The future of metalworking

The crucial question remains as to how individual companies can correctly categorize and profitably use what is on offer. EMO Hannover 2025 from September 22 to 26 offers decision-making aids.

For Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director of the EMO organizer VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association), the EMO is far more than just a trade fair. "As a platform for dialog between all international players in the industry - manufacturers and users alike - it is unique, because nowhere else do guests encounter so much international expertise as at an EMO," he says. This is not only evident at the exhibitors' stands, but also at the lecture events and forums, as well as at the joint stands with focus topics that are of particular importance for the future of metalworking. There will be plenty of opportunities to exchange experiences, network and meet potential business partners.

New business areas require broad expertise

There is a need for modernization in almost every factory or production facility. International competition is forcing companies to search for optimization potential. Rising costs, energy and raw material prices as well as new targets for_{CO2 emissions} and the circular economy are key drivers. Demanding applications, such as in aerospace, medical technology or renewable energies, require new technical expertise and a higher level of productivity and quality. The materials being processed are also changing. High-performance or coated materials are becoming thinner and lighter, stronger and more durable, and more resistant to corrosion and heat. Machining requires more specialist knowledge, which makes looking at digital solutions and AI particularly worthwhile in times of increasing skills shortages.

EMO Hannover shows possible solutions. Decision-makers can build on the experience of exhibitors and experts to reduce investment risks. Because regardless of whether companies manufacture components for the production of diagnostic devices in medical technology or complex geometries for flight-critical parts in aviation - investments in production lines, robot technology or software can only be amortized if they increase productivity or open up new business areas. This is all the more reliable if partners along the value chain can be found and cooperate with each other.

Automated metalworking is efficient and sustainable

The VDW cites automation, sustainability, digitalization and artificial intelligence as the most important development trends in metalworking. "Against the backdrop of high quality requirements and a shortage of skilled workers, automation is of central importance," emphasizes VDW Executive Director Heering. Automated production should be easy to operate and flexibly adaptable to the individual needs of users. It must enable both series production and economical one-off production. Automation ranges from simple solutions such as pallet changers and handling systems to the use of robots and autonomous systems. The joint Cobot Area stand at EMO is explicitly dedicated to the possible uses and applications of collaborative robots.

On the one hand, sustainability is about the measures that can be taken to reduce the energy and material consumption of machines and any ancillary and downstream processes. But it is also about the overall contribution that machines can make to_{CO2 reduction} and sustainable industrial production. "Mechanical engineering is an enabler of the climate-friendly transformation," emphasized Bertram Kawlath, President of the VDMA (German Engineering Federation) in a recent interview. The Sustainability Area at EMO 2025 is a meeting place to experience modern solutions for sustainable production. Exhibitors will provide information on how production can be trimmed for energy efficiency and how renewable energies, the circular economy and life cycle concepts can be integrated.

Digital process chains create transparency

Digital solutions relating to the IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) will play a key role in making production more efficient in the future. More and more machines are being equipped with monitoring systems and sensors as standard to collect data. Digitally networked process chains create transparency. "Intelligent" machines can predict whether a failure is imminent and enable predictive maintenance.

You can find out what EMO exhibitors have to offer for technological solutions to make the future of metalworking profitable in the run-up to the trade fair on the EMO website. Here, exhibiting companies will successively report on what decision-makers from the metalworking industry can expect at their stand until the end of the EMO in September this year.

Cornelia Gewiehs