How was Thermoprocess 2023?

His size exceeded all expectations

• 2,202 exhibitors
• 42 countries of the world
• The largest number of exhibitors is China, 27%
• There were 40 exhibitors from the CZ, mostly through Czech Trade stands

Basically, it was 4 fairs in total:

GIFA 2023

• Die casting
• Foundry machines
• Materials for foundries
• Core production
• Additive manufacturing of molds for casting

METEC 2023

• Forging

NEWCAST 2023

• Investment casting

THERMPROCESS 2023

• All about heat treatment with themes
  • Sustainability
  • Digitization
  • Circular economy
  • New manufacturing technologies (3D printing directly, indirectly (moulds for casting)

And what did I learn new? Basically nothing, just standard trends, no miracles. The only thing that was significantly visible was the progress of the Chinese in everything. Although all their stalls were small and modest, they were simply everywhere. Conversely, the representation from Taiwan (20) was even smaller than from the CZ (40). There were only 2 companies from SK. Compared to the current policy of the government, I did not register that anyone preferred Taiwan, actually there was nothing about politics here. A breath of better times?

In addition to manufacturers of furnaces and equipment for heat treatment, there were also manufacturers of components such as graphite, molybdenum, fixtures, insulations,  measuring and regulation devices, thermocouples, probes, etc. In those two days, it was impossible to even walk through it, let alone deal with great details.

Those who were missing were mainly Ipsen. Missing were heat treatment services , furnace manufacturers from the USA, Cronite, washing for TZ.

Although the impression was great, it was that generality that probably prevented the companies from properly presenting something. And so, the exhibitions were full of photos and pictures, no details. All stands were general, focused mainly on meetings, not on promoting any new products. The dominance of China was also reflected here in the number of suppliers of anything for tempering plants, but there were also manufacturers of quality furnaces such as SAMT or Fulcrum.

And trends?

• Quality energy at affordable prices, carbon neutrality and intelligent production
• Circular economy and recycling
• Heat treatment of tools as the “mother of industry”
• Modernization of die casting will require furnaces up to 10 tons, a big task for everyone, how to make such large molds, see Elon Musk casting half a car at once
• Replacement of old oil quenching technologies with new ones, mainly gas quenching. This furnace update is just starting and it is not yet clear how it will end. But the need to do it is indisputable. This also results in pressure on the LPC
• Digitization and intelligence, automation of heat treatment processes

I have to admit that I enjoyed it and it was a nice place to meet. The next one won’t be until 2027. So maybe…

Jiří Stanislav

June 19,  2023