The third edition of the Maintenance Poland and Control & Drives trade fairs was held at Ptak Warsaw Expo on 20–22 January 2026. The event brought together engineers, technical directors and specialists responsible for production optimisation, including representatives of plastics processing plants and packaging manufacturers. The shared exhibition space enabled an overview of solutions for machine condition monitoring systems, modern diagnostic tools and software supporting maintenance and process safety, which has a direct impact on the stability of injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding and packaging lines.
The presence of suppliers of automation and control systems supported the presentation of solutions that can be integrated both in new installations and in existing machine parks. Participants were able to familiarise themselves with offerings focused on increasing equipment availability, reducing unplanned downtime and improving the planning of service activities. Particular interest was shown in tools for collecting and analysing operational data, enabling the implementation of predictive maintenance strategies in industrial plants.
Monitoring systems and diagnostic tools
One of the main areas presented at the fair was machine condition monitoring systems and related diagnostic tools. These solutions allow for continuous control of key operating parameters, such as temperature, vibration or energy consumption. For users of plastics processing machinery, including injection moulding machines and extruders, this is important both in terms of reliability and energy efficiency.
The presented systems were oriented towards integration with the existing plant infrastructure, including higher-level control systems and MES and ERP software. This makes it possible to create a coherent picture of production line operation, identify bottlenecks and respond more quickly to deviations from the assumed process parameters. In plastics manufacturing, maintaining stable processing conditions is particularly important, as it translates into part quality, reduction of rejects and lower production scrap.
Software for maintenance and process safety
An important part of the exhibitors' offer was software supporting the organisation and execution of maintenance tasks. These solutions included systems for planning inspections, recording spare parts and documenting service interventions. In production plants with extensive machine parks, such tools facilitate the standardisation of activities, improve communication between maintenance departments and production, and enable better use of resources.
The software presented at the fair was also aimed at supporting process safety. This concerned both the monitoring of parameters critical to equipment protection and compliance with regulatory requirements and internal plant procedures. In the plastics processing and packaging industries, these issues include, among others, control of heating zone temperatures, pressure in hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and supervision of cooling systems for moulds and tools.
Trends in automation and machine park management
The substantive part of the meetings focused on the exchange of experience regarding the latest trends shaping modern industry. Industry discussions concentrated on the directions of automation development and modern methods of managing machine parks. Among other topics, the importance of control system integration, the use of process data in operational decision-making and the role of Industry 4.0 solutions in day-to-day engineering practice were discussed.
Participants emphasised the need to combine classical maintenance tools with digital solutions to enable more precise planning of work and better assessment of equipment technical condition. In sectors based on continuous or repetitive production, such as plastics processing, the key objective is to reduce unplanned downtime and ensure stable line loading. The development of automation, including the use of advanced drive systems, robotics and vision systems, was presented as one of the main directions for increasing the competitiveness of manufacturing plants.
Assessment of the organisation and relevance for the industry
The smooth organisation of the event was confirmed by a representative of HF Inverter, a partner of the fair. As emphasised by Aleksandra Jurkowska-Szymczyk, both the logistical aspect and technical cooperation during stand preparation were important elements of the exhibitors' assessment of the event.
"The third edition is very well coordinated in terms of logistics. As a partner of the fair, I can confirm that the event went smoothly, both in terms of organisation and visitor turnout. For us, technical support during stand assembly and disassembly is crucial and in this respect everything worked flawlessly."
Robust logistics combined with industry networking have consolidated the position of the fairs at Ptak Warsaw Expo as an important meeting point for owners of manufacturing companies, maintenance engineers and industrial system designers. The presence of specialists responsible for investments, modernisations and the selection of technical equipment facilitated the exchange of information on practical aspects of selecting and operating machinery and control systems. For companies in the plastics processing and packaging sectors, participation in such events is an opportunity to compare their own solutions with the market offer and to identify potential areas for improvement in maintenance and automation.
