DX × GX Dual-Transformation Achievements Showcase the Machine Tool Industry's Strength in Smart Manufacturing and Sustainability
To promote the advancement of Taiwan's machine tool industry toward greater intelligence and sustainability, Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA) completed the evaluation process for the 3rd Machine Tool Industry Energy-Saving Label on March 6th, 2026, and the 1st Machine Tool Industry AI Empowerment Label on March 13th, 2026, and has officially announced the evaluation results. These two labels represent the industry's achievements in digital transformation (DX) and green transformation (GX) respectively, while also echoing the theme of TMTS 2026 "AI Empowerment, Smart Manufacturing for Sustainability. Together, they highlight the innovative momentum of the machine tool industry in smart manufacturing and low-carbon development.
Energy Saving Label: From Standard Machines to Mid- and High-End Equipment
The Machine Tool Industry Energy Saving Label has now entered its third edition, continuing to encourage companies to incorporate energy-saving concepts at the equipment design stage. This year’s evaluation reveals new trends in the development of energy-saving technologies within the industry.
In the past, energy-saving improvements were primarily focused on general-purpose or standard machines. However, this year shows a clear shift toward mid- to high-end machine models and high value-added equipment. For example, milling equipment has begun to incorporate energy optimization in medium-to-large five-axis gantry machining centers, while turning equipment focuses on turn-mill machines.
On the components side, energy-saving designs have also emerged in rotary tables and key modules for five-axis machining applications. This indicates that manufacturers are increasingly starting from end-user application scenarios, considering how to reduce energy consumption and improve machining efficiency in real-world operating environments.
In addition, this year’s evaluation observed that some companies continue to deepen their existing energy-saving technologies. Products that participated in previous evaluations have re-entered with more advanced energy-saving designs and system optimizations, demonstrating continuous improvement and technological advancement—efforts that deserve industry recognition.
In terms of energy management and international standards, machine tool builders have shown significant progress compared to previous years. Many companies have begun adopting the ISO 14955 methodology for assessing energy efficiency of machine tools, establishing capabilities for quantitative energy performance analysis.
Notably, Yeong Chin Machinery (YCM) has obtained Taiwan’s first ISO 14067 product carbon footprint verification for a machine tool, demonstrating that Taiwan’s industry is progressing from energy-saving design toward alignment with international certification standards, thereby becoming a trusted supplier of energy-efficient products for global customers.
Overall, this year’s Energy Saving Label highlights two key industry directions:
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Component manufacturers continue to deepen energy-saving technologies and critical module design
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Machine tool builders are extending energy-saving technologies into high-end equipment and across multiple machine series
It is also worth noting that the number of applications for this year’s Energy Saving Label is slightly lower than in previous years. One reason is the adjustment of evaluation rules, limiting each company to a maximum of two submissions. In addition, some companies have allocated resources to the newly introduced and more competitive AI Empowerment Label evaluation.
At the same time, some products demonstrate both energy-saving and AI-enabled intelligent features, highlighting the future potential of smart energy-efficient equipment.
AI Empowerment Label: AI Driving Innovation in Machine Tool Business Models
This year marks the first launch of the Machine Tool Industry AI Empowerment Label by TMBA, aiming to encourage the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies to enhance operational efficiency and product value.
The evaluation is divided into two categories:
♦ Enterprise Category
This category evaluates how companies integrate AI into their operational processes, such as optimizing production scheduling, customer service, after-sales support, knowledge management, and business decision-making. By leveraging AI tools, companies can establish new operating models and strengthen their competitiveness.
♦ Product Category
This category focuses on AI applications in machine tools or related products, such as intelligent machining parameter optimization, equipment condition prediction, predictive maintenance, and machining quality analysis. These applications enhance machine intelligence and deliver greater value to end users.
The key focus of this evaluation is how AI creates real industrial value—whether it improves service efficiency, enhances product value, or improves user experience. Overall, participating companies demonstrated strong innovation capabilities and practical achievements in AI applications.
From the perspective of participating companies, most applicants in the Enterprise Category are SMEs, with only one large enterprise. Despite limited IT resources, many companies have effectively leveraged various AI tools and successfully integrated them into their operations. This reflects that, amid labor shortages and demographic challenges, AI has become a critical tool for improving operational efficiency. It also highlights that AI is not exclusive to large enterprises—rather, it is a key enabler of competitiveness for SMEs.
In the Product Category, most entries are designed based on end-user application needs. They explore how AI-enabled machines can help users quickly adjust machining conditions, improve efficiency, and reduce setup time across different machining scenarios, demonstrating the practical potential of AI in smart manufacturing environments.
TMTS2026 "Energy-Saving Label & AI Empowerment Label Golden Tour"
To help industry professionals better understand the achievements in AI empowerment and energy-saving technologies, selected products awarded the Energy Saving Label and AI Empowerment Label will be featured in the “Golden Tour” during TMTS 2026.
A total of six guided tour sessions will be held from March 26 to March 28, leading visitors to the booths of award-winning companies to explore their technologies and applications in depth.
Through this initiative, global buyers and industry partners will gain deeper insights into Taiwan’s innovation capabilities in smart manufacturing and sustainable development. It will also foster greater industry exchange and business collaboration opportunities.
TMBA sincerely invites industry professionals to participate in the guided tours. Registration details will be announced on the official TMTS website.
