Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Exhibition
November 17, 2025
By: Shu Yasumi, Editor-in-Chief of SEISANZAI Japan, Atsushi Mizuno, Staff Editor, SEISANZAI Japan
Practical solutions take center stage as exhibitors address real-world needs
EMO Hannover 2025, one of the world’s largest machine tool exhibitions, was held in Hannover, Germany, from September 22–26. Around 1,600 companies and organizations from 45 countries exhibited, drawing approximately 80,000 visitors over five days. The show marked its 50th anniversary since its inaugural event in 1975. Despite a slowdown in European manufacturing, exhibitors focused on grounded, practical proposals aligned with market needs.
EMO Hannover 2025 attracted 1,600 exhibitors from 45 countries over five days, with total attendance reaching approximately 80,000. While the milestone 50th anniversary was significant, the event also faced declining exhibitor participation.
EMO alternates between Hannover, Germany (twice) and Milan, Italy (once) in odd-numbered years. The last Hannover edition in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, attracted 2,211 exhibitors. Excluding Milan editions, every Hannover show since 2001 had exceeded 2,000 exhibitors—until now.
The 2023 edition saw exhibitor numbers drop by about 20% compared to 2019, to approximately 1,850. This year’s event declined by a further approximately 10%. While EMO remains one of the world’s largest exhibitions, the gradual downsizing reflects the stagnant European manufacturing economy. The decline in European machine tool production since last year, particularly Germany’s struggling automotive sector, has significantly impacted capital investment. Some exhibitors believe the downturn has “bottomed out,” but most expect only a gradual recovery.
DMG MORI expressed “DMG MORI WORLD” across all of Hall 2
The organizer, VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), highlighted three key themes: automation, digitalization, and sustainability, with artificial intelligence (AI) as a crucial digital enabler. These represent universal needs, with automation and digitalization becoming common themes across virtually all exhibitors.
While no groundbreaking new technology trends emerged, the slowing market conditions made practical, customer-focused solutions critical. Automation technology drew the strongest visitor interest, with many exhibitors showcasing products featuring low adoption barriers and high flexibility.
DMG MORI occupied all of Hall 2 with “DMG MORI WORLD,” presenting the future of manufacturing. The company organized areas by sector—Aerospace, Mobility, Die & Mold, Medical, and Data/Semiconductor—proposing optimal products for each field. Over 40 machines were displayed as solutions, including eight world premieres.
A notable feature was the variety of automation approaches. The new 5-axis machining center “DMC 65 monoBLOCK 2nd Generation” paired with “MATRIS WPH 210” features a vertical articulated robot that handles both workpieces and pallets without changing grippers.
The company also attracted significant attention with demonstrations of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) automatically transporting pallets, tools, and chip buckets.
Yamazaki Mazak exhibited a total of 20 machine tools
Yamazaki Mazak displayed 20 machine tools, with 12 featuring automation solutions. The “Ez LOADER 125i” automation cell operates from the machine’s NC panel, automating workpiece loading. By inputting workpiece dimensions, the system automatically calculates gripping positions, lowering the automation barrier.
A “Solution Center” within the booth responded to visitor inquiries, introducing appropriate machines and services for each challenge. “This was our first attempt at EMO, and utilization was very high with positive feedback,” said Executive Officer Naoya Tanaka.
Yasda Precision Tools exhibited the 5-axis machining center “YBM Vi50” integrated with an automation system built by Sweden’s System 3R.
The YBM Vi50 can machine large workpieces up to 500 kg with high precision. Automating the transport of large, heavy workpieces offers significant advantages. “We received inquiries during the show,” said Kenzo Chikada, Head of Overseas Sales.
Makino’s 5-axis horizontal machining center “a630iT” attracted significant attention
Europe faces not only labor shortages but also a severe shortage of skilled workers. Many exhibitors emphasized product usability and intuitive operation.
Makino Milling Machine unveiled the 5-axis horizontal machining center “a630iT,” featuring a high-rigidity trunnion table for machining complex shapes. The machine comes standard with the newly developed control software “Professional 7,” implementing multiple new functions that improve usability.
Specific features include detecting appropriate cutting conditions by measuring spindle load during test cuts and detecting tool wear conditions. Director Haruyuki Shiraishi, Executive Manager of R&D Division, stated: We’re using software to enable anyone to do what previously required skilled workers.”
Okuma showcased compact horizontal machining centers such as the “MS-320H”
Okuma showcased products with excellent operability and machining accuracy. The compact horizontal machining center “MS-320H” features a machine structure that prevents chip accumulation in the machining chamber, making it suitable for long continuous operations.
German tool grinding machine manufacturer VOLLMER exhibited the new product “VGrind infinity LINEAR” for the first time.
An Area Sales Manager, VOLLMER Japan, explained: “It’s a flexible grinding machine that can process everything from micro tools to large tools on one machine, with high customizability.” The company also demonstrated optional features for automating indexable insert tool processing.
VOLLMER premiered the “VGrind infinity LINEAR”
Metrology equipment manufacturers also emphasized new product proposals. Italy’s Marposs unveiled the non-contact tool measuring system “VTS.” The integrated CCD camera photographs tool tips to assess wear conditions. The company also exhibited machining monitoring systems and optical measuring systems.
Germany’s Blum-Novotest premiered “LC54-DIGILOG.” Using laser irradiation, it can measure tool diameter and length non-contact. The system now also manages grinding tool dimensions. Nobuyuki Asao, Managing Director of the Japanese subsidiary (Komaki, Aichi) stated: “We want to propose this to sites using grinding tools in multitasking machines.”
DMG MORI President Dr. Masahiko Mori
Looking at the European market by country, Germany is slowly moving but remains tough, and Italy and Switzerland aren’t doing well either. On the other hand, France, Spain, and the Nordics are performing well, and the UK isn’t bad. Machine tool manufacturers heavily specialized in automotive appear to be facing difficulties.
Despite this environment, our order situation remains stable. Contributing factors include our service bases worldwide with comprehensive systems, and compatibility with five major CNC controller manufacturers.
All machine tools in our exhibition booth featured unified “ERGOline X” operating panels, allowing visitors to experience the same operational feel regardless of controller. Software can now update via cloud, and machine accuracy and core technologies have evolved. These are the results of initiatives we’ve been preparing for about five years.
Okuma President Dr. Atsushi Ieki
We’re focusing on automation proposals that require minimal human intervention while protecting process capability. This requires understanding machine tool mechanisms to control them, and understanding control limits to build hardware. That forms the foundation for automation. Machines that maintain consistent machining accuracy without unexpected behavior during 24-hour continuous operation can protect process capability.
Skilled workers are in short supply everywhere, and automation is necessary to maintain product quality. We showcased solutions at the show that anyone can easily use with minimal human intervention. In the future, users’ capital investment policies will increasingly emphasize total solution performance rather than evaluating machines individually.
September 29, 2025
September 26, 2025
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