“Nano Micro Biz” and ROBOTECH concluded with strong visitor participation

“Nano Micro Biz”, the leading exhibition in the Japanese nano-micro industry focusing on Micro/MEMS and nanotechnology, previously known as “Exhibition Micromachine/MEMS”, and “ROBOTECH”, an exhibition on next-generation service robot manufacturing technologies, closed its 2013 edition on 5 July, successfully.

A total of 7,762 visitors attended the three-day event. 186 exhibitors (Domestic: 170, Overseas: 16) from seven countries and regions showcased a diverse range of cutting-edge technology and products. Overall, exhibitors were thoroughly impressed, and praised the high quality of professional buyers at the show.

Mr Hirotaka Okuda, manager at Omron Corporation, said: “We have been exhibiting at the fair for years, and we felt this time that visitors were more knowledgeable of the MEMS industry.  Our purpose for exhibiting at the show was to increase our product visibility, and also to collect customer’s feedback regarding our products. We received favourable comments from visitors and we were very satisfied with our results. We believe it is very important to continue exhibiting and introducing our products at the fair.”

Key industry players and specialists, leading companies, laboratories and research institutions shared their technological innovations as well as their latest activities at the exhibition, and through the show’s concurrent programs, seminars and presentations.

Dr Hitoshi Omori, chief scientist and director of the Material Fabrication Laboratory of the Independent Administrative Institution RIKEN, expressed his satisfaction with his organisation’s first participation in the fair. He said: “Many visitors stopped by our pavilion with great interest. We also received requests from visitors who wanted to visit our laboratory after the fair closes.”

It was their first time exhibiting in a trade fair of this size. He also added: “The technologies and products we were exhibiting in the fair were on the level of practical use and mass production, which we believe appealed greatly to those who were looking for a new encounter and opportunity for their business. We are very happy that the results of our long-term research and development caught the attention of so many people, and that we gained a strong base in the commercial sector through the fair.”

Next generation service robots, one of the application fields of micro processing and MEMS technologies, are applied to various industries. The 4th edition of ROBOTECH displayed state-of-the-art robotics, and showcased a variety of solutions in service robot manufacturing and related technology. Mr Yoshihisa Matsushita, general manager at REVAST Co., Ltd. said: “We took part in the fair in order to improve our business visibility and to conduct market research. We received favourable feedback from visitors, and knew we were on the right track.  We will consider exhibiting at the fair next time.”

The auditorium of the special seminars was constantly filled with an audience seeking to obtain insight to the latest market and technology trends. Seminars such as “The 19th International Micromachine Nanotech Symposium”, which shared the latest progress in sensor network systems across various fields, as well as “MEMS Packaging Forum”, which introduced the front-line of development in processing technology and materials, and gathered a higher than expected number of audience members.

Mr Hiroaki Takeishi, director of X-FAB Group, participated in the fair to gain recognition for the partnership between his company and Franunhofer ISIT, a German research facility on microelectronics and microsystems technology. Sharing his impression on the show, Mr Takeishi noted: “A higher than expected number of people stopped by at our booth, and we were running low on promotional materials by the end of the second day. We would very much like to come back to the show next year.”

“Nano Micro Biz”, aiming to further contribute to social and business development, has taken an initial step towards becoming a trade show which not only showcases products and technology, but also a wide range of ideas, business solutions, and applications as well as systems and devices.

Next edition will be held jointly with “OPIE – OPTICS & PHOTONICS International Exhibition” at Pacifico Yokohama

The 2014 edition of “Nano Micro Biz” and “ROBOTECH” will be held jointly with the “OPIE – OPTICS & PHOTONICS International Exhibition”, an exhibition specialising in laser and optics technology, planned and operated by The Optronics Co., Ltd. The shows will be held from 23 – 25 April 2014 at Pacifico Yokohama.

A press conference was held on 3 July, to explain the benefits of holding the events jointly. Mr Toshiaki Miyajima, sales manager of the organiser Mesago Messe Frankfurt Corp., explained: “Jointly holding the exhibition encourages the diversification of technological and industrial coverage, exhibitor and visitor profiles, and offers more comprehensive and fruitful business opportunities. I believe that hosting the two trade fairs together will contribute to further revitalisation of the industry.”

For further details on Nano Micro Biz and ROBOTECH, please visit the official website: http://www.micromachine.jp/en/