This article argues that the real challenge for AI adoption in the machine tool industry lies not in technology, but in creating practical value for customers and decision‑making. Many firms have completed digitalization but failed to turn data into actionable insights, resulting in increased operational burden. AI should focus on measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and management outcomes, starting with small, low‑risk applications. As hardware prices become commoditized, future competitiveness will depend on service‑based models and value‑added capabilities rather than equipment sales alone.

Starting from observations at TMTS 2026, this article argues that Taiwan’s machine tool industry has reached a critical turning point where AI must evolve from fragmented pilot projects into systematic transformation. Through six dimensions—management methodology, governance frameworks, technology integration, organizational transformation, international compliance, and value realization—the paper highlights that AI success is not determined by isolated technologies, but by leadership, standardized processes, and lifecycle governance. Enterprises that embed AI into core operations and integrate it across systems can convert technological potential into measurable productivity, resilience, and long‑term competitive advantage.

As of 2026, the global manufacturing industry stands at a historic and critical turning point. Geopolitical shifts are restructuring supply chains, rising tariff barriers are forcing enterprises to seek new markets, and the exponential explosion of AI technology is accelerating automation and intelligent manufacturing. Simultaneously, net-zero carbon emission regulations are driving industrial investment into green production. The machine tool industry—the core of manufacturing known as the "Mother of Machines"—is undergoing an unprecedented reshaping. In the past, the competitiveness of the machine tool industry depended primarily on the cutting speed and precision of hardware. Today, the winning edge has shifted toward software-defined capabilities, data integration, and green sustainability.

In 2026, the global manufacturing industry stands at a critical crossroads of transformation. Following years of supply chain restructuring and technological iterations, Taiwan’s machine tool industry is witnessing a significant economic rebound in 2026. Bolstered by a stabilizing international trade environment, Taiwanese products—renowned for high quality, flexibility, and cost-performance—have officially joined the ranks of "Most Favored Allies" within the global green supply chain. Against this backdrop, the Taiwan International Machine Tool Show (TMTS 2026) will grandly debut from March 25 to 28, 2026. Under the core theme "AI-Powered Sustainable Manufacturing," the event utilizes three primary drivers—Intelligence, Green Transition, and Ecosystem Integration—to propel Taiwan’s manufacturing sector toward a higher echelon of digitalization and internationalization.

Wishing you great success in your endeavors and swift achievements in the Year of the Horse. Convener of the Board of Supervisors Wen-Heng Cho, Standing Supervisor Chen-Peng Wang, Standing Supervisor Yi-Hsuan Hsieh, Supervisor Cheng-Chun Yang, Supervisor Chia-Ho Chuang, Supervisor Ju-Wen Hsieh, Supervisor Kuan-Ling Chen, Supervisor Liang-Chi Yu, and Supervisor Tsung-Nan Tsai Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders’ Association (TMBA)

Wishing you prosperity and good fortune in the Year of the Horse, and great success as you stride into a new journey. Director Yi-Ying Huang, Director Bing-Jie Peng, Director Shui-Jin Huang, Director Che-Hua Chang, Director Chi-Chien Chien, Director Chien-Yu Lin, Director Wei-Yi Huang, Director Shih-Yu Chang, Director Chih-Peng Cheng, Director Ya-Hui Kuo, Director Yao-Te Huang, Director Ming-Hsi Wu, Director Fu-Hsiang Hsu, Director Chang-Yu Lin, Director Chien-Jen Chen, Director Chen-Yung Lin, Director En-Chih Chang, and Director Yu-Yi Yu Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders’ Association (TMBA)

This study develops an automated geometric error measurement and compensation system for the dual rotary axes (A- and B-axes) of a horizontal five-axis machining center in accordance with ISO 230 standards. A single-point touch probe, homogeneous transformation matrices, and a two-stage batch analysis strategy are employed to identify location and motion-dependent errors. The system integrates OPC UA communication to automatically generate and import volumetric compensation data into the CNC controller. Experimental results and NAS979 cutting tests confirm that the proposed approach significantly improves rotary-axis accuracy and overall volumetric precision.

