JANUARY 27--Nearly four months before the start of AUTOMATICA 2006, which will take place from 16 to 19 May, 2006, at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre, more than 600 companies from 37 countries have registered to take part. Of these, one-third will be first-time exhibitors at this international trade fair for automation with a focus on assembly and handling technology, robotics, machine vision, and associated technologies.
In the robotics section, in particular, the list of registered companies reads like a 'Who´s Who' of the sector: ABB, FANUC, KUKA, motoman, REIS, and others. With new registrations from Panasonic and OTC, the ranks of the exhibitors are now more or less complete. The fastest expanding section at the fair is assembly and handling technology. Here, the key players have committed themselves to take part; they include bwm, FESTO, Feintool, FlexLink, Preh, and USK. Even at this stage, more than 29,000 square meters of exhibition space have been booked. In 2006, therefore, the exhibition will be held in a total of five halls, the core areas of AUTOMATICA being allocated to the various halls.
The largest section, in terms of number of exhibitors, is assembly and handling technology, to be held in Halls A1 and A2. In Hall A1 the emphasis will be on systems, while in A2, it will be on components, profiles, positioning systems, material flow, feeder technology, lifting gear, and similar themes from the field of assembly and handling technology.
Exhibiting in Halls B2 and B3 are robotics companies. The manufacturers here are spread across both halls, which means both the halls will be equally attractive and interesting. Also accommodated in these halls is the section on drive technology. In Hall B1 the focus will be on machine vision. Also a part of this hall is dedicated to sensor technology, control systems technology, supply technology, safety technology, and software.
Research and development is set up in Hall B3, where there will be leading representatives such as DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt - the German aerospace centre) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation. Here visitors will be able to find out about the latest innovations and commercial applications in this field in a special "Service Robotics Display."
The strong international participation in AUTOMATICA is particularly important for the success of the event. Exhibitors from all five continents will be attending. Also, national or regional pavilions are expected from Italy, the USA, and Luxembourg.
In 2006, for the first time, the world´s largest robotics congress, the International Symposium on Robotics (ISR 2006), and the German robotics congress (Robotik 2006) will be taking place concurrently with AUTOMATICA in the International Congress Centre Munich. These congresses, lasting three days, are expected to attract approximately 500 participants from Germany and abroad, all coming to find out about and report on the latest developments, trends, and applications for robots. By opting for Munich and running concurrently with AUTOMATICA, the ISR underlines the quality of the trade fair and the location.
One major attraction of AUTOMATICA is its clearly defined product groups, developed in close cooperation with the robotics and automation industry. This classification was optimized further for the 2006 event. The key technologies of assembly and handling technology, robotics, and machine vision form the core sections. Associated technologies are divided into positioning systems, drive technology, sensor technology, control systems technology, safety technology, supply technology, software, services and service providers, and research and technology.
Under the motto of 'Innovation and Solutions' the trade visitors will find not only the latest trends and innovations but also specific solutions that can further optimize their production processes. AUTOMATICA covers the entire value-added chain in automation, from the component through to the system, from specific applications to services. It offers automation solutions optimally adapted to every production challenge. For those wanting a comprehensive review of the use of automation in a range of sectors, including their own, a visit to AUTOMATICA is a must.
The fair is targeted specifically at users and developers of robotics and automation--from large international concerns to SMEs and startups. For further information on AUTOMATICA and a full, up-to-date list of registered exhibitors, go to: www.automatica-munich.com.
