Top Shops Conference 2026

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Machine Tools See All

10 Sep 2026
Flow International Shines a Light On Product Expansion
For the first time at IMTS, Flow International is showcasing its full portfolio of cutting and forming technologies, including waterjet systems, lasers and press brakes.

8 Sep 2026
Muratec Brings 'Automation for All' to IMTS 2026
Muratec USA is highlighting its portfolio of machines and integrated automation solutions, as well as its Job Shop Center, where IMTS attendees can interact with its solutions in real-time.

3 Sep 2026
Removing the Difficulty From Hard Milling
Hard milling has long demanded levels of accuracy and rigidity that made the operation unprofitable. New technologies and strategies could improve its viability.

21 Aug 2026
A Five-Axis Machine With The Right Stuff
A new Trimill milling machine with a five-axis head has enabled aerospace and defense shop Votaw Precision Technologies to take work it wouldn’t have previously considered.

29 Jul 2026
Seeing Advances in Large-Scale Multitask Machining
At a recent open house, WFL Millturn Technologies highlighted new forms of automation, tooling and process control for its sizeable turn-mill equipment.

13 Jul 2026
He Built a Machine Shop on a Working Cattle Farm (Video)
Jeff Lewis has spent his entire life on 380 acres in Cox's Creek, Kentucky — farming it, raising a family on it, and building a precision CNC shop that now machines die inserts for major automotive OEMs. This is how all three things ended up in the same place.
Tooling See All

9 Sep 2026
Tooling Alternatives as Carbide Costs Rise
Shops have a variety of cutting tool options — including but not limited to carbide — when it comes to effectively machining heat-resistant super alloys.

22 Jul 2026
How to Counter Jaw Lift and Wear
Jaw lift is a natural force that pushes parts ever so slightly out of the vise. Uncontrolled, it can throw ultra-precision parts out of tolerance. Careful planning can counter its worst effects.

13 Jul 2026
He Built a Machine Shop on a Working Cattle Farm (Video)
Jeff Lewis has spent his entire life on 380 acres in Cox's Creek, Kentucky — farming it, raising a family on it, and building a precision CNC shop that now machines die inserts for major automotive OEMs. This is how all three things ended up in the same place.

29 Jun 2026
How to Implement Zero-Point Workholding
The value of zero-point workholding systems is that your machine stops being tied to your setups. Once you see it that way, the day-to-day uses are easy to find.

2 Jun 2026
Lang Technik USA Scales Up (And Down) In New Facility
Lang’s new Wisconsin facility, which will become the first U.S. manufacturing site for the company, showcases larger modular workholding products and more compact automation.

22 May 2026
A Framework for Limiting Tool Wear in Machining
Because tool costs can be significant, selecting a process plan that limits tool wear to an acceptable, predictable level is important for machining. Consider these metalcutting wear mechanisms to get the most out of your tooling.
Software See All

8 Sep 2026
Charting the Course Through Schedule Drift
Flexible, AI-driven software has helped two job shops solve scheduling bottlenecks before they occur and improve their on-time delivery rates in the process.

24 Jul 2026
Four Methods to Streamline Part Programming
How can shops cut programming times for more profitable jobs today? Feature-based programming, canned cycles, associative CAD/CAM and simulation are all active innovations that improve programming efficiency while cutting cycle times.

17 Jul 2026
Associative CAD/CAM Increases Shop’s Productivity Fivefold
Fully integrated CAD/CAM and revision control have enabled Willis Custom Yachts to confidently perform lights-out work for a fivefold productivity gain.

5 Jun 2026
Why Slow Quoting Is Costing U.S. Machine Shops Work
A shop can have the right machines, people and capacity — and still lose the job. The reason may be quoting speed. This AI tool is built to close that gap.

29 May 2026
Performing Complex Processes in Fewer Touches
High-end, complex parts and staffing the machines that make them are perennial bugbears for job shops. In this recap of DN Solutions’ 2026 Manufacturing Without Limits event, see the technology and software the OEM showcased to meet both these needs.

