MF-TOKYO, the first in-person event in four years, attracts lots of the latest technology

MF-TOKYO2023, an exhibition specializing in metal forming technology (presses, sheet metal forming, automation and peripheral equipment), was held at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo from July 12 to 15, 2023. 

Due to the influence of COVID-19, it was the first time in four years that the exhibition was held in-person. The theme of this year’s exhibition was “Technology friendly to humans and the earth, for a reliable future”. Many of the latest machines were on display and attracted the attention of visitors. 

State-of-the-art press technology 

MF-TOKYO2023, an exhibition specializing in metal forming machinery, was held in person for the first time in four years. Many visitors gathered for lively business discussions. 

Komatsu Industries exhibited the “H1F200-2” servo press as a reference.

Komatsu Industries (Kanazawa City, Japan, President and CEO: Yasushi Kitade) exhibited its servo press machine “H1F200-2” as a reference exhibit. The machine is equipped with a large touch panel on the control panel, which makes it easier to operate. It is also equipped with a function that automatically generates the slide motion by testing the press once. The person in charge of the company said: “The concept of the system is that it can be operated intuitively. We want to see the visitors’ reaction and make the best use of it in developing our products”. 

The new “SX-30-900” from NIDEC DRIVE TECHNOLOGY.

NIDEC DRIVE TECHNOLOGY (Kyoto, Japan; President and COO: Koji Shimano) introduced its new model “SX-30-900” press machine. The maximum speed is 1,700 rpm, and when equipped with an aluminum alloy slide, the maximum speed increases to 1,900 rpm. Expressing confidence in the new machine, the person in charge of the machine said, “The high speed and high-stability structure at the bottom dead center enables the fastest production level in the industry”. 

Laser cutting machine and MC working together 

Among the sheet-metal working machines on display, Yamazaki Mazak also exhibited its “VCN-460” machining center.

Yamazaki Mazak exhibited a combination of the “OPTIPLEX 3015 NEO,” a fiber laser cutting machine with a maximum power of 15 kW, and the “VCN-460,” a vertical machining center (MC). The company promoted the ability to create operating programs for both the laser cutting machine and the MC from the same CAD data used to design the workpieces. Kazuya Horibe, Senior Corporate Officer of Yamazaki Mazak, explained, “This is something that only our company, which is involved in both machine tools and laser cutting machines, can offer. 

Mitsubishi Electric and Murata Machinery (Kyoto, Japan; President: Daisuke Murata) jointly exhibited laser cutting machines and peripherals, etc. “We also intend to collaborate with manufacturers of CAD/CAM and peripheral equipment to improve our customers’ competitiveness,” said a person in charge of Mitsubishi Electric’s Factory Automation Systems Group. At the booth, they explained their efforts to retrofit existing machines with the latest technologies and their future development policies. 

SHIBUYA‘s “SPF4125/SFX2000D” fiber laser cutting machine features open covers at the front, left, right, and top of the machine. The structure of the machine combines a wide processing range with a small footprint, making it easy to install even in places with many restrictions. 

Wide range of peripheral equipment 

Sankyo Seisakusho (Tokyo, Japan; Chairman and CEO: Hiroumi Ogawa) introduced its new “Variax VZA/VZC Series” loop controllers, which feed rolled sheet metal material to presses. Loop controllers typically have an “S-shaped” mechanism that feeds material from the bottom up. The Variax VZA/VZC Series feeds material in a “Z-shape” from top to bottom. Yohei Sasaki, director of the company, explains the advantage of the Z-shaped feeding mechanism: “By feeding the sheet metal in a Z-shape, we have reduced the possibility of the sheet metal flapping under the influence of gravity and other factors.” 

Authentec (Sagamihara City, Japan, President: Zen Takata) exhibited its new deburring machine “AUDEBU IQNOIA”. It consumes less power than conventional machines, simplifies setup work and machine operation, and reduces consumable parts. The person in charge said, “We aimed to create a deburring machine that is required in the new era.”