Frickenhausen, 2 May 2005. P.E. Schall GmbH caused quite a stir last year with its premiere promotion of Microsys. Launching of the convention trade fair for microsystems technology was an immediate success, and the industry eagerly awaited its continuation this year – concurrent to Control. Microsys is devoted to key technologies for which a billion dollar market is being predicted.

“The 2nd Microsys convention trade fair for microsystems technology and ultra-precision manufacturing has further exploited its potential and has taken a great step forward”, sums up Paul Eberhard Schall, managing shareholder of P.E. Schall GmbH, regarding the event’s progress. The exhibitors also attribute future economic significance to Microsys, which took place at the Sinsheim Exhibition Centre from the 26th through the 29th of April, 2005, parallel to the 19th Control, international trade fair for quality assurance. Expectations were also heightened by a 58% increase in exhibitor numbers and 47% growth in occupied floor space as compared with last year’s event.

And Microsys exhibitors agree that these expectations were fulfilled. 22,612 expert visitors (3% more than last year), who were able to take advantage of innumerable synergies by attending both Control and Microsys, are the current yardstick. Because new and expanded business opportunities resulting from practical benefits will arise in numerous areas as a result of technologies based upon miniature structures in the micro and nano ranges, as well as optical technologies, and a billion dollar market will evolve.

Thomas Schaller, director of the industry forum for micro-manufacturing technology (FIF) at the Karlsruhe Research Centre GmbH is of the opinion that Microsys is quite plainly on the upswing. In his view, the event profile is ideal, the right companies are on hand and the location is perfect. “Microsys should and will make a contribution to the image of south-western Germany”.

The exhibitors reached a competent group of expert visitors. Visitor quality has increased significantly, and Ulrich Moser, export and marketing manager for IFE Werner, praises Microsys as a trade fair for practitioners. “Above all industrial companies came to the event with actual applications, so that concrete projects are already in discussion and new product developments have already been launched. We’ve had large numbers of visitors, and we’ve recorded an increase in concrete inquiries of more than 100%.”

Marzellinus Zipfel, director of sales and marketing at Buckbee-Mears Europe GmbH, has also recorded larger numbers of more competent expert visitors. “For us, Microsys is the ideal platform for offering our services and presenting them to a potential market.”

After receiving numerous commitments, project manager Susanne Fuchs has already begun preparations for the next Microsys in 2006. Franck Leleu, member of the board of directors and sales and marketing manager for SARIX, has, like many others, made a firm decision in favour of Microsys. “At the 1st Microsys we still favoured the competing Swiss trade fair, SIAMS. But now we’ve made our decision for Microsys, and that won’t change in 2006 because we’re entirely satisfied.”

The importance of linking a trade fair to a seminar and presentation program is illustrated by feedback received in response to the accompanying program, at which, amongst other organisations, the NC Society from Ulm, Germany, participated. The society presented a special show on the subject of “UPM”, and led a “micro injection moulding” symposium. Technical presentations were held by renowned research institutes – from Fraunhofer and various universities of applied sciences, right on up to domestic and foreign polytechnics. The forum turned into a real centre of attraction for Microsys, at which exhibitors reported on company know-how and the latest innovations from the fields of microsystems technology and ultra-precision manufacturing. At a presentation entitled “Practice and Vision”, Microsys ventured to offer a preview of further developments which will take place in various industries in the fields of microsystems technology and ultra-precision manufacturing.

The 3rd Microsys will take place concurrent to the 20th Control from the 9th through the 12th of May, 2006.

back