Noting a "global economic slowdown in 2011" (economic growth, +3.7%, versus +5.2% in 2010), the association asserted that the world machine tool industry managed impressive growth in production (+27.7%) as well as consumption (+27.5%), and UCIMU members secured the fourth position among nations producing similar products (following China, Japan, and Germany), and the third rank among machine…

BOLOGNA, Italy: There’s nothing quite like the harmonized hum of robotics, or the perpetual pounding of punching machines to let one know they’re at a metal production trade-show. Thankfully, those theatrics only add to an atmosphere only matched by exploring shop floors themselves. Only at this year’s Lamiera metal forming and production show, the environment’s a little cleaner, and maybe…