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From 22 to 25 October, the international sheet metal working industry will gather at EuroBLECH 2024 in Hanover, Germany. Under the theme, ‘The Power of Productivity’, some 1300 exhibitors from 40 countries will showcase the world’s largest selection of sheet metalworking technology under one roof, all designed to boost performance and efficiency. Spanning over 160,000 m² of space, the event will feature a wealth of live demonstrations and product premieres. The exhibition will also host a packed event programme, guided visitor tours, the EuroBLECH Awards and a dedicated ‘Careers Day’ to promote young talent. EuroBLECH covers the entire supply chain in 15 technology sectors. The event attracts high-profile visitors with decision-making power, all seeking innovative manufacturing solutions and machines. Technologies on display comprise stamping, punching, pressing, forming, cutting, joining, welding, fastening, handling, finishing, quality control, CAD/CAM/CIM software, tools, warehouse and factory equipment, material recycling systems, and many more. This week’s 2024 edition will once again offer a unique visitor experience at the core of the industry, kicking off four days of intense product sourcing, networking and learning. A strong line-up of suppliers from around the globe will fill nine exhibition halls with thousands of exhibits and live machinery. “We are currently witnessing rapid developments in automation, robotics, AI and IoT devices,” explains Evelyn Warwick, event director of EuroBLECH, on behalf of RX. “Digitalisation, connectivity and big data are playing a crucial role here, allowing more efficiency, precision and real-time adjustments within the production process. This year’s EuroBLECH will be the place to look for guidance on how to use these game-changers in a meaningful way within your own production. Making informed choices is the key to unlocking the true power of productivity in terms of output, performance, costs and sustainability.” Among the exhibitors will be Yamazaki Mazak, which will announce the European debut of its OptiPlex 3015 Ez laser processing machine. According to the company, this cutting-edge technology offers high-quality laser processing capabilities at a cost-effective price point. The 6 kW machine on display at EuroBLECH will be exhibited as part of a fully integrated manufacturing cell, which takes the workpiece from raw material through to the finished parts. Another exhibitor with a focus on laser cutting will be LVD, which will also unveil a new machine offering low investment and operating costs. The new laser is available in three configurations to meet price/performance needs and thus deliver the lowest cost per part manufacturing. It can be equipped with a MOVit Load-Assist automation system. Elsewhere at the show, BLM Group will present its LS7 sheet metal laser cutting system with a 20 kW power source and automatic warehouse in a compact tower version for 24/7 continuous production. According to BLM, the LS7 is a compact, high-performance laser machine with a fast pallet change of only 9 seconds. As the sector’s flagship event, EuroBLECH successfully fosters a culture of innovation, pushing progress within the industry. This year’s event will host many young companies and new participants alongside well-known global players, giving visitors exclusive access to an ever broader array of fresh ideas and technologies. One out of five companies in the halls will be a new exhibitor, while a dedicated ‘Young Innovators’ Pavilion in hall 15 will feature promising start-ups from Germany. Besides Germany, major exhibitor countries for 2024 are Italy, Türkiye, China, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, India, Finland, France and the USA. Around 64% of all exhibitors are based outside Germany. A total of 76 companies are shortlisted for a EuroBLECH 2024 Award, industry prizes that recognise outstanding achievements in technical excellence and innovation. Six winners will be honoured at the official awards ceremony on the first day of the exhibition, at 17:00 in the presentation area of hall 27. The ‘Award Trails’ are a new highlight this year, featuring all nominated companies. Six trails filled with cutting-edge innovation are waiting to be explored, one for each of the award categories: Stamping and Forming Technology, Cutting Technology, Joining Technology, Surface Technology, Automation and Handling, and Sustainability. For visitors wishing to explore further the transformative power of innovation, EuroBLECH offers carefully curated guided visitor tours focusing on productivity solutions by companies such as Amada, Libellula, OTC Daihen Europe, Panasonic Connect Europe, Rico-Thomas Castro Silva, SEYI Presses Europe, Voortman Steel Machinery and Wila. Each stop includes a short presentation and Q&A session with an exhibitor representative. Tours can be booked online. The popular speaker forum will make a return, featuring expert talks and presentations on key topics such as automation, robotics, cobots, IoT and the industrial metaverse. Sessions run alongside the exhibition in the presentation areas in halls 26 and 27. A special panel discussion will address ‘Automation as a solution to mitigate skilled labour shortage’ on Wednesday 23 October at 15:00 in hall 26. And Friday 25 October is ‘Careers Day’, promoting young talent in the industry. Students and apprentices are invited to visit the exhibition free of charge to help them engage with potential future employers and groundbreaking technologies on the market. The official event website provides extensive information on the exhibition profile and show visit, including a full exhibitor list with company and product descriptions, and a comprehensive online show preview with search and filter functions to help attendees find the companies and products most relevant to them. With a simple click, users can create a list of favourite suppliers which they can export for easy access on multiple devices. Visitors can also subscribe to the EuroBLECH e-news to keep informed ahead of the show. Daily opening times are 09:00 to 18:00. Tickets are €39 for a day ticket and €70 for a season ticket (valid on all four show days). Additional ticket options include guided visitor tours at €25. The ticket shop and registration are available online. More information www.euroblech.com