In-depth recap of JIMTOF 2022 (1/4)

The 31st Japan Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF2022), the largest machine tool trade show in Japan, was held at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo for six days from November 8 to 13. It was the first time in four years that JIMTOF was held as an in-person exhibition, and a total of 1,086 companies, the record number in its history, exhibited at the fair. The number of registered visitors was 114,158. Despite remaining concerns about the re-expansion of the COVID-19 infection, this is the “real” exhibition that both exhibitors and visitors have been waiting for. The various plans and events, such as the special “Additive Manufacturing Area” and top seminars, were also well attended, making JIMTOF a vibrant event for the machine tool industry. SEISANZAI Japan’s editorial team presents a thorough look back at JIMTOF 2022 in four parts.

On Friday the 11th, 29,962 visitors (no duplicates), the largest number per day, visited the show. Here is a view of East Hall 4, where machine manufacturers gathered. The aisles were crowded, quite difficult to walk through, showing the popularity of the show.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Seiji Ishihara, President of Tokyo Big Sight, gave the opening remarks.

This is an actual aircraft engine on special display in the South Hall 2. Visitors were fascinated by the power of successive generations of jet engines seen up close.

At Kyocera’s booth, an EV concept car developed together with “Tommykaira,” a tuning car brand originating in Kyoto, Japan, was exhibited.

Sample work unique to additive manufacturing displayed at the AM Area (Matsuura Machinery)

The pathway leading to the East Exhibition Hall by the gate of the West Exhibition Hall was crowded with visitors quite frequently.

AM is all ready for practical use

The newly added “Additive Manufacturing (AM) Area” in the South Exhibition Hall was filled with 59 companies and organizations exhibiting.

Since the AM technologies differ widely in terms of forming methods and available materials, each company has its specialty. At the booths of the companies that have built up their AM expertise, there were many exhibits that highlighted the applications and uses in which each company is strong.

Visitors were intently interested in the demonstrations of actual equipment, presentations, and sample works. One of the booth staff mentioned that “many of the visitors had specific tasks, and their questions and business discussions were very enthusiastic”. For instance, at the Sodick booth, where an explainer was passionately explaining its product, a crowd naturally gathered around the booth as if it were a temporary seminar. The visitors’ eyes were clearly different from the previous times, when they just came to see the new technology out of curiosity.

Sodick’s booth where many visitors stopped to listen to the explanation.

Numerous listeners attended the seminars.

Large workpiece made by AM, displayed at NIDEC MACHINETOOL’s booth.