The Russian machine tools industry is currently at a pivotal moment. With ambitious national goals for technological sovereignty, strict import substitution policies, and the urgent need to modernize an aging industrial base, the demand for metalworking equipment, cutting tools, and automation solutions has never been higher.
Moscow, as the industrial heart of Eurasia, hosts a sophisticated calendar of events for machine tool professionals in 2026. The landscape is defined by two primary heavyweights: the massive spring show Metalloobrabotka in May and the strategically critical autumn exhibition RIMTOS in October, alongside specialized events for tooling and additive manufacturing.
Here is your essential guide to the key machine tools events in Moscow this year.
The Spring Giant: Metalloobrabotka 2026 (May)
Date: May 12–15, 2026 (Upcoming)
Location: Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre
Metalloobrabotka is the undisputed giant of the Russian metalworking calendar. As the 20th International Exhibition for Equipment, Instruments, and Tools for the Metalworking Industry, this is the largest and most comprehensive event in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Scale and Impact
This is a UFI-approved event, recognized globally for its quality and scale. While exact 2026 figures are pending final release, previous editions have consistently drawn over 500 exhibitors from dozens of countries and attracted tens of thousands of professional visitors. The exhibition spans multiple pavilions at Crocus Expo, covering well over 30,000 square meters of exhibition space.
The “Everything Metalworking” Show
Metalloobrabotka covers the entire spectrum of the machine tools industry, structured into comprehensive product sectors:
- Metal-Cutting Machines: Turning, milling, drilling, grinding, and boring equipment, including CNC and multi-axis machining centers.
- Metal-Forming Machines: Mechanical and hydraulic presses, shears, bending machines, and forging equipment.
- Non-Traditional Machining: Laser, plasma, EDM (electrical discharge machining), and waterjet cutting systems.
- Additive Manufacturing: Industrial 3D printers for metal, raw materials, and post-processing equipment.
- Cutting Tools & Tooling: Milling cutters, drills, taps, inserts, tool holders, and workholding fixtures.
- Metrology & Inspection: CMMs (coordinate measuring machines), optical measuring systems, surface roughness testers, and in-process gauging.
- CNC & Automation: Numerical control systems, industrial robots, FMS (flexible manufacturing systems), and CAD/CAM software.
- Auxiliary Equipment: Cooling systems, chip handling, lubrication, hydraulic and pneumatic components.
Strategic Importance
For many procurement managers at Russian defense, aerospace, automotive, and heavy machinery plants, Metalloobrabotka is the primary sourcing event of the year. It is where annual contracts are negotiated and where the latest technological trends are unveiled.
Target Audience: Factory directors, production engineers, procurement specialists, tooling engineers, and quality control managers.
The Autumn National Project: RIMTOS 2026 (October)
Date: October 27–29, 2026
Location: Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre
If Metalloobrabotka is the international giant, RIMTOS (Russian International Exhibition “Metalworking. Technologies. Equipment”) is the strategically critical national platform.
Organized by the Industry Itself
RIMTOS is not just another trade show. It is a national project organized by the Russian Association of Machine Tool Manufacturers “Stankoinstrument,” whose members represent 90% of Russian machine tool and forging equipment manufacturers. This makes RIMTOS the definitive showcase for domestic production capabilities.
Scale and Focus
The 2026 edition is the follow-up to a successful 2025 show and is expected to feature hundreds of exhibitors across a dedicated exhibition space. The exhibit profile mirrors that of Metalloobrabotka but with a distinct emphasis on Russian manufacturers and their technologies:
- Metal-cutting and metal-forming machines
- Laser processing devices and additive manufacturing equipment
- FMS, robotics, and automation equipment
- Casting, heat treating, and injection molding machines
- CNC systems, digital readouts, and machine tool apparatus
- Abrasives, superhard materials, and coated abrasives
- Cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, and metrology equipment
- Software, standards, and engineering services
Why RIMTOS Matters in 2026
As Western suppliers have reduced their presence, the Russian government has heavily funded domestic machine tool builders. RIMTOS is the primary platform to see these new Russian-built machines in action. For international suppliers from China, Turkey, India, Iran, and Belarus, RIMTOS offers unique access to decision-makers at state-owned enterprises and major industrial holdings who are actively seeking new partnerships to replace discontinued Western supply chains.
Target Audience: Russian machine tool builders, procurement directors of state-owned enterprises, international suppliers looking to enter the Russian market.
The Autumn Specialist: ToolMash 2026 (December)
Date: December 1–4, 2026
Location: Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre
While Metalloobrabotka and RIMTOS cover the heavy machinery, ToolMash focuses specifically on the tools and hardware segment. Positioned as “Eurasia’s Premier Tools and Equipment Exhibition,” this event is strategically co-located with Woodex, the major woodworking exhibition.