In today’s landscape, where smart manufacturing has become the core competitive advantage of the industry, machining simulation and verification have evolved from auxiliary tools to critical components ensuring the reliability and efficiency of digital manufacturing. With the rapid popularization of automation and AI, the design of toolpaths and machining parameters is shifting from manual expertise toward algorithmic generation. While this significantly enhances design efficiency and innovation speed, it introduces a pivotal challenge: how to verify that automatically generated data can be executed safely on actual production lines while maintaining quality.

To modern eyes, the world's first automobile looks like little more than a horse-drawn carriage equipped with an engine. At the birth of the automobile, the core focus of humanity was simple: how to use mechanical design to make a vehicle actually move. However, as technology matured and demands evolved, the definition of the automobile continuously expanded. It grew from mere mobility to encompass passenger comfort, safety, and convenience, eventually becoming a symbol of lifestyle and personal value. Today, the industry's focus has shifted further toward the environment and energy; the advent of electric vehicles (EVs) is once again rewriting the competitive landscape of global manufacturing.

Under proactive government promotion, AccuteX Technologies has executed the "A+ Industrial Innovation R&D Program" (International Innovation R&D Collaboration) funded by the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). This Taiwan-Spain R&D collaboration spanned 31 months, from September 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025. During this period, AccuteX and its international partner, ONA (Spain), completed the development of the AZ Series, a new generation of Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) products. These machines feature technical highlights designed to enhance quality, productivity, automation, sustainability, and advanced digital services. By leveraging ONA’s expertise in automation and the aerospace industry within the European market, this partnership has elevated AccuteX’s technical standards to meet EU certifications, further fostering bilateral commercial cooperation.

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a critical process in aerospace manufacturing. Traditionally, it has relied heavily on manual experience for parameter tuning, a tedious process that lacks real-time optimization, significantly impacting efficiency and precision. This study developed "AI-Optimized EDM Equipment for Aerospace," utilizing AI self-adaptive technology to pioneer the intelligent adjustment of EDM parameters, enabling real-time monitoring and compensation mechanisms. This innovation reduces finishing time by over 50% and enhances machining precision to within 5 μm. It drives the efficiency and precision upgrades of aerospace-grade components, representing a revolutionary breakthrough for high-end manufacturing. Furthermore, the equipment integrates AIoT centralized management for cross-border remote data monitoring and creates production logs to ensure stability and global supply chain responsiveness. The technology has been implemented by several manufacturers, including First EDM and Joemars, successfully applied to key aerospace engine components and the intelligent upgrading of high-end electric vehicle (EV) connector terminal molds.

From October 22 to 25, "Mechatronics Technology Japan (MECT) 2025" was held at the Port Messe Nagoya in Minato-ku, Nagoya. A record-high 524 companies and organizations participated, attracting a total of 77,613 visitors over four days—slightly exceeding the attendance of the previous exhibition. Despite the challenging domestic sales environment for the Factory Automation (FA) industry, particularly in machine tools, the venue saw vibrant business negotiations. This final report summarizes the highlights of the exhibition and seminars, reviewing the overall performance of MECT 2025.

The Advanced Smart Manufacturing Technology Alliance of National Chung Hsing University will host the '2026 Forum on High-Bandwidth Interconnects in the AI Era: Design, Testing, and Mass Production of Advanced Packaging × Silicon Photonics.' The forum will feature Professor Jing-Wei Pei from the university’s Institute of Photonics, along with several industry experts as speakers. Through the valuable experiences shared by the speakers, the event aims to help participants gain insights into silicon photonics applications, mass production testing, and the industrial development of advanced semiconductor packaging.

COMPUTEX 2026 will, for the first time, officially establish an AI Robotics Exhibition Area at the Xinyi World Trade Center, together with the Technology Experience Zone to create the most futuristic showcase of technology. This is the best opportunity to demonstrate Taiwan’s strength in AI Robotics and its capability in supply chain integration to global buyers. As exhibition booths in all other halls are already fully booked, the organizer has reserved only a very limited number of booths at the Xinyi World Trade Center exclusively for companies in AI robotics-related technologies and products. Availability is limited, so don’t miss the chance to apply.

he award ceremony for the 22nd Hiwin Thesis Award was held with great distinction on March 28. Student Shen Yi-Hsuan and Professor Lin Pei-Chun from National Taiwan University (NTU) received the highest honor, the Gold Award, for their thesis titled "Development of a Whole-Body Force Control Framework for RHex-type Robots with Variable Multiple Contact Points." The award includes a prize of NT$1 million. This year, NTU recommended 14 theses for the competition, 9 of which reached the final defense, and 6 ultimately secured awards. This outstanding performance established NTU as the biggest winner of the session.