28 May 2026
Zoller Smart Manufacturing Summit Highlights TMS Capabilities
At the 2026 Zoller Technology Days and Smart Manufacturing Summit, the company highlighted its Smart Manufacturing solutions, including tool management and data handling systems.
Measurement See All

28 Aug 2026
How to Take Compound Measurements With a Digital Caliper
A digital caliper’s zero function enables the user to take compound measurements, producing a result that would otherwise require arithmetic or a second tool.

17 Aug 2026
Applying Master Deviation to High-Precision Gaging
Using master deviation in precision measurements requires a bit of extra diligence on the shop floor, but the payoff in data accuracy and process control is always worth the effort.

12 Jun 2026
How to Prevent Waste With Ideal Metrology Placement
Choosing between inline, near-line and offline metrology requires a process-first approach. Ask whether the measurement is controlling the process or simply evaluating its outcome.

15 May 2026
When Size Dimensions Aren't Enough
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.

17 Apr 2026
How to Stabilize Machining With Tap Testing
Use tap testing to generate stability maps and maximize productivity with chatter-free machining parameters.

15 Apr 2026
How I Made It: George Schuetz, Director of Precision Gages, Mahr Inc.
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.
Automation See All

8 Sep 2026
Muratec Brings 'Automation for All' to IMTS 2026
Muratec USA is highlighting its portfolio of machines and integrated automation solutions, as well as its Job Shop Center, where IMTS attendees can interact with its solutions in real-time.

19 Aug 2026
Protect Your Automation by Avoiding Material Inconsistencies
Material inconsistencies can doom an automation integration as surely as incorrect tooling or cutting parameters. What should shops look for in an automation-ready material?

18 Aug 2026
AI Unlocks Automation For Manufacturers Large and Small
AI is making robots easier to use and more capable in palletizing, assembly, inspection and more.

13 Aug 2026
What Form Will Humanoids Take?
As interest grows in dynamic, mobile automation, the industry is still deciding what form these robots will take and how they can safely operate around humans.

11 Aug 2026
Safety Standards Blur Divide Between Industrial Robots, Cobots
With emphasis on the safety of the entire application instead of just the robot, new safety systems are making industrial robots safe to work alongside humans and as easy to program as cobots.

5 Aug 2026
New Opportunities for Automation
Robot adoption is growing in North America, but the U.S. still lags other countries. The Automation Sector at IMTS 2026 has solutions for manufacturers at all stages of their automation journeys.
TASC See All

27 Oct 2025 Automation
The Strategy Gap: Why U.S. Job Shops Must Close It From the Ground Up
The “Made in China 2025” plan transformed China into a global automation supplier. What will the U.S. do to compete?

13 Aug 2025 Automation
What CNC Taught Us About Adopting AI in Manufacturing
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.

2 Jul 2025 Automation
Last Chance for the TASC Early-Bird Discount!
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.

18 Jun 2025 Automation
Lessons That Matter for the Future of Automated Job 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.

10 Jun 2025
Register for TASC: The Automated Shop Conference

4 Feb 2025
Why Add TASC to Your List?
TASC 2025 takes place in Indianapolis this August. Attendees will be able to learn automation strategies from their peers: All information—no bluster.
IMTS See All

9 Sep 2026
Tooling Alternatives as Carbide Costs Rise
Shops have a variety of cutting tool options — including but not limited to carbide — when it comes to effectively machining heat-resistant super alloys.

1 Sep 2026
Plan Your Visit to the Additive Sector at IMTS 2026
Housed for the first time in the South Building, the Additive Sector reinforces AM’s role as a production technology that complements other processes. Six AM categories to investigate at this year’s show.

13 Sep 2024
Coming to McCormick Place in April: Additive FOR Manufacturing at Formnext Chicago
New U.S.-based event announced in 2021 finally debuts next year: focuses on complete additive manufacturing value chain. More at formnextchicago.com.

