Making parts for a new industry can be profitable but requires a clear plan to smooth the process. Learn from three shops that have thrived since choosing to target additional markets.
Machine repair threatens to become a lost art. Methods Machine Tools is fighting this entropy with its new Center of Excellence, which is set to provide training on both top-of-the-line and legacy machine tools.
Staking out a niche can help your job shop win repeat business and steady revenue. Discover how several successful job shops have claimed theirs.
Mazak Corp. hosts the Discover More with Mazak open house at its Dallas Technical Center on March 11-12 in Dallas, Texas. The event will feature the company’s Variaxis i-700T five-axis machining center, QT-Ez 12MY horizontal turning center, Integrex j-200S Neo multitasking machine and Syncrex 38/9 Swiss-type turning machine.
By building processes for its niche, rather than a general manufacturing approach, Grind All has developed an unusual (yet profitable) value proposition.
In job shops, throughput often lives in the steps between cuts: tooling, offsets, refixturing, programming and training. The March issue features practical ways shops are cutting setup time and variation through multitasking, modular tooling, process stability and more.
Advanced tooling and tool path strategies can do just as much as a new machine tool to cut cycle times and improve tool life. Learn from tooling specialists about recent optimizations, as well as the tool paths and advanced CAM features they see improving job shops’ productivity.
High-performance tooling can make deep cuts in your cycle times, but requires the right preparations to make full use of it. Sandvik’s Chris Monroe walks us through some of the considerations for making the best use of today’s advanced tooling.
How one shop standardized repeatable setups without a toolroom by using operation-level tool lists, location discipline and a pragmatic ERP workflow.
Struggling with blind holes in thin materials? Use these drill point strategies, tap selections and clearance tips to maximize usable thread depth and meet pull-out specs without redesigning the part.
A U-axis head can be a good option for shops hoping to perform turning and boring operations on a CNC milling machine.
Kennametal’s KCU25B tooling proved durable enough for turn-peeling a lengthy austenitic stainless steel 1.4435 rotor while reducing cycle times.
Coastal Machine and Supply has made great strides into defense and space work, but needed machine monitoring to keep its momentum. It may be in the early days of implementation, but utilization has already soared.
A new generation of buyers and technological advances are reshaping the quoting process. Here’s how job shops can turn these shifts into growth opportunities.
Learn how Mastercam senior education market specialist Clint Smith jumped into a machining program after high school with no prior experience, and why he thinks the future of manufacturing is in good hands.
A lot of what makes modern machining difficult isn’t whether a dimension falls within tolerance; it’s whether the shape actually works once the part is in service. That’s where contour measuring instruments comes into play.
Use tap testing to generate stability maps and maximize productivity with chatter-free machining parameters.
George Schuetz has written the Quality Gaging Tips column since 1993. As he hands it off to the next generation, hear his thoughts on the column and what it has brought to his role at Mahr.
Breaking down white-light interferometry, an extreme-precision, noncontact method for measuring the most demanding surface profiles.
Acutec Precision Aerospace paired a shopfloor CMM with a robotic mill-turn cell to unlock unattended throughput without compromising a micron of quality.
Advancements in digital three-point micrometers enable more precise bore measurements with a self-aligning design, interchangeable heads and wireless data collection.
An international, interdisciplinary working group led by ABB is working to standardize how to measure robot energy consumption. This could lead to more energy-efficient models and decrease users’ total cost of ownership and carbon footprint.
Machina Labs’ RoboCraftsman forms parts autonomously and without dies. But sheet metal fabrication is just the first step for these AI-powered robotic production cells.
Trener Robotics’ ability to program using natural language turns robots from tools that require special skills to use into coworkers who can take on undesirable tasks.
Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is emerging as a streamlined communication technology for industrial automation, transmitting data and power over long distances, unifying systems and enhancing security.
A platform enabling automation of lot sizes as small as one part is helping Mach Medical on its mission for just-in-time orthopedic implant manufacturing.