Focus on the Cutting Edge
ToolMash 2026 targets a specific but critical segment of the machine tools ecosystem:
- Hand Tools (mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic)
- Power Tools (drills, grinders, saws, sanders)
- Abrasive Tools (wheels, discs, belts, papers)
- Diamond and Superhard Tools
- Gardening and Landscape Tools
- Metal Cutting Tools (drills, taps, dies, milling cutters)
- Fasteners and Fixings
The Numbers
Organizers report ambitious targets for the 2026 edition:
- 1,000+ qualified buyers expected
- Representatives from 75+ Russian regions
- Participation from 23+ countries
- 14 product sectors covered
Strategic Advantage: ToolMash Connect
A key feature of ToolMash is the ToolMash Connect lead-scanning app, designed to facilitate efficient B2B matchmaking during and after the event. For suppliers of industrial consumables (cutting tools, abrasives, fasteners), ToolMash offers a more focused environment than the larger machine tool shows.
Target Audience: Distributors of tools, procurement specialists for industrial end-users, hardware retailers, and maintenance managers.
Niche & Specialized Events in 2026
Beyond the three major events, Moscow hosts several specialized exhibitions for specific verticals within the machine tools and manufacturing sector.
1. RosMould 2026 (June)
- Date: June 16–19, 2026
- Location: Crocus Expo
RosMould is the International Exhibition for Mould and Tool Making, Equipment and Technologies for Product Manufacture, Additive Technologies, and 3D Printing. This is the premier event for professionals involved in injection molding, die casting, press molds, and industrial 3D printing. It covers:
- Mould and die design and manufacturing
- Equipment and technologies for mould production
- Additive technologies and 3D printing for prototyping and production
- CAD/CAM/CAE software for tooling design
2. MITEX 2026 (November)
- Date: November 10–13, 2026
- Location: Crocus Expo
MITEX is the Moscow International Trade Fair of Tools, Equipment, and Technology. This is a broader hardware and tooling show that includes dedicated sections for MITEX WELDING (welding equipment and assembly tools) and MITEX FASTENERS (industrial fasteners and fixing elements). It is a valuable supplement to ToolMash, offering additional exposure for tool suppliers.
3. Weldex Moscow 2026 (October)
- Date: October 6–9, 2026
- Location: Crocus Expo
For professionals focused specifically on joining technologies, Weldex Moscow is the International Specialized Exhibition of welding materials, equipment, and technologies. While distinct from machine tools, welding is a critical adjacent industry for metal fabrication shops.
Strategic Overview for Industry Professionals
Moscow’s machine tools calendar in 2026 offers a logical progression: a massive international spring show, a critical national autumn platform, and specialized tooling events to close the year.
| Event | Date | Location | Key Focus | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metalloobrabotka | May 12-15, 2026 | Crocus Expo | Full spectrum metalworking (largest event) | All industry professionals |
| RosMould | Jun 16-19, 2026 | Crocus Expo | Mould & die, additive manufacturing | Tooling engineers, mould makers |
| Weldex Moscow | Oct 6-9, 2026 | Crocus Expo | Welding equipment, materials | Welding engineers, fabricators |
| RIMTOS | Oct 27-29, 2026 | Crocus Expo | Russian machine tools, national project | State buyers, domestic OEMs |
| MITEX | Nov 10-13, 2026 | Crocus Expo | Tools, hardware, fasteners, welding | Tool distributors, retailers |
| ToolMash | Dec 1-4, 2026 | Crocus Expo | Power & hand tools, abrasives | Tool suppliers, industrial buyers |
Looking Ahead to 2027
Given the successful cycles of these annual and biennial events, professionals should prepare for:
- Metalloobrabotka 2027: Likely May 2027 (Crocus Expo) — the biennial cycle may apply, check official sources.
- RIMTOS 2027: Late October 2027 (Crocus Expo)
- ToolMash 2027: Early December 2027 (Crocus Expo, co-located with Woodex)
Strategic Advice
- For Machine Tool Manufacturers (CNC, lathes, mills): You cannot miss Metalloobrabotka (May). It is the largest gathering of buyers in the region. Complement this with RIMTOS (October) if you are targeting state-owned enterprises.
- For Cutting Tool & Abrasive Suppliers: Metalloobrabotka offers the widest audience, while ToolMash (December) offers a more focused environment with dedicated buyers for consumables.
- For Mould & Die Specialists: RosMould (June) is your specialized, non-negotiable event.
- For International Suppliers Seeking Market Entry: The shift toward domestic production creates opportunities for “friendly nation” suppliers (China, Turkey, India, Iran). RIMTOS offers the most direct access to Russian decision-makers navigating import substitution mandates.
The Russian machine tools market is hungry for technology, reliability, and partnership. These Moscow events represent the gateway to that market—where contracts are signed, technologies are demonstrated, and the future of Russian manufacturing is shaped.