Hannover Fair Widens Coverage

Change is the only constant in business today, and tradeshows are no exception. With the incorporation of Interkama+ as an annual event—after its relocation from Düsseldorf and debut here in 2004—plus the addition of two other shows, Hannover Industrial Fair is at an all-time high for number of shows under one umbrella. Added for 2005 are Industrial Services & Equipment and ComVac (covering compressed air and vacuum technologies). Event organizer Deutsche Messe AG (DEMAG) apparently believes that 11 shows are the new course for success for the “world’s largest industrial fair,” based in part on the positive reception of Interkama last year.

DEMAG forecasts some 6,000 exhibitors from 60 countries for the 2005 event, with a total display area of more than 200,000 sq m (over 2.15 million sq ft), figures that indicate growth over 2004. Another change this year is the slimming down of the fair to five days from six.

Focus on controls, automation

Among the various exhibition venues (see “Show at a glance” sidebar), readers of Control Engineering will most likely focus on Factory Automation, Interkama+, Motion, Drive & Automation, and Digital Factory.

Factory Automation (FA) —will present what’s new in automation at all stages of manufacturing, using integrated and network-based methods. Special highlights of FA will include “Automation Live,” demonstrating integrated solutions from Volkswagen and its many suppliers, and the “Robotics User Center,” featuring varied applications of industrial and service robots—both in Hall 17.

Main focus of Interkama+ will be process automation, along with IT solutions; field devices and components; control systems; and services for engineering, maintenance, and processes. “Interkama Forum” of moderated, one-hour panel discussions by industry experts on current topics, plus short presentations, will be ongoing all during the fair in Hall 8.

Featured in 2005 and odd-numbered years, Motion, Drive & Automation (MDA) will focus on the many facets of power transmission. MDA is set to bring together 1,300 exhibitors, split about evenly between electrical/mechanical power transmission and fluid power technologies. A special exhibit on Condition Monitoring will expose visitors to the latest methods to monitor and mitigate long-term damage and aging of equipment.

Digital Factory , the IT solutions venue for manufacturing and processing, seeks to show how design, planning, and manufacturing can be more efficiently integrated for quicker product development. A group exhibit, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and related software will be key elements here. Digital Factory’s 4,500 sq m display space represents a 50% increase over its 2004 debut.

U.S. presence

As usual, the U.S. will be well represented by companies exhibiting directly or via their European subsidiaries. In addition, “USA Pavilions,” organized by Hannover Fairs USA, will be in place to ease exhibition concerns of smaller companies. The USA Total Automation Pavilion (Hall 17) will feature companies engaged in production automation and process automation, along with IT solutions applicable to both arenas.

The National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) Pavilion (Hall 19) will house U.S. exhibitors active in the latest hydraulic and pneumatic technologies, while the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) Pavilion (Hall 26) will do the same for electrical and mechanical power transmission companies. All three pavilions are located in the heart of the fair’s action.

Traditions are important at Hannover Fair. They include an opening ceremony the night before the event and an annual “Partner Country” program. German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder will preside over the opening, joined by other dignitaries and Russian President Vladimir Putin, representing this year’s partner country exhibition of Russian industry and products.

The Show at a Glance

Dates : April 11-15, 2005 Location : Fairgrounds, Hannover, Germany Hours : 9 a.m. to 6 p. m.

Interkama+ Halls 7-9, 11, 14-17

Factory Automation Halls 7-9, 11, 14-17

Motion, Drive & Automation Halls 17, 19-26, OAS *

Digital Factory Hall 16

MicroTechnology Halls 14, 15

Energy Halls 11-13, OAS *

Research & Technology Hall 2

ComVac Hall 27

Surface Technology plus PCE** Hall 6

Subcontracting Hall 3-5

Industrial Services & Equipment Hall 27

*- Open-air site **- Powder Coating Europe

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