Lights-out manufacturing boosts throughput while ensuring machinists take on only the tasks that matter. Acutec Precision Aerospace knows this—and uses it as the foundation for an innovative, successful shop.
The “Made in China 2025” plan transformed China into a global automation supplier. What will the U.S. do to compete?
Modern Machine Shop was early to cover CNC when others weren’t. Now, as AI pushes into programming, optimization and robotics, we need to separate production-ready tools from overpromised tech.
TASC is a one-of-a-kind, two-day automation conference designed to drive efficiency, quality and scalability at U.S. job shops. Register now through July 11 to receive early-bird pricing and discover practical automation solutions tailored for small-and mid-sized shops.
The Automated Shop Conference (TASC, August 12–13) is designed for job shop leaders looking to implement automation in practical, high-impact ways — from lights-out machining to AI-driven programming and front-office integration. Here are 10 standout sessions led by shop owners, engineers and innovators who are pushing automation forward without massive budgets or unrealistic expectations.
TASC 2025 takes place in Indianapolis this August. Attendees will be able to learn automation strategies from their peers: All information—no bluster.
New U.S.-based event announced in 2021 finally debuts next year: focuses on complete additive manufacturing value chain. More at formnextchicago.com.
Chiron Group combines the best of both worlds at IMTS 2024, featuring live demonstrations of their Micro5 and Mill 2000 machines, alongside a cutting-edge virtual showroom. This innovative approach allows visitors to explore Chiron’s full product lineup without the logistical challenges of transporting large equipment.
Half of the 16 machines in the company’s booth are world or North American debuts.
Learn more about the variety of technology and machinery Hwacheon Machinery America, Inc. is featuring at its IMTS 2024 booth.
FANUC’s IMTS 2024 booth includes real-time demonstrations that show the abilities of its equipment, including robots, controllers and machine tools.
AI has the potential to reshape manufacturing software — but first, it will require data.
A test cut — justified by specific risk, designed on a clean canvas and used to confirm rather than analyze — can expose if uncommon machining traits fit your needs.
From inventory and cycle-time margins to inspection and data flow, how improved process control is changing what buffers have to carry and what happens when they’re removed too soon.
Volume machining teaches you on a delay. Some lessons are available on part one, some take a shift and some won’t show up for weeks. The timeline matters. Here’s how to read it from the first part to the last.
Across Modern Machine Shop’s recent reporting, the same operational pressures keep appearing in shops of all sizes. From quoting speed and software scrutiny to workforce visibility and repeatable setups, these patterns reveal how manufacturers are actually making decisions right now.
Addman Advanced Metals has scaled from a single 3D printer to 25 while also building out a robust array of subtractive machines. In this video, find out how the shop manages its additive and subtractive workflows — and how it combines the two into a profitable niche.
Nine machines, two machinists. What technologies have enabled Midway Swiss Turn to operate at this level of lean staffing? Find out in this shop tour.
Part programming can become a bottleneck, one that only gets longer as part complexity increases. MSP has cut down this bottleneck through AI-powered CAM software. Get the details inside.
How can a facility that requires manual work for some long-standing parts be made more efficient? Join us as we look inside The L. S. Starrett Company’s headquarters in Athol, Massachusetts, and see how this long-established OEM is updating its processes.
Grants. Software. Process consolidation. These three pillars can bring new life to a shop, enabling it to take on more complex jobs with faster turnarounds. In this shop tour, find out how MSP Manufacturing has used each pillar to solidify itself as a reliable partner for defense and aerospace companies.
In this episode of Made in the USA, several executives and senior staff at Hardinge give their first-person account of how they formulated the plan to shift the manufacturing of its milling and turning product lines from its Taiwan plant to its plant in Elmira, New York, the major challenges they encountered and the rewards that made it worth the effort.
The L.S. Starrett Co. has been manufacturing precision measurement tools in Athol, Massachusetts, since 1880. Attention to U.S. manufacturing often focuses on reshoring manufacturing from other countries, but Starrett never left. The facility in Athol employs hundreds and produces thousands of tools that remain vital for measurement in machining and other fields.
