By 2020 over 1.7 million new industrial robots will be installed in factories around the world. These, in short, are the results of the “World Robotics Report” published by the IFR (International Federation of Robotics) which, for 2017, involves the installation of new robots increasing by 21% in Asia -Australia, by 16% in the Americas and 8% in Europe. Key factors for these developments include the use of robots in response to shorter economic cycles and the demand to produce with greater flexibility and tailor-made to customer needs across all industries.

An experience, that of automation, which is increasingly immersive for those taking part in the next edition of MECSPE, the manufacturing 4.0 trade fair promoted by Senaf, which will be held at Parma Fairground from 22nd to 24th March, 2018 and where all the new solutions in terms of digitalisation and innovation will be presented. New initiatives in a 4.0 perspective, all aimed at making the experience of visitors, companies and exhibitors and 12 thematic shows even more synergic and active, with better layout inside the trade fair centre, featuring the construction of a new hall to ensure smoother exploration and greater orientation.

The new hall, 4.1, which stands between no. 3 and 5 and is the direct continuation of the South entrance, will feature the Digital Factory show, presenting the new frontiers of digitalisation for the factory (applications, devices, instrumentation and intelligent components for the interpretation and connection of processes). The show, driven by the growing demand of the market and the attention that companies place on digitalisation processes, experienced a 24% increase in exhibitors. Among the companies, there are large multinational companies of the IT sector and innovative spin-offs.

On the other hand, hall 5 has been confirmed as the Automation hall with the shows dedicated to robot manufacturers and major Italian system integrators (Motek Italy), power transmissions and mechatronics (Power Drive), Logistics and Electronic Subcontracting and their 300 exhibitors.

Finally, the South Entrance will feature the beating heart of the trade fair, the “Digital Factory 4.0”, with 8 supply chains and 52 partners, ready to discuss systems and innovations in the field of digital integration that contribute to designing the industry of tomorrow, showing the decisive role of the enabling technologies 4.0 in the various sectors and application contexts. The themes at the centre include connectivity and tools for small business, collaborative robotics in a context of parametrised production and/or small batches, product development with method 4.0, simulation of products and processes, traceability, maintenance, additive manufacturing and logistics 4.0 .

Of the eight supply chains featured in the area, 6 have robotics companies among their partners, including collaborative companies, underlining the increasingly central role of automation in workshops.

Comau, Fanuc, Kuka, Universal Robot will therefore be participating with their system integrators, to support the various supply chains both in terms of machine interlocking and logistics from a 4.0 perspective.

Moreover, this year a technological bar will be set up in the Fabbrica Digitale (Digital Factory) area, where visitors can enjoy an ice cream served by a collaborative Fanuc robot.

The third edition of the “Premio Innovazione Robotica” (Robotics Innovation Award) will take place on Friday, 23rd of March in the arena of the Fabbrica Digitale 4.0 (Digital Factory 4.0).

The Award is aimed at applications designed by Italian companies; a particular section is also dedicated to “horizon” projects presented by universities, research centres and spin-offs. The Award, in both categories, will take into account the elements relating to enhancement, uniqueness and innovation of the solution.

But MECSPE is also a lot of training: after the successes of Modena and Brescia and the event in Naples on the 5th of February focusing on “Industry 4.0 and Aerospace”, the story for an Italian alternative to the industry 4.0 model continues with the last stage of “LABORATORI MECSPE FABBRICA DIGITALE, La via italiana per l’industria 4.0” (MECSPE DIGITAL FACTORY WORKSHOPS, The Italian way to industry 4.0): the final event of this series will involve a debate on the topics of training and new professional figures within the factory 4.0, with the presentation of national data from the MECSPE Observatory on Italian SMEs operating in the mechanical industry.

The numbers of MECSPE 2017

45,817 visitors, 105,000 m² of exhibition space, 2,051 companies in attendance, 10 Squares of excellence, 58 Demonstrative units and processing islands, 7 product areas, 11 thematic shows, 75 training events organised by companies, universities and associations.

The MECSPE trade shows

Machines and Tools – machine tooling, tools and equipment; Digital Factory – IT technologies for smart factory management; Motek Italy – factory automation; Power Drive – Systems – Parts – Mechatronics; Control Italy – metrology and quality control; Logistics – logistics, machines and equipment management systems; Mechanical Subsupply – outsourced industrial processes; Electronic Subsupply – design, electronic processing and components and accessories; Eurostampi, Machinery and subsupply of plastic materials – moulds and moulding; plastic material and rubber processing; Additive Manufacturing – rapid prototyping and 3D printing; Surface Treatments – machines and systems for surface treatments and finishes; New exhibition of non-ferrous materials and alloys – aluminium, titanium, magnesium, composites and technologies.

For more information

MY PR

Paola Gianderico – Davide Bruzzese

mob_ 331-7623732

tel_ 02-54123452 fax_ 02-54090230

e-mail paola.gianderico@mypr.it – davide.bruzzese@mypr.it

www.mypr.it