The joint connectivity initiative of VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association) and VDMA (German Engineering Federation) opened the "Smart IoT in Production" showroom in Pudong near Shanghai, China, in November 2023. The event was attended by Deputy Consul General Lukas Meyer from the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Shanghai, Representative Yugang Zhao from the Free Trade Zone Administration and numerous invited guests. Dr. Alexander Broos, Head of Research and Technology at the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association) and umati project manager, is delighted with the new possibilities of the showroom: "The future of connectivity is digital - but sometimes a physical platform is needed: for personal exchange and direct product presentation. The showroom makes the benefits of umati tangible - in China, one of the most important and largest markets for the industry."

The showroom is a joint facility of the VDW and the operator of the IMT (International Machine Tool Center) in the Pilot Free Trade Zone, where the VDW already has its local office. In future, companies will be able to present their smart production technology to the public and meet potential customers and partners here on a total of around 500 m². Permanently furnished exhibition stands will be available for rent for this purpose. Among the first exhibitors are the Chinese branches of Liebherr-Verzahntechnik from Kempten and the United Grinding Group from Bern, Switzerland. David Feng, Head of Division Gear Cutting Machines & Automation at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik in China, on being one of the first companies to rent a booth in the showroom: "The 'Smart IoT in Production' showroom in Shanghai offers a real-time application setting for the Chinese industry. This will help local users to experience first-hand how umati can help them meet the future challenges of smart manufacturing trends."

umati will use a permanent stand on the exhibition floor to present the possibilities of open data networking based on OPC UA. It also serves as a basis for cooperation with Chinese companies and the local connectivity initiative NC Link. An intelligent caliper from Mahr, Göttingen, and a marking laser from Trumpf, Ditzingen, are integrated into the umati dashboard to enable visitors to experience networking from China live. Georg Fischer Machining Solutions, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, also connected a machine live. Deputy General Consul Lukas Meyer emphasizes the importance of umati: "Especially now, when there is a lot of momentum in the area of Industry 4.0, it is very important to create transparency. umati is doing important groundwork here with its strong network of partners and its international approach. The 'Smart IoT in Production' showroom is another important step in demonstrating our presence."

Broos also emphasizes the global aspect of the showroom in China: "The dashboard is the same one that is used in the rest of the world. This proves once again that the consistent implementation and use of open data interfaces does not have to stop at national borders. Connectivity in mechanical engineering is a global issue." The showroom is open to all companies based in the IMT as well as all umati partners in China. The showroom can also be used as an event location.