The latest episode “Made in the USA” podcast explores a company that uses collaborative robots, one of the key tools helping US machine shops and other manufacturers compete with lower cost countries by automating production.
When Puneet and Neelam Neotia moved from India to the United States several years ago, they brought with them a family background in manufacturing and CNC machining. Now the couple is working to get their startup machine shop off the ground, sourcing new customers and getting the word out about their shop in Clarksville, Indiana. The couple — proud to publicize their "Made in the USA" parts — is leveraging family connections and manufacturing capabilities back in India, but not in the way that some people assume.
Entrepreneur Scott Colosimo found early success in China producing parts for his Cleveland-based motorcycle company in the mid-2000s. This is the story of how IP theft issues overwhelmed the business, prompting Colosimo and his team to start over from scratch — and move production back to the United States.
So far, Made in the USA has looked into system-wide effects of broken supply chains, automation, skilled workforce issues and our perception of manufacturing jobs — examining each topic through a prism of individual experiences. For this final episode for Season 1, let’s look at one more system-wide question and bring it back to personal perspectives: Is there today a new dawn, a new moment for American manufacturing?
The annual data-driven benchmarking and business improvement event now includes CNC machining and industrial finishing.
Modern Machine Shop is proud to announce the 2026 Top Shops Benchmarking Survey, opening February 1 through April 10, 2026.
What sets a Top Shop apart from other shops? Industry leaders explored this question at the 2025 Top Shops Conference and found a common answer: proactive, intentional purchases and systems planning.
Learn how veteran-owned shop Win-Tech not only excels in aerospace and defense manufacturing with CMMC level two compliance, but also transforms lives by hiring veterans and encouraging students to explore manufacturing.
Discrete parts manufacturing is defined by complexity and tight margins. The 2025 Top Shops honorees show how leading shops turn those pressures into strengths, using technology, culture and strategy to compete. Join them in Charlotte, North Carolina, this November to see what the top 20% are doing differently.
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
Heule Precision Tool’s COFA tooling uses a carbide blade to remove burrs from the front and back of a drilled through-hole in a single pass, without stopping or reversing the spindle.
PolyWorks 2026 elevates 3D measurement with cloud technology, AI and universal compatibility.
Zimmermann Inc.’s FZU22 gantry mill features a specialized five-axis milling head with 15-kW spindle.
United Machining launches limited-edition wire EDM and milling machines from its Agie Charmilles and Mikron Mill brands.
Baileigh Industrial introduces its line of gear-head engine lathes, engineered for built-in safety and designed to increase output in production-driven shops.
Dillon Manufacturing Inc. offers jaw forming rings that attach without tools, provide a jaw surface true to the machine centerline and automatically compensate for jaw lift.
Labor shortages, rising production demands, and pressure to increase throughput with limited resources are challenges most machine shops know well. For many small and midsize operations, traditional automation has felt out of reach, often requiring substantial capital investment, specialized engineering expertise, and lengthy implementation timelines. This webinar examines how that calculus is changing. Service-based models, including robots as a service (RaaS), may allow manufacturers to deploy machine tending in weeks rather than months, treat costs as operating expenses rather than capital investments, and limit the need for in-house robotics expertise. Attendees will gain a grounded, practical look at the barriers that have historically held shops back, the conditions under which newer models can help address them, and what real-world adoption actually looks like on the shop floor. Whether you're actively evaluating automation or simply staying informed, this session offers a practical framework for thinking through your options.AgendaThe labor and productivity pressures most commonly driving automation adoption in metalworking todayThe barriers associated with traditional automation approaches and how service-based models change the financial and operational calculusHow RaaS and fully supported deployment works in practice, including who handles maintenance, programming, and production variabilityWhat time to value looks like for shops that have made this shift, and how they're measuring resultsHow to assess whether your operation is a strong candidate for this type of deploymentKey trends shaping where shop floor automation is headedHow collaborative industry efforts are working to make automation more accessible for shops of all sizes