12 Sep 2024
Chiron Group Unveils Virtual Showroom & Live Demos at IMTS 2024
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.

12 Sep 2024
JTEKT Debuts Eight Machines at IMTS
Half of the 16 machines in the company’s booth are world or North American debuts.

12 Sep 2024
Go Big or Go Home: Hwacheon Displays a Wide Variety of Machinery at IMTS 2024
Learn more about the variety of technology and machinery Hwacheon Machinery America, Inc. is featuring at its IMTS 2024 booth.
Columns See All

9 Sep 2026
How to Certify Production at Scale With PPAP
If you demonstrate how well your machining process fits inside the tolerances, customers can stop inspecting every part and trust the process as volume increases.

28 Aug 2026
How to Take Compound Measurements With a Digital Caliper
A digital caliper’s zero function enables the user to take compound measurements, producing a result that would otherwise require arithmetic or a second tool.

24 Aug 2026
The Paper Bag and the Digital Twin
In 1936, the first Bridgeport was sketched on a paper bag in a parked truck. Three companies recently featured by Modern Machine Shop show how much of that same judgment has moved into software and automated systems. A fourth shows where it hasn't.

17 Aug 2026
Applying Master Deviation to High-Precision Gaging
Using master deviation in precision measurements requires a bit of extra diligence on the shop floor, but the payoff in data accuracy and process control is always worth the effort.

27 Jul 2026
What Closing the Information Gap Actually Looks Like
Manufacturing Connected promised to close the information gap. Now that it’s live, here’s what will determine whether it delivers on that promise.

6 Jul 2026
How Manufacturing Leaders Can Close the Information Gap
Shop owners and GMs do not need more information. They need earlier signals, clearer context and a better way to connect market movement to decisions about quoting, material, capacity and capital spending.
View From My Shop See All

13 Jul 2026
He Built a Machine Shop on a Working Cattle Farm (Video)
Jeff Lewis has spent his entire life on 380 acres in Cox's Creek, Kentucky — farming it, raising a family on it, and building a precision CNC shop that now machines die inserts for major automotive OEMs. This is how all three things ended up in the same place.

1 Apr 2026
Inside a Next-Gen Aerospace Machine Shop Running 24/7 Lights-Out | Shop Tour
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.

13 Jan 2026
Shop Tour Video: How to Integrate Additive and Subtractive Machining
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.

22 Oct 2025
Setting the Stage for Swiss Machining Success: Shop Tour Video
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.

22 Jul 2025
Video Interview: Programming Faster and Winning Jobs with AI CAM Software
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.

26 Jun 2025
OEM Tour Video: Lean Manufacturing for Measurement and Metrology
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.
Made in the USA Podcast See All

11 Apr 2023
Made in the USA - Season 2 Episode 6: Why, and How, Hardinge is Reshoring Machine Tool Production
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.

7 Mar 2023
Made in the USA - Season 2 Episode 4: A Measured Approach
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.

21 Feb 2023
Made in the USA - Season 2 Episode 3: The Robots Come Home
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.

7 Feb 2023
Made in the USA - Season 2 Episode 2: Man, No Smoke!
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.

24 Jan 2023
Made in the USA - Season 2 Episode 1: A Return From China
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.

12 Jan 2023
Made in the USA – Season 1 Episode 6: The Way Forward
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?
Top Shops Benchmarking See All

21 Jul 2026 Top Shops
Modern Machine Shop Announces 2026 Top Shops Honorees
Selected from participants in MMS’ annual Top Shops Benchmarking Survey, this year’s honorees exemplify innovation, leadership and operational excellence in the machining industry.

20 Apr 2026 Top Shops
Top Shops Conference Expands, Adds Products Finishing
The annual data-driven benchmarking and business improvement event now includes CNC machining and industrial finishing.

1 Apr 2026 Top Shops
Modern Machine Shop’s 2026 Top Shops Benchmarking Survey Goes Live Feb. 1
Modern Machine Shop is proud to announce the 2026 Top Shops Benchmarking Survey, opening February 1 through April 10, 2026.

