialized exhibition for Laser, Optical and Optoelectronic Technologies with support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the State Committee on Science and Technologies, the Republic of Belarus, the European Optical Society and the German TVDI Technologiezentrum. Photonics is the leading exhibition event of the Russian laser and optical industry, with an exhibition area over 6,000 sqm. Over 165 participating companies from 14 countries, including collective expositions of Germany and China, and more than 10,880 professional visitors will be expected. A rich programme of accompanying events will be organized, which cover all trends of today s market of lasers and optoelectronics: eleven conferences, and seven presentations of exhibiting companies. The field of lasers and optics-related science and technology is one of the most highly developed sectors in Russia. Photonics is considered to be one of the key driving forces for innovations in Russia. The market volume in laser technology was estimated in 2014 at around $ 150 million, with an average annual growth rate of about 10 %. The future demand for laser technology in Russia is predicted to remain at a high level and therefore opens up opportunities for industry relevant producers worldwide. With the support of OptecNet Germany e.v., the Association SPECTARIS, and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), there is again as in 2015 and 2014 an official German joint company exhibition in Moscow with 18 German Exhibitors. Under the roof of the official German joint pavilion, export-oriented small and medium-sized manufacturers demonstrate their capabilities in the field. (cb) www.photonics-expo.ru/en/ 50 Laser Technik Journal 1/2016 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
LASER World of Photonics China 2016 Shanghai, China 15 17 March 2016 Laser World of Photonics China presents the latest applications and technologies of the industry of photonics. It is considered the top trade fair for the laser and photonics industry in China. Around 800 exhibitors from China and around the world are expected to more than 40,000 square meters of exhibition space. From components to industrial applications: The Laser World of Photonics China is Asia s leading trade fair for laser, optics and photonics. The trade fair presents the whole range of the photonics industry. The combination of scientific, research and industrial applications both in the conferences and the trade fairs supports the exchange between the scientific and industrial sectors and emphasizes its unique practical value. Optical components and manufacturing technology for optics are presented in a special exhibit area. The testing and quality assurance with optical systems will be a highlight of the fair. At the Laser World of Photonics China 2016 leading international companies such as Zeiss, Leica, Olympus and Nikon and a total of more than one hundred companies will exhibit in the field of metrology and industrial image processing. Futhermore, visitors can look forward to top level technical conferences and the laser technology forum, which provides industry knowhow by international experts. The Photonics Congress China will be held again in conjunction with the trade fair. The congress topics ranging from the latest research and development in laser technology, laser material processing and their applications, optical technologies, latest laser materials thin-film technology and other manufacturing processes for optical components and laser beam analysis to laser safety. The combination of scientific and industrial applications, both in the conferences as well as at the fair supports the exchange between science and industry, and emphasizes the unique user-oriented character of the fair. During the three-day event in 2015 the Laser World of Photonics China was able to continue its growth: In total 715 companies from twenty countries exhibited over an area of 36,960 square meters. During the three days visited 40,291 professionals from the industry, the trade fair. The Photonics Congress China 2015 attracted 2,374 participants. (cb) www.world-of-photonics-china.com Source: Messe München 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Laser Technik Journal 1/2016 51
www.laser-journal.de Previews SPIE Photonics Europe 2016 Brussels, Belgium 4 7 April 2016 SPIE Photonics Europe will take place in Brussels at the Square Conference Centre, drawing nearly 2,000 leading optics and photonics researchers and innovators for 18 technical conferences on the latest research developments and industry news. This event showcases products like cross-disciplinary optics and photonics event connecting research, applications, and industry. Featuring micro / nano technologies, biophotonics, photonic components, lasers, and photonics for industrial applications etc. in the scientific instruments industry. Speaking ahead of the event, SPIE fellow Professor Francis Berghmans said: I am convinced that this fourth edition of SPIE Photonics Europe 2016 in Brussels will again be the place to meet for academia and industry, and a unique forum for building on the tremendous success of the Year of Light 2015. A new conference on quantum technologies is also being introduced, along with a workshop on graphene materials. Around 1,200 technical talks are scheduled to take place. Meanwhile, a two-day exhibition (5 6 April 2016) will showcase the latest equipment from the industry s leading suppliers of optical components, lasers, fibre optics, detectors, sensors, cameras and other instrumentation for optics and photonics. In addition, a full day of industry-focused presentations are also scheduled, including talks providing updates on Horizon 2020, major EU-funded projects, strategies for successful commercialisation and the global photonics market. The event includes the participation of the University of Glasgow s Miles Padgett and Wolfgang Boch, head of the European Commission s photonics unit; Ferenc Krausz of the Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics; and Michael Liehr of the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering of Suny Polytechnic Institute. The event is supported by organisations from across Europe and sponsored by SPIE. An Innovation Village provides exposure for new products developed by universities and research centres, and the European Village showcases projects of EC initiatives, Networks of Excellence and other consortia. (cb) spie.org/photonics-europe.xml Photonix Expo & Conference 2016 Tokyo, Japan April 6 8, 2016 Photonix 2016 gathers expected 400 exhibitors from optical communications, laser processing, optics, optical measuring / analytical system fields, and is held as the Japan s exhibition for photonics industry. In each field such as communications, secondary battery, electronics where applications of laser and optics technologies are expanding, the Japanese & Asian market is becoming more and more important. Consisting of four different exhibitions specialized in optical communications (FOE 2016 16th Fiber Optics Expo), laser processing (9th Laser & Applications Expo), optics (9th Optics Expo) and optical measuring / analytical