In the 2026 job shop, the traditional metric of tool life is no longer sufficient to maintain a competitive advantage. As material costs rise and skilled labor remains at a premium, profitability increasingly depends on a holistic approach to grooving operations.This technical webinar examines how forward-thinking job shops are reducing costs per part by shifting focus from insert longevity to total process optimization. The first half addresses the foundational pillars of productivity. While many shops concentrate on insert savings, enhancing process stability and aggressive parameter management yields greater returns on the bottom line. Attendees will explore how increasing cutting speeds and feed rates — supported by next-generation chip control and high-pressure coolant delivery — reduces the impact of machinery, labor and overhead costs. By shortening cycle times and ensuring first-part-correct stability, shops can reclaim machine capacity and lower the total cost burden per component.The second half focuses on the unique challenges of the job shop environment. Unlike high-volume production settings, job shops must efficiently handle small batch sizes and frequent changeovers. The webinar will address strategic solutions for the limited-station dilemma, including how modular tooling and multi-functional grooving geometries can reduce the number of tools required in the turret. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for cutting cycle time, simplifying operations and improving profitability.AgendaReduced setup times: Utilizing quick-change systems that ensure center-height accuracy without trial cutsOperational consistency: Implementing predictable wear patterns that allow for repeatable, unattended machining, even on uncommon parts or difficult alloysInventory lean-out: Consolidating tool libraries to reduce the administrative and financial burden of excess stock
Your shop floor generates data every second. For most manufacturers, that data never becomes a decision.Tool changes get missed. Schedules drift. Supervisors spend the first hour of every shift reconstructing the last one. The gap between what your machines know and what your team can act on is the execution gap, and it is costing shops in downtime, missed deliveries and the hours their best people spend chasing information instead of running production.MachineMetrics is an AI-powered manufacturing operations platform built for discrete manufacturers. By connecting directly to machines and integrating with an ERP, MachineMetrics gives every role across an operation a live picture of production reality, so teams can stop reacting and start executing.In this session, MachineMetrics Product Manager Josh Fish is joined by Thomas Deslongchamps, director of training and continuous improvement at Pindel Global Precision, for a candid look at what closing the execution gap actually looks like inside a precision machining shop. Deslongchamps will share how Pindel is using automated workflows, Max AI and real-time OEE metrics to build a shop floor that runs on data instead of instinct.
Get an exclusive early look at what’s coming in Mastercam 2027. In this preview webinar, we’ll highlight upcoming innovations designed to make CNC programming faster, smarter and more connected across your manufacturing workflows. Join our product expert to see how Mastercam continues to evolve to meet the real-world needs of modern shops and programmers. Discover what’s next and how it can help you stay competitive.
Traditional robotic deployment methods are hitting a ceiling as manufacturing shifts toward high-mix production. For system integrators, scaling these systems often requires exhaustive custom coding and rigid environments that struggle with variability. This session presented by Trener examines the transition to AI-native application platforms and how a hardware-agnostic approach can bridge the gap between complex artificial intelligence and industrial reliability. Participants will explore how a standardized integration suite allows for the deployment of adaptive applications, such as machine tending, across mixed fleets including Fanuc, ABB, and Universal Robots. By moving away from vendor-specific silos, integrators can shorten commissioning timelines and reduce the risk of custom code debt. Agenda Analyzing why static programming fails in high-variability environments. Maintaining a single logic layer across mixed fleets to simplify staff training. A technical look at using pretrained AI for tasks like machine tending. Leveraging simulation and real-time monitoring to de-risk deployments. Methods for reducing engineering hours per cell and improving resilience. Transitioning from a labor-intensive model to a scalable automation business. A deep-dive video demonstration of the software in a live robot cell, featuring a side-by-side "before vs. after" performance analysis, technical specifications, and a first-hand testimonial from the system integrator on overcoming deployment hurdles.
