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26 mag 2017

Moulding Expo Press Release: Live production, student support and expert exchange


The framework programme for the Moulding Expo 2017 / For the first time with support from the International Special Tooling & Machining Association (ISTMA)

Take part in the live production and giveaway of the innovative "3-2-eat!" multifunctional eating utensil. Get to grips with the latest trends and developments in the industry and take part in an exchange with experts from across the world. Alternatively, if you are a student, experience the fascinating professional opportunities offered by the dynamic world of tool construction and pattern and mould making companies. The Moulding Expo, held from 30th May to 2nd June at the Messe Stuttgart, offers a framework programme with fascinating insights and valuable industry information, in addition to over 750 exhibitors across four halls. "We have put together a framework programme with extremely interesting content," explains MEX Team Leader Florian Niethammer. "Working together with our partners, we have emphasised ´quality over quantity´ when identifying appropriate topics." In addition to repeating the tried-and-tested specialist forums that the trade fair offers in cooperation with large industry associations, specialist publishers and partners from the industry, research and education sectors, this year also will see the première of the European Tooling Forum (Hall 4, Stand C30). "We are pleased to have the International Special Tooling & Machining Association (ISTMA) with us at the Moulding Expo for the first time, and offer our first specialist forum in English in conjunction with them," explains Niethammer.
 
 
Live production of the "Polyman" and "3-2-eat!" plastic components
One highlight of the framework programme this year is live production at the trade fair. During this event, an injection moulding machine will "spit out" the Polyman in front of visitors (Oskar Lapp Halle, Hall 6, Stand C53). This innovative two-part learning component shows every mistake that can be made when using injection moulding on the orange "bad" side, and shows how proper component design for compatibility with injection moulding processes should look on the blue "good" side. This initiative is the result of cooperation between Reutlingen University, the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, the VDWF and many partner companies from the industry – including many exhibitors.
The "3-2-eat!" will also be manufactured as part of live production, and the resulting products will be available in a trade fair giveaway (Hall 4, Stand A02). "We decided to produce a compact eating utensil not just in order to offer a genuinely useful object for MEX visitors, but also because we in the project team also wanted to learn more about tool construction and pattern and mould making," says Florian Niethammer, who has been involved in the entire development process of the plastic product, from the product design stage to tool manufacturing through to sample production. The individual development steps of the project, which was implemented at Reutlingen University by students in the Mechanical Engineering master´s degree programme and Professor Steffen Ritter together with network partners from the industry, will also be presented at the "3-2-eat!" stand at the Moulding Expo.
 
"Shape your future" – the new format for student support
A new format for student support is being introduced at the Moulding Expo with the "Shape your future" special exhibition (Hall 4, Stand B35). With this programme, school classes will receive free tickets for the trade fair. Experienced "sponsors" from the industry will guide students through the trade fair halls to specific exhibitors in tours lasting one to two hours. Florian Niethammer explains, "These young people will discover a wide range of career options with a broad potential for variety and secure future prospects, ranging from product designer to pattern maker and machine tool operator through to tool manufacturer."
The collaboration between all elements of the industry is emphasised in every part of the programme. The companies, institutions, associations and publishers will present themselves as a vibrant network. "The Moulding Expo is a community project in which everyone works towards a common goal – by the industry, for the industry," says Florian Niethammer. "Clearly, something good has to come of all this. We´re fired up for the trade fair – it´s finally time to get started."
 
Overview of all expert forums in the Moulding Expo 2017 framework programme
 
6th European Tooling Forum (Hall 4, Stand C30)
This forum held by the International Special Tooling & Machining Association (ISTMA) – their first time as a guest at the Moulding Expo – will highlight developments in the international markets. International industry representatives will meet political decision-makers and representatives from national tool associations. Highly topical presentations will highlight technological trends and market developments, but the necessity of infrastructural strategic positioning of tool construction and pattern and mould making, which is essential for the sustainable development and future viability of European industry, will also be a topic for discussion. This panel discussion, which will be held in English, will focus on the central topics for the industry. The forum is supported by Gardner Business Media.
 
