Grinding Hub 2024 was officially opened on May 14. The international trade fair for grinding technology took place in Stuttgart for the second time. The trade fair is organized every two years by the German Machine Tool Builders' Association (VDW) in close cooperation with Messe Stuttgart and the "Grinding Conference". This year's trade fair was also supported by the Swiss trade association Swissmem.
Grinding technology in all its facets is still the third-largest sector of the German machine tool industry. In 2023, machines worth 1.1 billion euros were produced by German companies. This corresponded to growth of 14%. Around 79% of these machines were exported, with the main sales markets in Europe, the USA, China and India. The global market for sandblasting machines alone reached around EUR 4.8 billion in 2023, which once again underlines the sustained importance of this technology segment. Consumption grew at the same rate, namely by 10%. Both exports and imports developed positively, increasing by 15% and 11% respectively. However, last year's strong results overshadow the current figures. Orders have been declining since the start of 2023. At the end of 2023, there were a fifth fewer orders on the books than a year earlier. This decline continued in the first quarter of 2024. However, the first rays of hope are shining for the machine tool industry. Manufacturers' expectations rose significantly in March. These are the very first signs of a possible stabilization in the coming months. Another positive sign comes from the second most important customer, the mechanical engineering industry. Last week, the VDMA reported that the slump in foreign demand had bottomed out and that there were signs of a sideways movement in Germany.
Roland Bleinroth, Messe Stuttgart, Dr. Markus Heering, VDW, Björn Köbler and Armin Ranzenberger, both from Köbler, and Dr. Patrick Rapp, State Secretary in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, officially open GrindingHub 2024.
Against this backdrop, Grinding Hub was once again a fixture on the German trade fair calendar this year. Around 490 exhibitors from over 30 countries presented their products and services on almost 41,500 gross square meters in four halls. This year's range included more than 40 product areas. This allowed the entire grinding process chain to be represented. "GrindingHub is taking place for the second time and has already established itself as the undisputed meeting place for the grinding technology community," said a delighted Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director of the organizer VDW. Grinding technology is a small but very important sector and represents one of the most important processes in metalworking. "It is very pleasing that we were able to bring together all the international market leaders and put on such an attractive show for the trade visitors. The innovations presented at the event have the potential to boost investment, as many of them contribute to increasing efficiency for users," Heering continues. "As a sub-sector of the machine tool industry, grinding is a key technology that enables the production of precision parts and components that are then used in high-tech products." agreed Dr. Patrick Rapp, State Secretary in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, who was present at the opening.
In addition to the extensive range on offer at the exhibitors' stands, the supporting program was another source of ideas and inspiration. This included the GrindingSolution Science Park. Five institutes presented their latest research projects in the field of grinding technology. The aim of the GrindingSolution Science Park is to make it easier for users to make the leap from laboratory to industrial practice. The research topics included networking, new materials, process reliability, machine learning, sustainable production, digital process integration and innovative tool concepts for precision surface finishing.
The umati (Universal Machine Technology Interface) stand (D20) in Hall 9 was the central point of contact for visitors who wanted to find out about the use of a control system via Open Platform Communication United Architecture (OPC UA) in grinding technology. More than 50 specifications are currently being developed in the mechanical and plant engineering industry to ensure seamless communication in the factory based on OPC UA. Around ten industries have contributed their specifications to the umati initiative. Around 360 international partners - machine manufacturers, research institutes and industry associations - jointly proved that communication based on open, independent standards is a successful model.
There was also a Start-up Hub again, where there were plenty of innovations to see. The impressive offerings from the young companies included new machine concepts, software for automated procurement, innovative diamond coatings for cutting tools and wear parts, AI-based maintenance software and high-precision cutting edge preparation for cutting tools.
The Grinder of the Year was also chosen as part of the trade fair. Five candidates from Germany, Austria and Switzerland made it to the final round. At GrindingHub, they demonstrated their practical skills in a live demonstration of grinding a workpiece or tool. In the competition, the finalists then had to program a milling cutter according to a drawing using the Toolroom grinding software and then produce it precisely on the grinding machine - all live in front of an audience and the jury. In the end, Osman Sylaj, a journeyman from Rothenaicher Tool GmbH, was able to hold his own in the two-day grinding competition and won the title of "Grinder of the Year", which came with a training voucher worth 3,500 euros.
"Grinder of the year 2024" title endowed with an education voucher.
