Japanese show expands globally

The trade fair, organised by the Japanese Machine Tool Builders Association, is being staged from November 17-22.

According to the organisers exhibitor and booth numbers will be well up from the show’s previous outing in 2014 prompting the addition of the New East Hall area which is due to be completed in October.

The show is expecting 765 exhibitors in 5,509 booths, more than a 20% rise in exhibitors. 145 (485 booths) of these exhibitors will be from overseas, a 60% rise from the previous show.

JIMTOF has been held biannually since 1962. Now in its 28^th outing the event will feature all aspects of companies associated with metalworking. The exhibits will feature machine tools and accessories such as high-speed cutting tools, cemented carbide tools, diamond and CBN tools, grinding wheels and abrasives.

Other manufacturing technology includes gear production, oil, water hydraulic and pneumatic machinery. There will also be precision measuring machines and instruments, optical measuring instruments, testing machinery, controls and CAD/CAM related software.

This year JIMTOF will be focusing on two aspects of Japanese metalworking craftsmanship in its special exhibits zone.

One is the art of metal spinning or Hera-shibori as it is known in Japanese. This form of metalworking is based on the ductility of metals. Metal, processed into a disc form, is rotated on a lathe and formed into a shape by an iron spatula or hera, a specialised tool for the process. There will be a live demonstration by a metal spinning master and attendees will also be given the chance to try the technique, which is passed down from generation to generation.

Also in the special exhibit zone will be a focus on the production of eye glasses. Most Japanese glasses are produced in Fukui city and Sabae city. Over the years, companies involved in the trade have developed newer materials such as titanium for spectacles. The exhibit will focus on the craftwork involved in eyeglass making and how machine tools have contributed to their production over the last 100 years.

The programme of lectures and seminars at the event includes a keynote speech from Dr Junichi Tsujii, director of Japan’s Artificial Intelligence Research Centre (AIST). Held on the first day of the trade show the lecture will be on the theme of Future Developments of Artificial Intelligence and Applications in Industrial Machinery.

There will also be presentations on new vehicle manufacturing from Mr Yoshihito Kondo, executive general manager of Toyota, manufacturing and the global economy from Dr Motoshige Itoh, emeritus professor at The University of Tokyo and machine tool processing of carbon fibre (CFRP) from Dr Takashi Ishikawa, designated professor at Nagoya University’s science department.

Lastly, there will also be a special seminar called ‘Seize the Victory’ demonstrating how Japanese manufacturing technology has supported world class athletes.

JIMTOF 2016 http://www.jimtof.org/en/