The Larger METALEX Opens 37th Edition with Comprehensive Metalworking Solutions and Cutting-Edge Innovations

Dr. Nattapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary the Ministry of Industry, presiding over the opening ceremony of the event, revealed that the Ministry places significant importance on the development and transformation of the entire supply chain of manufacturing. Such advancement can be achieved by upgrading machinery, reducing energy consumption and carbon emission, adopting robotic and automation technologies, and implementing digital technology to plan and manage production real-time. The government has been driving the Industry 4.0 transformation through such initiatives as robotic and automation industry development which covers marketing, enhancing competitiveness of System Integrators (SI), creating supply by promoting investments in robotic and automation systems, and developing the potential of SMEs in this industry. Dr. Nattapol emphasized the necessity for the manufacturing sector to adopt suitable machinery and technology to efficiently develop the production sector. METALEX 2023 is recognized and widely celebrated in ASEAN as an event for industrial experts, leading machinery manufacturers, and traders from across the region to showcase manufacturing technologies and smart innovations. The event provides a platform for networking, negotiations, and discussions to seek trade partnerships. The exhibition will feature the latest innovations in machine tools and automated technologies that will make their debuts in this event. Additionally, numerous seminars on current and trending topics will be conducted by industry experts. Dr. Nattapol expressed confidence that METALEX 2023 will create opportunities for participants to leverage technology, knowledge, and business networks for further advancement, fostering growth and development in the country's metalworking sector.
Mrs. Varaporn Dhamcharee, Managing Director of RX Tradex, ASEAN's leading exhibition organizer, stated that the "METALEX 2023" event is now in its 37th year. The event aims to provide businesses with innovations, new technologies, knowledge, partners, and new collaborators to apply and address increasingly complex challenges in today's business environment, particularly in response to trade measures that impose stricter requirements and practices. In this year's event, in addition to showcasing innovations from over 2,500 brands from 50 countries, there is a lot more to expect when compared to the previous edition. This includes the expansion of exhibition space for several product profiles, the addition of special features as well as new seminars.

"This year, participants will get to experience more at the show, including:

• Expanded exhibition space:
  • Machine Tool area increased by 30%
    oSheet metalworking area increased by 75%
    oFactory Automation area increased by 70%
    oRobot area increased by 95%
• A comprehensive range of metalworking solutions with the participation of several prominent brands:
  • Machine Tool: International machine tool companies are returning to the event after the COVID period, including GF AgieCharmilles as well as Rollomatic from Switzerland that can produce work pieces that require high precision such as aerospace components.
  • Sheet Metalworking: This year sees strong advancements in sheet metalworking technology from Asia that offers higher power that can work with thicker materials, deliver higher volumes, and reduce costs. Participating brands include AMADA and KOMATSU from Japan, as well as JIER, Accurl, and Reci from China.
  • Metrology: European brands join the event in this category, such as Mahr from Germany and Carl Zeiss, a renowned lens manufacturer from Germany.
  • Factory Automation: With an expanded exhibition space, the showcase for factory automation extends to the foyer area. Participating brands include Misumi from Japan.
  • Robots: Leading brands are featured, including Yaskawa, Fanuc, Nachi, and Kawasaki from Japan; Universal Robot from Denmark; Kuka from Germany; Siasun, Techman, and Hans Robot from China; as well as Hiwin from Taiwan (R.O.C.)
• The exhibition space has been expanded with an addition of 3 special features which makes the event even more comprehensive:
  • Smart Materials.
  • Additive manufacturing: Featuring big names like ZG, Flashforged, and Dome 3D offering 3D metal printers.
  • Artificial Intelligence.
• The gathering of 21 leading Japanese machine tool companies under the JAMTAT (Japanese Machine Tools Association of Thailand) Pavilion.
• There are several new innovations being introduced for the first time in ASEAN, including:
  • A new metal folding machine with the latest Servo technology from AMADA in Japan. It is precise and efficient featuring voice-activated controls as well as other user-friendly capabilities.
  • Latest laser machine from GF AgieCharmilles, a Swiss brand, imported by Sahamit Machinery providing solutions for engraving and surface marking with lasers, enhancing the quality of component production.
  • A machining center from Brother, imported from Japan by Yamazen (Thailand), that delivers high output and environmental efficiency enabling the cutting of large or multi-sided workpieces.
  • A Cobot from Nachi Technology Thailand offering high-speed and precision in handling workpieces, achieving top speeds comparable to industrial robots.
  • A compact, high-speed, highly accurate, and efficient machining centers from Fanuc Thai featuring a tool magazine capable of holding up to 28 tools," said Mrs. Varaporn.

In addition to the technology showcases, RX Tradex also collaborates with 34 organizations and trade associations to organize 41 conference sessions featuring 119 speakers. Highlighted conferences include "METALEX AI Forum: Key Success on AI Project Management," held in collaboration with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) and the Thai IoT Association on the morning of November 23. Additionally, in the afternoon of November 24, the "METALEX AI Forum: National AI Strategy, Best Practices, and Lesson Learnt - AI in Manufacturing" will take place in collaboration with the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC). On November 24, there are three conferences: "Metallurgy Forum" addressing "CBAM Defensive Measure of Thai Aluminum Industry and Lead to Circular Economy" in collaboration with the Aluminum Industry Group, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC). Also noteworthy is the "EV Tech Forum" discussing "Emerging Business in EV Ecosystem" in collaboration with the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT). Also, introducing a new conference called "Additive Manufacturing Forum" focusing on "Exploring Opportunities to Become the Next Industrialization" in collaboration with the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC).

"We anticipate over 95,000 participants at METALEX 2023 and the trade value of business deals from the event are expected to exceed 7 billion THB," concluded Mrs. Varaporn

METALEX 2023 will be held at Halls 98-104, BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center), from November 22nd to 25th, 2023, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. As this is a trade event, visitors are requested to not wear shorts and flip-flops, and children under the age of 15 are not permitted inside the event due to the presences of large machinery. Advance registration for the event is available at www.metalex.co.th. For further information, please contact RX Tradex at 02 686 7222 or via email at [email protected].