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Looking Back on the World Cutting Tool Conference 2024 in Japan
The Japan Cutting & Wear-resistant Tool Association (JTA) held the World Cutting Tool Conference 2024 (WCTC 2024) at Grand Cube Osaka in Nakanoshima, Osaka, and other locations for four days from May 21 to 24. The conference was attended by tool and machine tool manufacturers from around the world. The program included lectures by experts, social programs, factory tours and Japanese cultural experiences, and corporate booths were set up at the venue. The following is a recap of the conference and an introduction to the products and technologies of related companies.
Many participants from overseas enjoy Japan
The WCTC has been held seven times in different parts of the world, and this was the eighth time. This was the first time the event was held in Japan since the fifth event in Kyoto in 2013. The theme of this meeting was “WA Hospitality.” The conference aimed to unite the global cutting tool industry like a “circle” and let participants experience the Japanese “wa (tradition, culture and quality).”
About half of the 170 participants—82 of them from overseas—came to the event. It was truly worthy of being called a “world conference.” Sixteen countries from Europe, North America and Asia participated, including the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Korea and China. The conference was also attended by the European Cutting Tool Association (ECTA), the United States Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), and other industry associations.
Lectures and speeches were given by company representatives and university professors, and corporate booths were set up at the venue. Participants deepened their knowledge of tools and machine tools as well as growing industries such as aerospace and automotive.
In addition to the conference at Grand Cube Osaka, social programs, factory tours, Osaka Castle tours, and Japanese cultural experiences were held. The gala dinner on May 23 was held at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Kisshoden, with entertainment provided by Ondekoza, a Japanese taiko drumming troupe. Participants exchanged views on technology and also enjoyed Japan.
Looking Back at the World Cutting Tool Conference 2024
Collaboration with industry associations around the world: Building unity of purpose to understand tool demand
President, World Cutting Tool Conference 2024 Chairman, Japan Cutting & Wear-resistant Tool Association (JTA)(Operating officer, NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP.)Katsuhiro Matsumoto
This was the second time that the World Cutting Tool Conference 2024 (WCTC2024) was held in Japan, after the Kyoto event. Accompanied by their partners, the participants enjoyed a friendly and festive conference.
During the conference, economic conditions were presented from each area. In Japan, automotive production is in the process of recovery and has not recovered to 2018 levels. The same is true for orders received for machine tools and cutting tools, and the production value itself is also in the process of recovery. When we asked for information from around the world, the outlook for Europe and the U.S. for 2024 are about the same level as before. Only India reported growth.
Interestingly, it has been reported that automotive production in Europe, the U.S., and Korea is shifting away from electric vehicles (EVs) and toward internal combustion engine vehicles, including hybrids (HVs).
This time, the three industry associations of Japan, Europe, and the U.S. agreed to create unified data to understand global tool demand in the future, and it was significant that Japan was able to take the initiative in this regard.
Closing address
To survive in the market, it is important to recognize other companies and discuss face-to-face
Vice President, Japan Cutting & Wear-resistant Tool Association (JTA) (Managing director, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.) Toshiyuki Sahashi
Cutting tool associations in Japan, Europe, the U.S., Korea, and India presented their forecasts for the cutting tool market in 2024 at the opening ceremony on May 22. In these presentations, the markets in Europe, the U.S. and South Korea did not seem so encouraging due to the political and economic backdrop. Meanwhile, the Japanese market seems to be improving a bit, though it also includes our expectations. India has a significant young generation due to its demographics, and with government support and foreign investment, there are tremendous growth prospects. These forecasts reflect the real voices of each region. We believe they have been an invaluable source of information for understanding each other's market environments.
On May 23, Yu Yamamoto, Head of Powertrain Manufacturing Base Technology Dept., Toyota Motor Corporation, gave a lecture. The automotive industry is the most important market for cutting tools, and the direction in which the industry is headed, survival strategies, and expectations for future cutting tool suppliers provided important insights for the companies.
With the support of MST corporation, we also toured the company's factory. We learned methods for developing and utilizing advanced tools, thereby improving productivity. I believe we were able to feel the true meaning of Japanese manufacturing. Those companies that participated in the conference may cooperate or compete with each other. But, in order to survive in this market and grow in the global market, it is also important to recognize each other and to have honest face-to-face discussions. At the end of the four days, I believe that is the purpose of the World Cutting Tool Conference.
Closing address
I want to take what I learned in the lectures back to my home country
Thomas Haag President, United States Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI)
Ever since the first World Cutting Tool Conference was held in Florida, I have attended every conference except the second one in 2001. That is because I recognize the importance of this conference.
On May 22, there was a lecture on Astroscale Holdings, which has a very significant mission to deal with space debris (or space junk). On the 23rd, Toyota Motor Corporation talked about various opportunities, and NACHI-FUJIKOSHI COPR. talked about automation with robots. On the 24th, Professor Takashi Matsumura of Tokyo Denki University gave a presentation on ideas based on cutting simulation of advanced materials. All of them made me want to bring them back to my home country, and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.
Three years from now, in 2027, the United States Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) will host the World Cutting Tool Conference, and I hope that all participants will have a wonderful and valuable experience.
Closing address
Four days full of learning
Federico Costa President, European Cutting Tool Association (ECTA)
After completing the four-day program, I would like to thank the people of the host country for their hospitality. I felt they set a high standard for hospitality. I also felt that business, science, associations and culture complemented each other, and that everyone who attended took away a considerable amount of learning to work on. The participants got a lot of ideas here in Osaka, and I believe that they will definitely benefit their future actions.
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Lectures and speeches were given by companies and university professors.
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The tour included a visit to Osaka Castle.
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Participants visited Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine.
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Japanese drumming was performed at the gala dinner.