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Staying current with industry events is essential for deep hole drilling professionals — whether the goal is evaluating new equipment, networking with peers, presenting research, or meeting customer quality requirements. This article provides a calendar of major events for 2026 and 2027.
2026 Events
September 2026
IMTS 2026 — International Manufacturing Technology Show
- Dates: September 14–19, 2026
- Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, USA
- Frequency: Biennial (even years)
- Website: imts.com
- Expected attendance: 100,000+
- Exhibitors: 1,600+
IMTS is the largest manufacturing technology trade show in the Western Hemisphere. Deep hole drilling equipment manufacturers exhibiting at IMTS include Kent CNC, UNISIG, Sunnen, and other US-based and international suppliers. The show features dedicated pavilions for cutting tools, machine tools, automation, and quality inspection.
Key for deep hole drilling professionals: The Metal Cutting Pavilion and the Tooling and Workholding Pavilion host deep hole drilling machine and tooling exhibitors. The Smartforce Student Summit runs alongside the show for workforce development.
October 2026
JIMTOF 2026 — 33rd Japan International Machine Tool Fair
- Dates: October 26–31, 2026
- Location: Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan
- Frequency: Biennial (even years)
- Website: jimtof.org
- Expected attendance: 130,000+
- Exhibitors: 1,200+
JIMTOF is one of the four world-leading machine tool exhibitions alongside IMTS, EMO, and CIMT. Japanese deep hole drilling technology is particularly strong in micro-drilling, precision gun drilling, and automation integration.
Key for deep hole drilling professionals: Japanese manufacturers such as Sugino (gun feeders), Mitsubishi (drilling tools), and others showcase their latest deep hole drilling technologies. The show is known for precision machining exhibits and advanced automation integration.
Nadcap Meeting — Fall 2026
- Dates: October (exact dates TBD)
- Location: Varies (global rotation)
- Frequency: Semi-annual
The Nadcap Meeting brings together aerospace primes, suppliers, and accreditation bodies. For deep hole drilling operations serving the aerospace industry, attending the Nadcap Meeting provides updates on audit criteria, new accreditation scopes, and industry requirements.
Key for deep hole drilling professionals: Direct access to aerospace quality requirements and accreditation updates. The Conventional Machining task group sessions are most relevant.
November 2026
CIRP General Assembly — Winter 2026
- Dates: November (exact dates TBD)
- Location: Varies (member invitation)
- Frequency: Semi-annual
The CIRP General Assembly is the premier research conference for production engineering. Deep hole drilling research papers are presented in the cutting process sessions.
Key for deep hole drilling professionals: Access to the latest academic research on deep hole drilling dynamics, tool design, and process monitoring.
2027 Events
April 2027
CIMT 2027 — China International Machine Tool Show
- Dates: April 21–26, 2027
- Location: China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi New Hall), Beijing, China
- Frequency: Biennial (odd years)
- Expected attendance: 330,000+
- Exhibitors: 2,400+
CIMT is the largest machine tool exhibition in China and one of the four world-leading shows. Chinese deep hole drilling manufacturers — including Dezhou Guanlu, Dezhou Jutai, and Honge Precision — exhibit alongside international suppliers. The show covers the full range of machine tools, cutting tools, and manufacturing technology.
Key for deep hole drilling professionals: The Chinese deep hole drilling machine market is the largest and fastest-growing globally. CIMT is the best venue to evaluate Chinese manufacturers' latest offerings, compare with international competitors, and understand market trends.
September 2027
EMO Hannover 2027 — World's Leading Trade Fair for Production Technology
- Dates: September (exact dates TBD, typically mid-September)
- Location: Hannover Exhibition Grounds, Hannover, Germany
- Frequency: Biennial (odd years)
- Expected attendance: 150,000+
- Exhibitors: 2,200+
EMO is the world's largest trade fair for metalworking and production technology. European deep hole drilling leaders — TBT, TIBO, Mollart, and Botek — exhibit alongside global competitors.
Key for deep hole drilling professionals: The highest concentration of deep hole drilling technology in one venue. Halls 4 and 11 traditionally host deep hole drilling and gun drilling exhibitors. EMO also features a comprehensive conference program with technical presentations on machining technology.
Fall 2027
Nadcap Meeting — Fall 2027
- Dates: October (exact dates TBD)
- Location: Varies (global rotation)
- Frequency: Semi-annual
SME Annual Conference
- Dates: Spring/Summer 2027 (exact dates TBD)
- Location: Varies annually
- Frequency: Annual
SME's annual conference covers manufacturing technology, workforce development, and industry trends. Sessions on holemaking and precision machining are typically included.
Regular Annual Events
These events occur annually and may be of interest to deep hole drilling professionals.
| Event | Organizer | Typical Month | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nadcap Meeting (Spring) | PRI | April/May | Varies (US rotating) | Aerospace quality accreditation |
| Nadcap Meeting (Fall) | PRI | October | Varies (global rotating) | Aerospace quality accreditation |
| CIRP Winter General Assembly | CIRP | January/February | Varies | Production engineering research |
| CIRP Summer General Assembly | CIRP | August | Varies | Production engineering research |
| NIMS Annual Meeting | NIMS | March | Varies | Skills certification standards |
| Tooling U-SME Summit | SME | May | Varies | Manufacturing workforce training |
Regional and Specialized Events
Beyond the major international shows, regional events provide opportunities to see equipment and network locally.