15 Dec 2025 Top Shops
Proactivity Generates Success: Takeaways from Top Shops 2025
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.

12 Nov 2025 Aerospace
Machining with a Mission
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.

27 Oct 2025 Top Shops
The Strategy Gap: Why U.S. Job Shops Must Close It From the Ground Up
The “Made in China 2025” plan transformed China into a global automation supplier. What will the U.S. do to compete?
Suppliers See All

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Inspection, Testing, Measurement

Manufacturing Execution & Automation Software & Controls

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Workholding

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Videos See All

13 Jul 2026 View From My Shop
He Built a Machine Shop on a Working Cattle Farm (Video)
Jeff Lewis has spent his entire life on 380 acres in Cox's Creek, Kentucky — farming it, raising a family on it, and building a precision CNC shop that now machines die inserts for major automotive OEMs. This is how all three things ended up in the same place.

1 Apr 2026 Workforce Development
Inside a Next-Gen Aerospace Machine Shop Running 24/7 Lights-Out | Shop Tour
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.

13 Jan 2026 Additive Manufacturing
Shop Tour Video: How to Integrate Additive and Subtractive Machining
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.

22 Oct 2025 Five-Axis
Setting the Stage for Swiss Machining Success: Shop Tour Video
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.

22 Jul 2025 View From My Shop
Video Interview: Programming Faster and Winning Jobs with AI CAM Software
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.

26 Jun 2025 View From My Shop
OEM Tour Video: Lean Manufacturing for Measurement and Metrology
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.
News & Products See All

9 Sep 2026 Additive Manufacturing
EOS Metal 3D Printer Enables High-Volume Production
IMTS 2026: EOS showcases the EOS M4 Onyx, a six-laser industrial metal additive manufacturing system designed for serial production in aerospace, defense, energy and semiconductor manufacturing.

9 Sep 2026 IMTS
Ceratizit Solid Carbide End Mills Support Stable, High-Performance Cutting
IMTS 2026: Ceratizit features its SilverLine four- and five-flute solid carbide end mills, engineered with advanced geometry and Dragonskin coating technology for high-performance machining.

8 Sep 2026 Shop Management Software
High QA Quality Platform Connects Inspection Planning and Traceability from Design to Delivery
IMTS 2026: High QA exhibits its design-driven manufacturing quality platform which provides automated ballooning, GD&T extraction, inspection planning and integrated quality documentation.

7 Sep 2026 IMTS
Scientific Cutting Tools Port Mills Expand Options for Hydraulic Port Machining
IMTS 2026: Scientific Cutting Tools Inc. introduces a standard line of solid-carbide port mills for machining SAE J1926 ORB and AS5202 hydraulic port profiles, with uncoated and Versa (AlCrN) coated options available.

4 Sep 2026 Workholding
iSwiss Collets Reduce Setup Downtime for Turning Applications
IMTS 2026: iSwiss Corp. introduces its Quick Exchange Collet system, engineered for CNC lathes and quick-grip workholding applications to improve productivity and machine utilization.

4 Sep 2026 IMTS
Iscar Machining Solution Boosts Cutting-Edge Utilization
IMTS 2026: Iscar highlights its Maxout machining strategy, featuring cutting tool technologies and application support aimed at reducing cost-per-part and improving productivity across key industries.
Webinars See All

