METAVAK 2023: more accessible and versatile than ever before

The event hall in Gorinchem will soon become the trade temple for every professional from the metalworking industry. On October 10, 11 and 12 this year, the annual METAVAK will take place. A proven platform of event specialist EASYFAIRS, where products, knowledge, innovation and above all like-minded people from the entire metal industry will meet.

METAVAK

This edition will be one without its sister event Welding Week, which will be held simultaneously with the Subcontracting and Metal as Advanced Manufacturing Belgium fairs on May 14/15/16, 2024 at the Antwerp Expo. So no Welding Week in Gorinchem, and therefore METAVAK will soon provide the new area Connection Techniques, a spacious zone where the latest techniques and innovations in the field of connection techniques such as welding, gluing and cutting will take center stage. The other areas of expertise on the exhibition floor are the perennial favorites machining, sheet metal working, surface treatment and, of course, 3D printing. 

Key highlights

This new edition of METAVAK will once again have some new accents of its own in terms of both content and layout, according to Suzanne Schneiders and Jamie van de Louw of EASYFAIRS: "The placement, or better still, the grouping of the various booths will be done in a more accurate, more thematic way this time. For example, you will see the supplier of the driver of a certain CNC machine lined up right next to that machine builder and even the distributor, which makes it a lot more obvious for visitors to find their way around the show floor," said Van de Louw.

Knowledge Sharing 

With an intensified emphasis on communication, knowledge sharing and the social, METAVAK is moving away from the classic approach of a traditional trade show that merely displays products to its audience. After all, in these times, a commercial platform becomes irrelevant if it does not mean at least as much as a social hub and platform of communication. Schneiders: "The knowledge sharing that we achieve through, among other things, a knowledge theater and a knowledge event (organized by the Dutch Institute for Welding Technology) is therefore becoming increasingly important. This year we are focusing on three themes in this regard: automation, digitization and robotization. Good examples here are companies offering an online configurator that allows you to develop a fully automated custom line. Really integral, going from material selection, to machining, to finishing. "

"In fact, as event organizers, we are constantly on the lookout for these kinds of innovations, which we then like to share with the public in the first line at our fair. A lot of hot topics, such as currently data security, for example, are covered here," Schneiders stated.

Engaging students:

Just how important tapping into young talent at an early stage is can be seen from the massive interest the industry is currently showing in healthy interaction with schools and - of course - their students. A trend that METAVAK is also intensively incorporating into its 2023 edition. By organizing meet-and-greet moments, the fair is responding to that general demand, and it really comes from all corners. Schneiders: "We are doing everything we can to facilitate contact between those parties and then see if we, together with the Metaalunie and others, can make an offer to our exhibitors so that students can come into contact with them in a low-threshold, accessible way. This clearly involves much more than internships, for example. The shortages in the labor market are so enormous that a start is often already made on our platform for subsequent recruitment."

METAVAK 2023

Oct. 10, 11 & 12, 2023
Evenementenhal Gorinchem
www.metavak.nl

Featured: The BIT-Welder 

Every year there are one or more booths and products that are pioneers or firsts at the fair. Decisive criteria then include simplicity of use, flexibility, ease of entry, safety, efficiency and cost savings. The BIT-Welder from BUS Industrial Tools, for example, meets each of these conditions. 

WHAT?
This is a welding robot from manufacturer FANUC, which effortlessly delivers repetitive, high-quality welding work, integrated into a production process where simultaneous personnel can also work in complete safety. With an intuitive programming protocol, the unit is very approachable, allowing even personnel with minimal experience to work with it. Via the Teach button, for example, one can manually and immediately teach the cobot the requested motion cycle. It suffices to guide the cobot to the desired position, and save this action via the tablet. This in turn can be done with the simple drag & drop functionality, which allows for the quick - and we are talking about a few minutes - programming of new operations and actions. 

SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE
With the "contact stop" function, the BIT-Welder has a reliable safety function. Indeed, upon contact with a human being, sensors immediately activate a safety stop. Proven operational for up to eight years without maintenance, the cobot is protected against dust and oil spills, and meets ISO 10218-1 safety standards. Due to its compact size and modest weight, the unit can be deployed in almost any workspace. It is also easy to install and move without the use of a crane or other lifting equipment. The power supply is standard 1 x 230 volts. 

This set of favorable features makes the BIT-Welder interesting for any company that wants to take its first steps in welding automation.