AMB Preview: AMB 2026's key events unveiled

Published the 24/08/2026

New formats enrich the program. AMB provides new impetus to the entire metal cutting industry.

As part of the AMB Preview, Messe Stuttgart presented a preview of AMB 2026, outlining the key events of the international metalworking trade fair. AMB will be held from September 15 to 19, 2026, at Messe Stuttgart's exhibition center. Industry interest remains high: approximately 1,150 exhibitors have already confirmed their participation, and the event spans all 10 halls. Approximately 31% of exhibiting companies come from abroad, and a total of 34 countries will be represented. The extensive supporting program includes over 107 events, with approximately 50 speakers.

AMB: an unmissable event in the industry calendar for 2026

"The decision to participate in a trade fair as an exhibitor is no small feat. It requires investment, significant commitment, and represents a deliberate strategic choice. The fact that so many companies have chosen to participate is a clear demonstration of the trust placed in AMB. For over 40 years, AMB has been one of the leading international meeting points for the metal cutting industry, and for good reason: it's the place where the industry wants to meet," says Roland Bleinroth, Managing Director of Messe Stuttgart. With 120,000 m² of exhibition space, AMB represents the entire metal cutting process chain.

New appointments in the 2026 program: the Defense sector and cooperation with BW_i for the development of international trade relations

For the first time, AMB is offering the "Defence & Security Opportunities" format, a platform dedicated to a growing topic. In collaboration with VDMA, Messe Stuttgart is creating a targeted framework to address a crucial question: how can the metal cutting industry contribute to the rapid and reliable expansion of defense production capacities, from individual component production to series production? The format connects defense OEMs and their suppliers directly with AMB exhibitors. Participating companies will present scalable production solutions through introductory talks, followed by two guided tours of selected exhibition halls. The "Defence & Security Opportunities" format will take place on Wednesday, September 16th and Friday, September 18th in a private setting. Participation is subject to prior registration, and spaces are limited.

Another new initiative is the collaboration with BW_i – Baden-Württemberg International for the "International Gallery powered by BW_i" initiative. Ten international trade associations will be present at the East Entrance in front of Hall 1. These include organizations from India (VDMA India), Italy (Italcam), Taiwan (TMBA and TAMI), and Spain (AFM). At country-specific Happy Hours, national and international guests will have the opportunity to network and network in an informal atmosphere, exploring the opportunities offered by their respective markets. BW_i will also contribute its own event, underscoring the international character of AMB. The BW_i Happy Hour will be held on Thursday, September 17, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and will include a presentation on Baden-Württemberg as a business and industrial location.

Roadshow and AMB Night strengthen dialogue within the sector

With the AMB Roadshow, AMB 2026 is bringing its slogan "Where metal comes alive" directly to companies even before the event begins. Over the summer, the project team visited more than ten locations in the region, meeting turners, millers, and machining operators face-to-face and engaging with industry professionals. During AMB, the Roadshow van will be present at the exhibition grounds, offering visitors an additional meeting and exchange point. Another new feature of the 2026 program is the AMB Night, scheduled for Friday afternoon. This initiative is aimed specifically at specialized operators who, after finishing their workday, want to experience the latest innovations and trends in metal-cutting machining firsthand. A special discounted ticket will grant access to both the trade fair and the subsequent AMB Night, during which industry content creators will also be present for a Meet & Greet session with the public.

AMB 2026: a program designed for the entire metal cutting industry

AMB 2026 offers a rich supporting program, designed to meet the needs and diverse perspectives of the entire industry. "Where metal comes alive" is precisely the concept embodied at AMB, where the entire metal cutting value chain comes together, representing the full diversity and richness of the sector. The VDMA Technology Forum, in Hall 1, will offer practical technical presentations on topics such as the circular economy and cost-effective production. The AMB Stage will feature a different central theme each day: Tuesday will be dedicated to the aerospace sector, while Friday will focus on maintenance. On Wednesday, September 16, the main topic will be artificial intelligence in production. The program will begin at 12:00 with presentations organized by VDMA Software and Digitalization. At 2:00 PM, the panel discussion "Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing: From Hype to Value Creation," organized by WIN-Verlag, will take place on the AMB Stage. Leading experts will discuss topics such as the use of AI in process optimization, predictive maintenance, AI-supported quality assurance, and the profitability of AI-based projects. Following the panel discussion, visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers as part of the "Meet the Expert" initiative, which will take place in the VIP Lounge.

Other events on the agenda: from innovation to young talents

The Start-up Area, located at the East Entrance, will offer an overview of the latest ideas, technologies, and innovative solutions, while the AMB Award will recognize the most significant innovations and technological developments presented at the fair. The special training show, organized by the Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau and set up in the East Entrance atrium, will make technology a tangible experience: visitors will be able to experience CNC, automation, and digital manufacturing applications firsthand. The Business Breakfast, held in the Region Stuttgart Lounge, will focus on robotics on Wednesday, while on Thursday it will focus on quantum technologies and sensors. The "India Opportunities" seminar is specifically designed for companies interested in developing opportunities in the Indian market. The "Art Meets Technology" competition will also return in 2026, adopting the new slogan "Where Metal Comes Alive" for this edition. The three key themes of AMB – automation, artificial intelligence, and the circular economy – form the common thread running through the entire program and are reflected in the solutions presented by exhibiting companies.

About AMB

Since 1982, the AMB has presented highlights of the international metalworking industry. "Where Metal Comes Alive" will also be a regular event on the industry agenda in 2026, this year from September 15 to 19. It is the international marketplace and meeting place for metalworking, where the latest products, technologies, innovations, services, and concepts are presented in all their facets. The AMB is supported by the sponsors VDMA Precision Tools, VDMA Software and Digitalization, and VDW Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken eV.