24 Sep 2026
Automating Your Workholding: Readiness, ROI, & Real-World Results
Manufacturers everywhere are feeling the same squeeze: a shrinking skilled talent pool, customers demanding higher quality and faster deliveries and competitors leveraging automation to cut costs and lead times. The instinct is often to buy another machine, but for most shops, the real bottleneck isn't capacity. It's everything happening around the spindle. Join All World's Jim McCullough for a 60-minute session on where automation actually pays off in your workholding process—and where it doesn't. You'll learn how to tell if you're constrained by capacity or inefficiency, which processes deliver ROI in weeks versus which require a larger investment and what kind of payback to realistically expect. We'll also walk through a real automation project, from first concept to full-scale production across multiple part families. Whether you're evaluating your first automation investment or scaling an existing program, you'll leave with a clear framework for what you can automate, when to do it and the results you can realistically expect. Agenda Introduction About All World/Presenter Current Pressures in Manufacturing What to do Before You Automate (Automating Too Early / Too Late) Understanding Your Production Constraints Common Signals That You're Ready (To Automate) What Processes Can Be Automated Tracking Automation Savings Case Study 5 Steps to Automate Your Workflow Today Q&A

On Demand
Building Resilience in Fabrication: Thriving in a Changing Market
Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and rising demand for custom orders are pushing fabrication shops to do more with less. Learn practical strategies for gaining real-time shop floor visibility, simplifying job tracking and using practical AI to anticipate disruptions, speed up quoting and cut lead times. Walk away with tools to build a faster, more resilient fabrication operation. Agenda Map today's biggest fabrication challenges — supply volatility, labor gaps and custom demand — to their real impact on shop floor throughput and margins. See how centralized job, inventory and scheduling data closes visibility gaps, enables proactive fixes and cuts downtime. Explore quick wins from practical AI, including simplified job tracking, automated admin work and clearer communication that free up skilled staff for higher-value work. Learn techniques for faster, more accurate quoting and live progress updates that help shops reliably deliver complex, customized orders.

On Demand
AI in CAM: From 2-5 Axis Milling to Swiss Turning—Real or Hype?
Artificial intelligence is everywhere — but how much of it actually improves CNC programming, and how much is just marketing? In this webinar, we'll cut through the noise with practical demonstrations of AI-powered capabilities in CAMWorks, showing how AI can help programmers work faster, standardize best practices, and reduce repetitive tasks without compromising security or control. Through hands-on demonstrations, you'll see where AI delivers measurable value today — and where human expertise still makes all the difference. Agenda Separate AI fact from fiction — understand which AI capabilities provide real value in today's CAM environment. See AI in action with hands-on CAMWorks demonstrations that accelerate programming and automate repetitive tasks. Learn how AI complements — not replaces — experienced CNC programmers by enhancing productivity and consistency. Discover how to capture and reuse your shop's best practices to improve programming quality and reduce setup time. Understand the importance of secure, local AI that protects your intellectual property without relying on cloud-based services. Explore practical AI workflows you can start using to increase programming efficiency and shorten lead times.

On Demand
AI-Assisted CAM Programming: Keeping Programmers in Control
AI-assisted CAM programming is changing how machine shops move from CAD model to finished part—helping CNC programmers reduce programming time, improve consistency and streamline machining strategy development. But for many programmers and manufacturers, one question remains central: how do you gain the benefits of AI-assisted CNC programming while keeping experienced people in control of the process? Join CloudNC programmer Mathieu Thiem for a practical look at how human-led AI can support CAM programming workflows in the machine shop—accelerating toolpath generation without replacing programmer judgment. Agenda Explore recent updates to CloudNC's CAM Assist AI solution, including the new Strategy Editor for AI-assisted CAM programming See how CNC programmers can review, guide and refine AI-generated machining strategies based on their own shop knowledge, machine requirements and process preferences Learn how AI-assisted CAM can accelerate toolpath generation and programming speed while keeping strategy decisions, validation and final control in the hands of the programmer Get a look at upcoming CAM Assist features designed to give machine shops more visibility, flexibility and confidence when applying AI to real-world CNC programming workflows

