Made in Milan: Bi-Mu 2014
With new areas devoted to additive manufacturing and machine tool management technologies, Bi-Mu 2014 was a major hit in Milan, Italy.
Classic Ferraris along the Onda Rossa (Red Wave) made clear the connection between automotive production and the Italian machine tool industry.
A line of gleaming Ferraris welcomed those attending the Bi-Mu/SFORTEC machine tool show Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2014, in Milan, Italy. On display at the Onda Rossa, or the “Red Wave,” the sleek vehicles made an immediate connection between the renowned automaker and the Italian machine tool industry.
Between the 1,060 exhibitors at the biennial show, 47 percent of whom hailed from outside Italy, some 3,000 machines were on display. New features included the CIS-RP&3D area, devoted to additive manufacturing, and Focus Mecha-Tronic, showcasing optimized machine management and connectivity. Pianeta Giovani (Planet Youth) attracted high school students keen on learning about careers in manufacturing, and there were educational sessions available for all attendees. The show also served as the platform announcing the launch of The Italian Additive Manufacturing Association (AITA) with Luis Galdabini—president of Cesare Galdabini Spa and head of UCIMU-Sistemi Per Produrre, the official sponsor of Bi-Mu—serving as the association’s first president.
News that Bi-Mu had been awarded “sustainable event” status by ICIM, the Italian independent certification body, for best ecological practices buoyed the spirits of all those attending the show.
Click here for a brief slideshow of things that caught my eye during the show.
