Theme of JIMTOF 2024
This year’s theme featured the Mobius strip (∞), symbolizing infinite possibilities, under the slogan:
“Technologies passed down to the future offer unlimited possibilities.”
The goal is to carry today’s manufacturing technologies into the future and foster limitless collaboration among academia, industry, government, and research institutions worldwide. This vision aims to expand the machine tool industry into diverse fields, integrating both software and hardware technologies and enabling innovative applications across various sectors.
JIMTOF 2022, themed "Open the Door to the Future," positioned Digital Transformation (DX) and Green Transformation (GX) as the primary solutions to labor shortages, skill gaps, and carbon neutrality. Global leaders such as DMG MORI, MAZAK, and OKUMA showcased advanced Digital Twins, AI-driven automation, and remote support systems designed to lower operational barriers and maximize efficiency. Regarding GX, the industry has shifted toward "Green Smart Machines," utilizing real-time energy monitoring, automatic idle-stop functions, and intelligent thermal compensation to replace energy-intensive cooling. The exhibition underscored that DX serves as the technical foundation for achieving GX. Their synergy is driving the machine tool industry toward a high-efficiency, low-carbon future, providing a vital roadmap for global sustainable manufacturing.
This article explores the evolution of machine tools showcased at JIMTOF 2022, focusing on Process Integration and Factory Automation to address labor shortages and decarbonization. Key highlights include in-machine measurement, 5-axis multitasking, and the integration of special processes (e.g., AM and FSW) to achieve "Done-in-One" efficiency. Furthermore, advancements in AI vision, collaborative robots, and AMRs overcome obstacles in long-term unmanned operations. The article concludes that the synergy between hardware, software, and Digital Twin technology is the vital driver for the industry’s Digital and Green Transformation (DX/GX).