technology (3st Optical Measuring Expo), and a remarkable technical conference, Photonix provides effective international business opportunities in both industrial and academic fields. Asia s largest exhibition & conference for optical communications is one of the most international industry events and shows the latest international technologies and products for optical communications. Leading trade shows for exhibiting spectacle frames, sunglasses, lenses, contact lens, visual test equipment, machinery & materials for making spectacles frames and lenses and spectacle accessories. Photonix Japan will offer enormous opportunities to showcase complete range of laser, optics & sensing technology in Japan. Tokyo International Exhibition Center (Tokyo Big Sight) is the meeting point for telecom carriers / system manufacturers, cable / device manufacturers, electrical installation and power companies etc. Furthermore Japan s largest international exhibition is specialized in laser processing technologies. The 9th Laser & Applications Expo will present laser cutting technologies for processing resistant materials, fine processing technologies with picosecond laser, etc. With co-held academic forum and more sessions on laser technologies joining the conference, it will be enhanced as the central hub of the latest laser technologies. Various kinds of laser solutions for high power, low power and nano processing also will meet professionals from automobile, photovoltaic power generation and more. At the conference, global leader companies will represent major application fields, spoke on the latest laser applications in each industry, as well as leading suppliers will show their latest strategies and technologies. Profile for exhibit includes parts and components, raw materials for frames and lenses, moulds, instruments for optometry and ophthalmology, ophthalmic products, tools & equipment for optical workshop, trade magazines and exhibitions. In 2016 Photonix will become more international with visitors from Germany, France, Scotland, China and Taiwan launching their national pavilions, as well as increased number of attendees from Asia, especially from China & Taiwan. (cb) www.photonix-expo.jp 52 Laser Technik Journal 1/2016 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Control 2016 Celebrates All-round Growth Stuttgart, Germany 26 29 April 2016 With over 800 exhibitors from 30 countries around the world, Control is the number one source of information for all companies that see first class quality as the basis of their business success. To achieve this objective in the best possible way, Control works intensively with the pioneering institutions of the sector. Those on board include Fraunhofer- Allianz Vision, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation (IPA) and the German Society for Quality (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität DGQ). Control has reinvented itself again and again during the course of the years and has made a significant contribution to the importance which is placed upon quality assurance today. Decisive factors in this respect have included the early recognition and promotion of beneficial technological trends and the integration of user-oriented, practical solutions, without ever challenging the timetested nomenclature which has been changed cautiously where necessary. Nine months before Control 2016 opens bookings have already reached a level of 90 % of the numbers reached at Control 2015 with exhibitors from 25 countries. And many of the exhibitors would like to have more floor space in order to be able to present their in-process QA products and services as integratable in the spirit of the Industry 4.0 strategy in a practice-oriented setting. The successively growing exhibition segment for image processing and vision systems is also experiencing a further upswing and attracting more and more attention, because industry players see Control as the most important system solutions platform where their target groups can be directly approached. Furthermore, after a successful launch in 2015, Con- trol 2016 will feature closer cooperation with the EMVA industry association (European Machine Vision Association) for the first time, who are planning a collective booth amongst other activities. www.control-messe.de Source: fraunhofer vision special show Fraunhofer-Allianz Vision International Laser Technology Congress AKL 16 Aachen, Germany 27 29 April 2016 Laser experts from many different sectors will gather at the International Laser Technology Congress AKL 16. Users, manufacturers and developers can take advantage of the international platform to engage in intensive discussions about the current state and future possibilities of laser technology. For the 11th time, over 70 laser experts from research and industry will be sharing their insights into the latest techniques, beam sources, developments and trends in laser technology. The organizer of the event, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, is once again expecting over 600 participants. AKL 16 kicks off on April 27, 2016 with two new expert forums on the highlighted topics of process control and laser additive manufacturing. Participants have the option here of spending the whole day delving into the process control of various laser methods exploring everything from low-coherence interferometry and process control in automotive manufacturing to the controlling of welding processes in the plastics industry or else they can spend their time expanding their know-how in the field of additive manufacturing. Laser technology Potential for further development and solutions for industry In the Gerd Herziger Session that opens the Laser Technology Conference on April 28, several experts will describe the challenges currently faced by laser technology. They will discuss laser technology in aviation, the consumer sector and medical engineering and the solutions it offers. In a subsequent panel discussion, these experts will then discuss the prospects for laser technology and its influence on manufacturing technology. On April 28 and 29, some 40 speakers from industry and science will also shed light on the current state of laser technology in the categories of laser material processing (macro and micro), and laser beam sources. In addition, all participants of AKL 16 will have the opportunity to make contact with the around fifty AKL 16 sponsors in the exhibition accompanying the confer- ence and to discuss their questions in individual chats. As part of AKL 16, Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik e.v. and the European Laser Institute (ELI) will be presenting the Innovation Award Laser Technology on April 27, 2016. Endowed with 10,000 Euros, the award recognizes outstanding innovations in the development and application of lasers in manufacturing technology. The prize is open to applicants from European industry as well as European universities and R&D centers. LTJ will interview the finalists in a future issue. www.innovation-award-laser.org www.akl-ev.de www.ilt.fraunhofer.de Source: Fh. ILT 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim Laser Technik Journal 1/2016 53