When AI is no longer just a tool for process optimization but begins to "learn, judge, and inherit expertise," the competitive logic of the manufacturing industry is undergoing a total transformation. In collaboration with TechOrange, the TMTS 2026 International Forum provided an in-depth analysis of how Embodied AI is entering production lines and how human experience is being digitally replicated. The forum explored topics ranging from AI robotics and Digital Twins to defense, aerospace, and semiconductor supply chains, highlighting how Taiwan's machine tool and precision machinery industries are building a more resilient intelligent manufacturing ecosystem amidst geopolitical shifts and high-volatility environments.

The 2026 Taiwan International Machine Tool Show (TMTS) will grandly debut from March 25 to 28 at the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center (TICEC). In alignment with the TMTS 2026 core theme, "DX & GX for a Sustainable Future," HIWIN Group will host a joint exhibition featuring its three major business entities: HIWIN Technologies, HIWIN MIKROSYSTEM, and MATRIX Precision. This exhibition provides a comprehensive demonstration of the Group’s vertical integration capabilities—ranging from precision critical components and nano-scale positioning and control systems to high-end gear equipment and complete line solutions—highlighting its systemic strength in high-end manufacturing and autonomous supply chains.

In the new era driven by AI, the requirements for machining precision, efficiency, and stability in the precision machinery industry continue to rise. Facing rapidly changing market challenges, the competitiveness of machine tools no longer depends solely on individual hardware, but rather on the overall performance of the control system in terms of efficiency, flexibility, and digital integration capabilities. At booth H0241 of the TMTS 2026 (Taiwan International Machine Tool Show), Siemens Digital Industries is showcasing the new generation digital CNC platform, SINUMERIK ONE. Featuring forward-looking functions that combine industrial-grade AI, digital twins, and intelligent control technologies, Siemens is creating diverse integration possibilities for the machine tool industry—assisting manufacturers and end-users in enhancing machining efficiency, shortening development cycles, and accelerating digital transformation.

The 2026 Taiwan International Machine Tool Show (TMTS), organized by the Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA), officially concluded today. Throughout the four-day exhibition, the atmosphere for business negotiations remained vibrant, with continuous opportunities emerging. The event successfully attracted professional buyers from over 80 countries, totaling nearly 73,000 visits from domestic and international participants. International visitors accounted for approximately 10% of the total attendance, with procurement effects estimated to exceed USD 2 billion.

January 2026 Taiwan Machine Tool Import and Export Statistics Machine Tool Exports and Imports In January 2026, Taiwan's total machine tool exports reached approximately US$156 million, representing a 15.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Total imports stood at US$50.05 million, a 34.8% decrease year-over-year. Machine Tool Key Components For key components of machine tools, the total export value in January 2026 was approximately US$129 million, growing by 31.2% compared to the previous year. The total import value for these components was US$17.83 million, a significant 63.1% increase year-over-year.

U.S. metalworking machinery orders reached a record $814.3 million in December 2025, pushing the full‑year total to $5.74 billion, up 22.5% from 2024. After bottoming out in mid‑2024, demand recovered with support from IMTS, lower interest-rate pressure, and favorable tax policies. While order value rose steadily, unit counts were more volatile, reflecting industry uncertainty and long‑term investment behavior. Aerospace and commercial/service machinery drove growth, while machine shops lagged slightly. Strong investment trends and rising industrial activity are expected to continue into 2026, supported by AI‑related demand, metal industry expansion, and improved economic alignment.

Heller and DN Solutions look forward to creating a partnership for innovation and growth through this acquisition - Strategic partnership strengthens their position in precision engineering. - The acquisition comes at a pivotal time, with major industries experiencing strong revival. - The two companies join forces to preserve HELLER’s brand identity and build a one-stop-shop in machine tool manufacturing.