Every two years, the international tool, pattern and mold making industry meets at Moulding Expo. This year, the industry get-together developed by Landesmesse Stuttgart in cooperation with the four partner associations BVMF (Bundesverband Modell- und Formenbau), VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau), VDW (Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken) and VDWF (Verband Deutscher Werkzeug- und Formenbauer) will take place from May 21 to 24.

Around 700 exhibitors from all over the world have registered for this year's event. The proportion of international exhibitors has increased by 5 percentage points to 36% (as of March 2019). The list of international countries is headed by Portugal, Italy and Turkey. "Moulding Expo has now developed into one of the most important business platforms for the tool, pattern and mould making industry and its suppliers," says Ulrich Kromer von Baerle, CEO of Landesmesse Stuttgart. An example from Slovenia shows that the trade fair is also accepted internationally. Dr. Aleš Hančič from Celje is Managing Director of Tecos, the interest group for the Slovenian tool and mould making industry. This association represents 65 companies, or around 35 percent of companies in the sector. "For Slovenian toolmakers, the trade fair is the most important event in the industry. It is a must-attend event, especially for the injection molding sector in Europe," says Hančič, explaining the importance of Moulding Expo. The Slovenians are looking for new customers or partners for long-term cooperation. "The companies in Europe are growing together. Some of the German toolmakers have workpieces manufactured in Slovenia, sometimes entire molds." Toolmakers have become more communicative in recent years. "European toolmakers will only be able to compete against low-wage countries if they exchange information about production processes and their experiences in adapting new technologies or on the market," Hančič is convinced.

Parallel events increase the appeal of the trade fair

Moulding Expo is framed by five parallel events. Visitors to the trade fair or participants in the parallel events also receive free admission to the other event with their respective tickets.

On Monday, May 20, the two-day 6th Technology Day "Hybrid Lightweight Construction" will start. The conference, organized by Leichtbau BW, will take place in the Filderhalle in Leinfelden-Echterdingen with 22 exhibitors from the lightweight construction industry and 50 speakers.

The GKV/TecPart association will be offering an overview of trends in plastics production at its "Plastics Products Forum" from May 21 to 23 in the foyer of the L-Bank Forum (Hall 1).

Halls 2, 4, Oskar Lapp Hall (Hall 6), Alfred Kärcher Hall (Hall 8) and Paul Horn Hall (Hall 10) will be used by the British organizer UKi Media & Events for its "Automotive Shows" from 21 to 23 May. The focus here will be on products and services from the automotive supply industry. Among other things, vehicle components and high-tech production solutions from plastic products to stamped and formed parts through to metal casting applications will be on display.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA is dedicating its user forum on May 22 at the Kongress West to additive production technologies.

At the forum of the German Association of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (BME) in the seminar room of the press center, association members will discuss the challenges in the procurement of tools for stamped, bent and formed parts as well as for plastic or plastic injection molded parts.