On Demand
Carbide vs. Ceramic Tooling: How to Reduce Machining Cycle Times and Increase Productivity
Ceramic cutting tools can significantly improve machining productivity, reduce cycle times, and increase throughput in the right applications. However, determining when to switch from carbide tooling to ceramic tooling requires an understanding of material requirements, machining conditions, and production goals. In this webinar, machining experts will explain the key differences between carbide and ceramic cutting tools and discuss the applications where ceramic tooling delivers the greatest performance advantages. Attendees will learn how ceramic tools can improve machining efficiency, support high-speed machining strategies, and help reduce overall manufacturing costs. The presentation will also cover recommended ceramic grades for common machining operations, material considerations, and practical guidance for selecting the right tooling solution for specific production environments. Join us to learn when ceramic tooling makes sense, how to maximize its performance, and where it can create measurable gains in productivity and profitability. Agenda Introductions Understanding the Differences Between Carbide and Ceramic Cutting Tools How Ceramic Tooling Improves Machining Productivity and Reduces Cycle Times Applications Where Ceramic Tooling Outperforms Carbide Selecting the Right Ceramic Grade for Specific Materials and Operations Best Practices for Implementing Ceramic Tooling in Production Environments Audience Q&A

On Demand
Integrated Microfactories: Robotic Large-Format Additive Manufacturing and AI in Distributed Production
Global supply chains are under pressure. Lead times have stretched, supply is constrained by ongoing disruptions, and the traditional model of centralized production is showing its limits. Distributed manufacturing — building closer to where parts are needed — is emerging as a practical alternative. This webinar examines the microfactory model: a compact, integrated production system that combines robotic large-format additive manufacturing, multi-axis CNC milling, and AI-driven process intelligence to manufacture large industrial components at or near point of use. Nils Niemeyer, chief growth officer at Caracol, and Leslie Bush, senior customer success engineer, will walk through how the model works, what enabling technologies make it viable today, and what real deployments look like across construction, composites, and industrial manufacturing. If you are evaluating strategies to bring more production in-house, reduce supply chain exposure, or scale manufacturing capacity without a greenfield facility investment, this session is for you. Agenda The manufacturing moment: why traditional centralized production is under pressure and what the shift toward distributed manufacturing means for industrial producers The microfactory model: how the convergence of robotics, software and AI makes compact, integrated production systems viable today Technology in practice: a look at robotic large-format additive manufacturing, multi-axis CNC milling and AI-driven process intelligence working as an integrated system Real-world deployments: customer case studies across construction, composites and industrial manufacturing Getting started: what manufacturers need to evaluate before pursuing a microfactory or distributed production model

On Demand
Rethinking Shop Floor Execution With Factory Orchestration Register Now
Events See All

13 Sep 2026
ASME - SMASIS 2026 - Smart Materials & Adaptive Structures
ASME hosts SMASIS 2026 - Smart Materials & Adaptive Structures on Sept. 13-16, 2026 in Albuquerque, NM.

14 Sep 2026
NTMA - 2026 IMTS Technology Luncheon
NTMA hosts 2026 IMTS Technology Luncheon on Sept. 14-19, 2026 in Chicago, IL.

14 Sep 2026
IMTS 2026
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.

15 Sep 2026
PMA - Automotive Parts Suppliers Conference (APSC) 2026
PMA hosts Automotive Parts Suppliers Conference (APSC) 2026 on Sept. 15-16, 2026 online.

15 Sep 2026
FIA - 2026 FIA Safety Conference (incl. Howmet tour)
FIA hosts 2026 FIA Safety Conference (incl. Howmet tour) on Sept. 15-16, 2026 in Cleveland, OH.

15 Sep 2026
AM+ Workshop: Aerospace & Defense
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.

11 Sep 2026 New & Upcoming
NTMA Western Lake Erie - Golf Outing Register Now
Ask the Expert See All

9 Sep 2026 Basics
How to Certify Production at Scale With PPAP
If you demonstrate how well your machining process fits inside the tolerances, customers can stop inspecting every part and trust the process as volume increases.

29 Jun 2026 Workholding
How to Implement Zero-Point Workholding
The value of zero-point workholding systems is that your machine stops being tied to your setups. Once you see it that way, the day-to-day uses are easy to find.

