The International Exhibition for Metalworking presents the AMB Award to recognise outstanding new products in metal cutting. In 2026, around 50 companies once again submitted their latest innovations in seven categories and presented them to an independent expert jury – from precision tools and automation solutions to software and metrology. The broad range of submissions reflects the innovative spirit of an industry that is thinking in all directions: new machining processes, more efficient workflows and more sustainable solutions.
Seven categories, one goal: the best innovation
New products could be submitted in the categories of machine tools and production systems, precision tools, metrology and quality assurance, software and digitalisation, automation and handling technology, components, assemblies and operating materials, as well as services, storage and workshop equipment. In six categories, 17 companies have now been nominated for the AMB Award 2026. A list of the nominees can be found at the end of this release.
Submissions reflect the challenges facing the industry
The 17 nominees reveal a clear picture of the industry. Around half of the submissions address digitalisation or automation – ranging from AI-supported production planning and automated CAM programming to the real-time networking of machines and systems. System integration plays a central role in more than a quarter of the products: process steps that were previously carried out separately are combined in a single product. Resource efficiency is also a recurring design principle, for example through extending tool service life, recovering metalworking fluids or reducing material waste.
Independent jury evaluates according to clear criteria
The nominated companies are evaluated by an independent expert jury comprising representatives of the three supporting industry associations as well as academia: Markus Heseding (VDMA Precision Tools), Dr Alexander Broos (VDW, German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), Thomas Riegler (VDMA Software and Digitalisation), Willi Wünschel (PTW – Institute for Production Management, Technology and Machine Tools at TU Darmstadt) and Prof. Dr-Ing. Hans-Christian Möhring (IfW – Institute for Machine Tools at the University of Stuttgart). The jury assesses the entries against criteria that take technological innovation into account alongside economic viability, sustainability and user-friendliness – as well as aesthetics and design.
“Area of AMB Award Nominees” and awards ceremony on the AMB Stage
The 17 nominated companies will be represented throughout the trade fair on the “Area of AMB Award Nominees” in Entrance East (Stand EO120) with a poster exhibition. The exhibition gives all trade visitors the opportunity to view the submitted innovations at a glance. For the nominated companies, it provides an exclusive platform away from their own exhibition stands.
The awards in the following six categories will be presented on the first two days of the trade fair on the AMB Stage in the Atrium:
- Tuesday, 15 September 2026: Software and Digitalisation; Automation and Handling Technology; Components, Assemblies and Operating Materials
- Wednesday, 16 September 2026: Machine Tools and Production Systems; Precision Tools; Metrology and Quality Assurance
Innovation, young talent and creativity: The AMB supporting programme
The AMB Award is embedded in a supporting programme that deliberately highlights different perspectives on innovation. The Start-up Area at Entrance East provides a compact overview of new approaches from young companies. In the special exhibition on education organised by the Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau, young professionals can experience technology first-hand – CNC, automation and digital production processes can be tried out live. And with the “Art Meets Technology” competition, a creative format returns in 2026 under the new claim “Where metal comes alive”.
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