TIMTOS Press Conference emphasizes smart technology

THERE has been a lot of news about TIMTOS over the past months or so from both local and international media. Twenty-three media companies from 16 countries gathered for TIMTOS 2015 Press Conference at Meeting Room 403, Level 4 at the Nangang Exhibition Center. Given the number of journalists who came, it was somewhat assured that the increase expresses the continued commitment and possibly a positive economic optimism of Taiwan's machine tools industry community.

To get things started, Mr John Hsu, Chairman of Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), gave the first message. “TIMTOS is expected to bring in US$2.1 billion worth of business opportunities. It is also expected to boost the revenue of several machine tools and machine parts manufacturers to exceed NT$10 billion (US$317 million), such as Victor Taichung, Fair Friend Group, Tongtai Group, Goodway Machine Corp., and Hiwin Technologies Corporation. It is estimated that the annual export value of machinery industry will grow from 8% to 10%, and possibly reach a record high. By the end of the year, the machinery industry should be able to achieve the goal of becoming one of the three major industries in Taiwan worth over NT$1 trillion (US$3.17 billion).

Mr. Yih Jyh KANG Executive Director of Exhibition Department Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), explained, “TIMTOS 2015 marks the debut of many automated products. For example, the mechanical power press maker CHIN FONG has launched its automated automotive sheet metal production line, which can boost the efficiency of laser welded molding plate and sheet output by over 30%. Another example is FATEK, of FEMCO Group, who has developed two types of fully automated aluminum wheel production lines.”

According Mr. KANG, another highlight of TIMTOS 2015 is the Taiwan Controller Appliance Pavilion, which is exhibited on the fourth floor of the Nangang Exhibition Hall. It features three Taiwanese controller makers (SYNTEC Technology, Delta and Advantech-LNC) and 6 machine tool manufacturers (Goodway, Tongtai, Yang Iron, Manford, Chevalier and Chiah Chyun), who are showcasing the applications of Taiwanese CNC machine tools, such as cell phone case processing and dental implant processing.

Mr. Alan LU, Chairman of Machine Tool Committee, TAMI talked about Industry 4.0. “Many are discussing the technology trend triggered by “Industry 4.0” nowadays. In fact, there were many “smart machines” with built-in software and connectivity displayed at the IMTS 2014 in the U.S. and JIMTOF in Japan already. Taiwanese makers have the IT advantages to keep up with the specification of smart machines and peripherals. The key, however, lies in the data openness of major controller makers.”

TAMI Chairman of Machine Parts & Elements Committee Mr. King WANG also said something about Industry 4.0. “From a machine part maker’s perspective, I think Taiwanese machine tool manufacturers should invest in developing products that fulfils industry 4.0 and other market needs. Machine part makers, on the other hand, can try to design products according to user needs. Taiwanese machine part makers work with manufacturers around the world. We improve ourselves by working with countries with advanced technology, and we can share what we have learned with our Taiwanese partners to enhance the quality of Taiwanese machine tools.”

Lastly, all eyes of the machine tool world are on TIMTOS 2015, Asia’s top machine tool event that connects the makers, products, and buyers for massive business opportunities. This is a place where smart technology meets a global marker and where innovation spell success.