Further information is available at www.amb-messe.de

For more information: Programme AMB 2026

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Amb 2026: collaborative processes drive automation

Central topic: Automation: Patrick Schwarzkopf (VDMA) discusses collaborative processes, artificial intelligence, and automation for SMEs using no-code solutions. As manufacturing companies strive to make their processes more efficient and flexible, automation solutions play a key role, especially in areas where people and machines are increasingly collaborating. AMB 2026 addresses this key topic with a practical approach and demonstrates how collaborative processes are evolving across the entire metal cutting process chain. In this interview, Patrick Schwarzkopf, Director General of the VDMA Robotics and Automation Association, analyzes the key factors driving this evolution and provides an overview of the developments companies should keep an eye on. Automation as one of the three central themes: Collaborative processes are gaining increasing importance AMB : The robotics and automation industry is forecasting a 5% decline in revenue by 2026; nevertheless, pressure on manufacturing companies to automate their processes continues to grow. Why is now the right time to focus on collaborative processes, and what factors are driving companies to take this step? Patrick Schwarzkopf : It's true, we're still observing a marked caution in investments, due to several reasons: from geopolitical tensions to the well-known challenges related to the competitiveness of production sites. However, the trend toward automation remains unchanged. Demographic change will become even more evident in the coming years; this will make it necessary to automate an increasing number of activities to support the remaining qualified personnel. Only in this way can we remain competitive. The interaction between humans and machines will be crucial. The extremely rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI and so-called physical AI, opens up new possibilities, for example through agent AI (Agentic AI) and through the much simpler use and programming of automation solutions. AMB : For a long time, automation was primarily designed for large-scale production. Today, however, robotic solutions are a viable option even for small series. How far has this evolution come, and what does a small business actually need to introduce automation into its production process? Patrick Schwarzkopf : Automation for SMEs is making enormous strides. Technological developments in recent years have been extraordinary and have significantly reduced the barriers to entry for small and medium-sized enterprises. Typical scenarios are "low volume, high mix," characterized by low production volumes and a high degree of product diversity. In these contexts, it is crucial that programming can be performed quickly, easily, and without significant staff effort. Numerous no-code solutions exist today for this purpose, requiring no programming knowledge. Automation workflows can be configured via graphical interfaces with drag-and-drop functionality, while robot trajectories can be taught through manual guidance (hand-guiding) and memorized at the push of a button. Major manufacturers have long been offering solutions specifically designed to meet the needs of SMEs. Pragmatic configurations, such as a robot working overnight, are often sufficient, thus enabling a significant increase in productivity. The obstacle is often less technological than cultural: many companies continue to believe that automation is inevitably too complex or too expensive. This belief is now obsolete, because solutions already exist and are easily observed at specialized trade shows like AMB. A useful reference point, for example, is Go4Robotics, the online platform of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). AMB : As programming and operation become easier, direct collaboration between humans and robots is also becoming increasingly practical. Today, the two increasingly work side by side, without the need for protective barriers: it was precisely the development of AI-supported sensor systems that made this approach truly feasible. What concrete changes does all this mean for the shop floor, and how should companies rethink processes and the role of people? Patrick Schwarzkopf : Collaborative robots (cobots) are now well established. In many applications, however, the term "coexistence" is more accurately used: humans and robots operate without barriers, enabling direct and safe interaction. We are now seeing a further level of even closer collaboration with humanoid robotics. AI is making extraordinary progress in this area: robots are increasingly capable of interpreting their surroundings and acting autonomously and appropriately. Although significant pioneering work is still needed, humanoid robots are gradually emerging from research laboratories and are already finding their first experimental applications in industrial settings. It will still be some time before this technology reaches full maturity for widespread use. At the same time, however, humanoid robotics is accelerating the evolution of close human-machine interaction, for example through the ability to communicate verbally with robots. AMB : Many of these developments are best appreciated by observing them live. In September, AMB will bring together the entire metalworking ecosystem in Stuttgart: manufacturers, users, and researchers under one roof. What contribution can this unique combination make to the wider adoption of collaborative automation? And why is a visit to the trade fair essential for all metalworking companies considering the introduction of automation solutions? Patrick Schwarzkopf : A look at the data clearly highlights its significance: according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), machine tending—the automatic loading and unloading of workpieces on machine tools—is one of the main applications of robotics. Over the past decade, new annual installations of robots for handling tasks on machine tools have increased from 14,500 in 2015 to 19,000 in 2024. Preliminary data from the IFR indicate that the trend will continue with significant, double-digit growth in 2025. The use of collaborative robots (cobots) has also increased significantly in recent years: in 2024, approximately 65,000 cobots were installed worldwide, representing 12% of all industrial robots. The most significant increases are being seen in mobile robotics, which enables the flexibly connecting different production machines, for example through mobile manipulators, i.e., mobile platforms equipped with a robotic arm. It's hard to find such a comprehensive, focused, and industry-specific overview as that offered by a specialized trade fair. At AMB, you can see and experience firsthand the automation solutions for metalworking by chip removal. AMB : Thank you for the interview, Mr. Schwarzkopf. Focus on automation at AMB 2026 in the Oskar-Lapp-Halle (Hall 6) Automation will be a key focus at AMB 2026 in nearly every exhibition hall: from machine tool manufacturers with automation systems to solutions for tools and clamping technology, such as automatic setup. A special highlight will be the Oskar-Lapp-Halle (Hall 6), which will house the "Automation and Handling Technologies" area. 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