Programming bottlenecks, scrap and machine downtime cost CNC shops time and money every day — whether you’re handling frequent design changes, juggling multiple setups or pushing machines to run more complex parts. In this webinar, you’ll learn practical CAM techniques for programming CNC parts faster, reducing setup time and avoiding costly shop-floor issues, using workflows built for real-world manufacturing environments. Rather than a high-level product overview, this session focuses on how CAM programmers and shop teams actually work. You’ll see how Fusion for Manufacturing connects design, CAM programming and simulation in a single platform, making it easier to manage change, program complex parts with confidence and validate toolpaths before they ever reach the machine. During this webinar, you will learn how to: Automatically update CAM toolpaths when CAD geometry changes while preserving machining intent Apply advanced roughing and finishing strategies — including adaptive clearing, steep and shallow, and high-efficiency machining — to reduce cycle time and improve tool life Program 3+2 and full five-axis milling operations to improve tool access, reduce setups and handle complex geometries Verify toolpaths using stock, holder and machine simulation to prevent collisions, scrap and rework Who should attend: CNC job shops managing high-mix, frequently-changing work Shops running multiple machines, controls and setups that need consistent, repeatable programming CNC programmers responsible for complex parts, tight tolerances and short lead times Shops looking to reduce programming time and setup complexity without adding more software Teams planning to expand into multi-axis or five-axis machining and want more confidence at the machine By the end of this webinar, you’ll walk away with practical CAM workflows you can apply immediately to program faster, reduce setups and keep machines cutting — so your shop can take on more work with confidence and consistency.
As the largest robotics and automation event in the Americas, this is the place for anyone working with or curious about automation. Join us in discovering what’s next – for you and the world.
CONTRAX events connect buyers and suppliers of American contract manufacturing services. From concept to contract, CONTRAX showcases North America’s premier industrial parts producers and service providers – leaders in design engineering, 3D printing and prototyping, CNC machining, casting, metal forming and fabricating, injection molding, surface treatment, parts finishing and systems integration. CONTRAX mission is to grow North American manufacturing by showcasing suppliers equipped to support the growing demand for advanced manufacturing production and services. Businesses looking to expand their supply base, take product to market or address production, services, reshoring, onshoring or nearshoring needs can turn to CONTRAX to find the companies, content and insights for solving and staying ahead of supply chain challenges.
The Parts Cleaning Conference (PCC) is a three-day event for learning, innovation, regulation and networking in industrial parts cleaning. At the Parts Cleaning Conference, you’ll gain actionable insights with practical solutions for today's toughest cleaning challenges, learn from top minds in manufacturing and cleaning technology, explore new tools, equipment and sustainable approaches and gain valuable connections.
Celebrate National Composites Week 2026! The goal of National Composites Week is to celebrate and bring attention to the myriad ways that composite materials and composites manufacturing contributes to the products and structures that shape the American manufacturing landscape today. Learn how you can participate in this year's National Composites Week on NationalCompositesWeek.com.
IMTS 2026 will be held September 14-19, 2026 at McCormick Place, Chicago.Manufacturers achieve the impossible at IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show by pushing the boundaries of innovation, forming lasting connections and discovering advancements redefining manufacturing.As the largest trade show in the Western Hemisphere, IMTS draws the innovators, sellers and drivers of manufacturing technology together to connect, be inspired and find new solutions.
Presented by Additive Manufacturing Media, Modern Machine Shop & Manufacturing Connected. Additive manufacturing is transforming defense and aerospace manufacturing by enabling flexible and responsive manufacturing of critical parts. AM makes it possible to rapidly ramp up or scale production of drones, hypersonic engines, spare parts and more without the challenges of hard tooling. This half-day workshop will highlight how military contractors, aerospace OEMs and others are applying additive manufacturing to achieve significant lead time reductions, cost savings and accelerated innovation. The program is designed for current and future additive manufacturers serving the defense and aerospace markets with end-use parts.
Follow these guidelines to get the most out of aggressive roughing while improving cycle times and keeping quality intact.
Most troubleshooting fails for a simple reason: rather than conducting true root cause analysis, people start assigning causes before they properly classify behavior.
The same principles that make a good low-volume process also make a good high-volume process. The difference is that production requires you to be intentional everywhere you used to rely on instinct.