North America
| Event | Frequency | Typical Month | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMTS | Biennial (even) | September | Chicago, IL | Major show |
| WESTEC | Annual | Spring | Los Angeles, CA | West coast manufacturing |
| EASTEC | Annual | Spring | Hartford, CT | Northeast manufacturing |
| MFG Meeting | Annual | Spring | Varies | AMT-sponsored industry summit |
| Precision Machining Technology Show | Biennial | April | Columbus, OH | Focused on precision machining |
Europe
| Event | Frequency | Typical Month | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMO Hannover | Biennial (odd) | September | Hannover, Germany | Major show |
| MACH | Biennial (even) | April | Birmingham, UK | UK manufacturing show |
| BI-MU | Biennial (even) | October | Milan, Italy | Italian machine tool show |
| METAV | Biennial (odd) | March | Dusseldorf, Germany | German manufacturing (smaller than EMO) |
| AMB | Annual | September | Stuttgart, Germany | Metalworking exhibition |
| GrindingHub | Biennial (even) | May | Stuttgart, Germany | Grinding technology |
Asia-Pacific
| Event | Frequency | Typical Month | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JIMTOF | Biennial (even) | October | Tokyo, Japan | Major show |
| CIMT | Biennial (odd) | April | Beijing, China | Major show |
| IMTEX | Biennial (odd) | January | Bangalore, India | Indian machine tool show |
| Metalex | Annual | November | Bangkok, Thailand | ASEAN manufacturing |
Online Events and Webinars
Several organizations offer regular online events accessible from anywhere:
| Organization | Type | Frequency | Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| SME | Webinars | Monthly | Manufacturing technology, workforce |
| Tooling U-SME | Online courses | On-demand | Machining fundamentals, CNC |
| AMT | Webinars | Quarterly | Industry data, technology trends |
| Allied Machine | Technical guides | On-demand | Deep hole drilling best practices |
| Sandvik Coromant | Webinars | Monthly | Cutting tool technology, application support |
| ISCAR | Technical seminars | Quarterly | Drilling tool selection and application |
Planning Your Event Calendar
For Machine Shop Owners and Operations Managers
Priority events: IMTS 2026 (or EMO 2027), one regional show per year, Nadcap Meeting if serving aerospace.
Attending IMTS or EMO every two years provides exposure to the full range of deep hole drilling technology. Supplement with regional shows for local networking and supplier relationships.
For Engineers and Applications Specialists
Priority events: EMO Hannover (for European technology), CIMT (for Asian suppliers), Sandvik Coromant or ISCAR technical seminars.
Engineering professionals benefit from the technical depth of EMO and the application-focused seminars offered by cutting tool manufacturers.
For Researchers and Academics
Priority events: CIRP General Assembly, SME Annual Conference.
CIRP provides access to cutting-edge research. SME conferences offer opportunities to connect research with industrial application.
For Quality and Certification Professionals
Priority events: Nadcap Meetings (spring and fall), NIMS Annual Meeting.
Quality professionals need to stay current with aerospace accreditation requirements, which evolve through the Nadcap meeting process.
FAQ
Q: Which trade show has the most deep hole drilling exhibitors? EMO Hannover consistently has the highest concentration of deep hole drilling technology exhibitors, with TBT, TIBO, Mollart, Botek, and numerous Chinese and European manufacturers exhibiting. IMTS in Chicago is the best option for North American attendees.
Q: How much does it cost to attend IMTS? Registration is typically $50–100 for pre-registration and higher for on-site registration. Student and educator registration is often free. Travel, accommodation, and expenses are additional.
Q: Are there any events specifically focused on deep hole drilling? There is no standalone trade show dedicated exclusively to deep hole drilling. The technology is covered within general manufacturing and machine tool exhibitions. EMO Hannover and IMTS have the highest concentration of deep hole drilling exhibitors.
Q: Can I attend CIRP General Assembly as a non-member? CIRP General Assemblies are primarily for members and invited guests. Non-members can sometimes attend as observers through a member sponsor. Research papers presented at CIRP are published in CIRP Annals, available through academic libraries.
Q: What is the best way to find deep hole drilling exhibitors at a large show? Use the show's online exhibitor directory in advance. Search for keywords such as "deep hole drilling," "gun drilling," "BTA drilling," and "deep hole drilling machine." Most shows offer mobile apps with floor plans and exhibitor search functionality.
Q: How far in advance should I register for major shows? Register at least 2–3 months in advance for the best rates. Book accommodation 4–6 months in advance for major shows like IMTS and EMO, as hotels near the venue fill up quickly.
Q: Are there any virtual deep hole drilling events? Allied Machine and Sandvik Coromant offer on-demand technical webinars covering deep hole drilling topics. SME and Tooling U-SME offer online courses. However, there is no dedicated virtual event for deep hole drilling — the hands-on nature of the technology makes in-person events more valuable.
Q: What is the best show for networking with deep hole drilling machine manufacturers? EMO Hannover, because European manufacturers (TBT, Mollart, TIBO) are headquartered nearby and bring their full technical teams. The show also attracts the largest number of deep hole drilling application engineers.
Q: Is CIMT worth attending for non-Chinese speakers? Yes. CIMT has English signage and interpretation services for international visitors. Major Chinese deep hole drilling manufacturers have English-speaking staff. CIMT provides the most comprehensive view of the Chinese deep hole drilling market.
Q: How can I find out about last-minute event changes? Follow event organizers on LinkedIn (AMT, VDW, JMTBA, CMTBA) and subscribe to their email newsletters. Industry publications such as Manufacturing Engineering Magazine and Cutting Tool Engineering also publish event calendars and updates.