BME forum (International Congress Center Stuttgart)
In parallel to the Moulding Expo, the Association for Supply Chain Management, Procurement and Logistics (BME) is providing seminars for purchasers – that is, for customers of the tool construction and pattern and mould making industry – held in the International Congress Center Stuttgart (ICS). Speakers will focus on the challenges of procuring tools for stamped, bent and formed parts as well as plastic and plastic injection moulded components. The topics range from international market and price trends to interdisciplinary cooperation and supplier management, cost optimisation, technology trends and quality assurance through to legal issues. The trade fair will offer guided tours through the Moulding Expo for participants (31st May and 1st June, at 3:30 pm each day).
 
Moulding Expo Forum (Hall 4, Stand C74)
This forum, held in collaboration with the Hanser Verlag publishing company, consists of presentations by experts, each lasting just 20 minutes and providing valuable information regarding relevant technology topics without keeping visitors away from the trade fair circuit for too long. The speakers consist of experienced companies in the industry and leading experts from institutes and competence centres. Injection moulding and automation will form the central points of discussion for the forum, which will last for three days. In addition, specialist presentations regarding the latest developments in the area of stamping technology will be held on the fourth day of the trade fair.
 
Future forum on tool, pattern and mould making (Oskar Lapp Halle, Hall 6,Stand D53)
Topics for the tool, pattern and mould making market of the future are on the agenda at this forum, which is presented by the trade fair together with the verlag moderne industrie publishing company. These topics range from "tool making for the future" to "customer expectations regarding tool manufacturing companies" through to "laser texturing" and "designing components for compatibility with injection moulding processes". The verlag moderne industrie will also be presenting the industry award for exceptional lifetime achievements in tool construction and pattern and mould making. This award honours pioneers and visionaries who have sent out ground-breaking signals for their profession. It is curated by an expert jury and presented on the exhibitors´ evening.
 
Special show: INNONET Kunststoff (Oskar Lapp Halle, Hall 6, Stand D11)
The INNONET Kunststoff company network comprises almost 100 companies from the plastics industry in Baden-Württemberg and beyond. The competencies of the network partners cover the entire value-added chain in the plastics industry. At this special show during the Moulding Expo, the individual processing steps involved in the production of a plastic part are depicted – from mould making and plastic processing through to combination and printing. As part of this, INNONET will show examples from the fields of plastic injection moulding, ultrasonic welding, pad printing, robot automation and CT measuring technology. 
 
25 years of the Association of German Tool and Moldmakers (VDWF) (Oskar Lapp Halle, Hall 6, Stand C53)
Last, but not least: On the second day of the Moulding Expo trade fair, there will be a birthday celebration for the industry association of tool makers, as it has reached a particularly significant anniversary. On the 31st May, after the official trade fair day, a prominent visitor will give the celebratory speech for the VDWF: Winfried Kretschmann, the State Premier for Baden-Württemberg.
 
Moulding Expo – International Trade Fair for Tool, Pattern and Mould Making
The focal points of the Moulding Expo are tool, pattern and mould making with injection moulding, die-cast moulding, casting, stamping and forming tools, as well as various pattern-making and prototyping methods. Components and accessories, machine tools, processing tools, measuring technology and special machines, software, and systems and services for tool construction and pattern and mould making round off the scope of the trade fair. Specialist forums and special exhibitions complement the varied programme. 620 exhibitors and around 14,000 trade visitors came to Stuttgart for the première in 2015. 
Messe Stuttgart is the organiser of Moulding Expo. It is supported by the German Association of Pattern and Mould Making (BVMF), the German Engineering Federation (VDMA Tool Making Association), the German Association of Tool and Moldmakers (VDWF), the German Machine Tool Builders´ Association (VDW) and the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA).
The next Moulding Expo will take place from 30th May to 2nd June 2017.
 

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