13 May 2026 Basics
3 Principles to Achieve Test Cuts Worth Trusting
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.

10 Apr 2026 Basics
How to Scale Production With the Right Adjustments at the Right Times
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.

16 Mar 2026 Holemaking
Methods for Threading Blind Holes in Thin Materials
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.

13 Feb 2026 Basics
7 Steps to Optimize Aggressive Roughing Operations
Follow these guidelines to get the most out of aggressive roughing while improving cycle times and keeping quality intact.
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Suppliers
Magazine
- Top Shops 2026
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IMTS

IMTS 11 Sep 2026

Use Workholding to Unleash Your Machine Tool
Economics 11 Sep 2026

Metalworking Index Softens in August, But Production Strengthens
IMTS 11 Sep 2026

See the Steps Involved in Making a Quality Cutter
10 Sep 2026

Compact Rotary Transfer Technology New to the U.S. Market
Laser & Waterjet 10 Sep 2026

Flow International Shines a Light On Product Expansion
Basics 9 Sep 2026

How to Certify Production at Scale With PPAP
IMTS 9 Sep 2026

Tooling Alternatives as Carbide Costs Rise
8 Sep 2026

58th Annual World Machine Tool Survey Report and Data Now Available
Shop Management Software 8 Sep 2026

Charting the Course Through Schedule Drift
Automation 8 Sep 2026

Manufacturing Technology Trends Roundup: IMTS 2026

CAD/CAM

CAD/CAM 10 Jan 2025

Mastercam Announces Leadership Transition, Acquires FASTech Inc.

Russ Bukowski has been appointed to the position of interim president.

CAD/CAM 16 Dec 2024

SmartCAM Software Update Increases User Efficiency

SmartCAM v2025’s user interface and display features are said to improve the programmer’s efficiency and accuracy in the CNC program development process.

CAD/CAM 12 Dec 2024

Advanced CAMs Simplify Programming of Conical Barrel Cutters

Conical barrel cutters have grown in popularity thanks to the large stepovers that reduce the time needed for some finishing processes, but advanced CAM systems can dramatically improve their usefulness.

Automation 4 Dec 2024

Hexagon AI-Powered CAM Software Streamlines Part Programming

The ProPlanAI CAM programming tool is designed to help machine shops achieve operational excellence at scale.

CAD/CAM 18 Nov 2024

Verisurf Probing Suite Provides Flexibility in Quality Inspection

Verisurf’s Machine Tool Probing (MTP) suite is an in-process automated inspection solution for CNC machine tools, offering inspection and reporting capabilities.

CAD/CAM 4 Nov 2024

CloudNC CAM Software Features Estimating, Quoting Capabilities

CloudNC introduces the resource-efficient Cycle Time Estimator function for its AI-powered CAM Assist solution, available for Mastercam, Autodesk Fusion and Siemens NX CAM users.

Measurement 28 Oct 2024

Phillips Precision CAD Library Features Fixturing Component Designs

Phillips Precision Inc. has released a library of CAD models for its lineup of Inspection Arsenal fixturing components.

Automation 25 Oct 2024

ModuleWorks, Toolpath Sign Technology Partnership for Accelerated Software Performance

ModuleWorks and Toolpath announce a technology partnership that intends to utilize intelligent cloud-based manufacturing solutions for machining estimation and CAM automation.

CAD/CAM 4 Oct 2024

Verisurf Software Features Optimized Metrology Workflows

Verisurf 2025 includes optimized workflows for inspection, reporting, reverse engineering, tool building and guided assembly.

CAD/CAM 2 Oct 2024

Faster Programming and Training Helps Automotive Shop Thrive

Features that save on training, programming and cycle times have enabled Speedway Motors to rapidly grow and mature its manufacturing arm.

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SMW Autoblok

WEILER

UNISIG Deep Hole Drilling Systems

formnext

RUF Briquetting Systems

Trinity Automation

Smart Machine Tool

IMCO POW-R-FEED M935

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