AMTS 2026

The Shanghai International Automotive Manufacturing Technology & Materials Exhibition (AMTS) will return to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre on 8-10 July, bringing together global automotive engineering and manufacturing professionals for its 2026 edition. Organised by RX, AMTS 2026 is expected to feature more than 850 exhibitors and attract 70,000 professionals. The event will present technologies and solutions for processes that include car body stamping, welding, machining and plenty more. Pre-registration is now open. Visitors who register in advance will receive free admission.

More information www.shanghaiamts.com.cn/en

Software maximises tube and wire inspection productivity

Hexagon has released a major update to its BendingStudio XT, introducing new capabilities designed to cut cycle times in series production and support the manufacture of electric vehicle components. The latest version also adds integrated support for handheld 3D scanners, extending tube and wire inspection capabilities to a wider range of metalworking operations.

At the heart of the enhanced offering is Hexagon’s TubeInspect system, a purpose-built inspection cell delivering near-instant, non-contact measurement directly on the shopfloor. High-speed optical inspection provides precise results within seconds, enabling manufacturers to maintain tight tolerances in demanding production environments. The system is designed to deliver repeatable accuracy even in oily, dusty or high-temperature conditions through advanced temperature compensation and ISO 17025-certified calibration.

The updated BendingStudio XT introduces simultaneous multi-part measurement, allowing operators to inspect several identical components at once for faster batch processing and improved quality assurance. Immediate pass/fail feedback simplifies quality control, while direct integration with production systems enables real-time correction data to be fed back to bending machines, helping reduce waste and improve consistency.

To support growing demand in the electric vehicle sector, Hexagon has also added dedicated correction reports for electric motor hairpins, enabling manufacturers to achieve higher precision when producing complex EV components.

The software now supports Hexagon’s ATLASCAN Pro and HYPERSCAN handheld 3D scanners, providing flexible inspection options for manufacturers measuring large pipework, exhaust systems and installed tube assemblies.

Christoph Dold, senior product manager at Hexagon, says the update helps manufacturers address skills shortages while improving productivity, adding that the company remains focused on turning “bits and bytes” into practical value on the shopfloor.

More information www.bit.ly/4wcBAXk

Steelwork rises for enormous forging line

Sheffield Forgemasters has begun steelwork assembly on the UK’s largest open die forging line.The company is building a new 13,000-tonne forging line at Brightside Lane, with steelwork for the building projecting to 45 m high, more than 10 m taller than surrounding structures.With steelwork for its new 30,000 m²machine shop on nearby Weedon Street at an advanced stage, the construction is transforming the traditional manufacturing heartland of the city, dwarfing the adjacent Meadowhall shopping centre and Ikea superstore. The company expects to see framework for both buildings completed by the end of 2026.

More information www.sheffieldforgemasters.com

11,000 visit GrindingHub

Around 11,000 visitors, 462 exhibitors and four days of a trade fair filled with technology, networking and business opportunities: GrindingHub 2026 successfully concluded earlier this month in Stuttgart.Visitors travelled from 59 countries, with Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria and Turkey particularly well represented. With 38% of visitors coming from abroad, GrindingHub once again underlined its position as a key international meeting place for the grinding technology community. While the biennial GrindingHub is set to return in 2028, the inaugural GrindingHub Americas will take place in Cincinnati, Ohio on 18-20 May 2027.

More information www.grindinghub.de/en

Brother expands tech centre near Frankfurt

Whitehouse Machine Tools, the exclusive sales agent in the UK and Ireland for machine tools from Brother, is reporting a major expansion of its principal’s technology centre in Bad Homburg, near Frankfurt. The facility has been relocated to a new 1700 m² premises on Steinmühlstrasse, about 2.5 times the size of the original site, which is large enough to accommodate nearly the entire range of Brother’s Speedio machining centres.

The strategically located facility represents a significant expansion of Brother’s European presence, providing an accessible hub for technical excellence and dealer collaboration, 25 minutes from Frankfurt Airport. The centre is designed to enhance sales, technical knowledge transfer and training, while showcasing a comprehensive lineup of the manufacturer’s latest 30-taper machines. 

More information www.wmtcnc.com