Promoted by Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre (The Italian Machine Tool, Robot and Automation Manufacturers Association) BI-MU is the country's biggest trade show dedicated to manufacturing and engineering and features forming and metalcutting machine tools, robots, automation and auxiliary technologies.
The first BI-MU event was held in 1958 and the show has been documenting the evolution of the world of metal processing ever since. Its organisers claim it offers the most comprehensive mixture of advanced solutions created by international manufacturers.
It is one of the largest manufacturing exhibitions in the world attracting more than 96,000 visitors from Italy and abroad. The last exhibition held in 2010 attracted 1,169 participating companies from 27 countries. Nearly 3,000 machines were exhibited over 90,000m².
A customer satisfaction survey carried out at the end of the last event underlined the show's effectiveness in generating business for exhibitors. Of the companies who responded, 72% made positive contacts at the trade fair with 69% leading to concrete business opportunities.
Held alongside BI-MU is SFORTEC, an exhibition dedicated to technical subcontracting. The main sectors explored by the event are primary and mechanical processing, assembly and installation, treatments, materials and products. It will also focus on R&D, design, rapid prototyping, software development, material testing and analysis, material disposal and recycling, workshop services, global services, industrial maintenance and energy and sustainability.
In 2010, SFORTEC recorded 60,000 visits from end users from 75 different countries, interested in investment opportunities. 85% of visitors were directly involved in the purchasing decisions of their respective companies.
Both events will be held at the state of the art Fieramilano Hall in Milan. BI-MU 2012 will also feature presentations on structural machining, specialised reviews of the most recent technological solutions for welding, surface finishing, assembling and moulding/press-forging. There is a full conference programme and a number of initiatives aimed at emphasising the professional opportunities available to young people interested in working in the sector.
One of the highlights of this year's event will be a presentation about in-time production methods held on Friday October 5th. The ‘inTime' project is funded by the European Commission and has carried out extensive research into ways to improve manufacturing performance through new software tools, and management strategies. The project's goal is to improve delivery and reliability in the machinery and equipment industry and reduce errors and customer complaints, through the creation of automated sales order processing.
BI-MU
www.bimu-sfortec.com
