Top Shops Conference Expands, Adds Products Finishing
The Modern Machine Shop Top Shops Conference is expanding to co‑host the Products Finishing Top Shops Conference on October 6‑7, 2026 in Cleveland’s Huntington Convention Center. Presented by Gardner Business Media and GROW Industrial Intelligence, the joint event merges the CNC machining and industrial finishing communities. Attendees will receive data‑driven benchmarking insights, peer‑led education, awards, exhibits and networking opportunities. Applications for speakers, sponsors and exhibitors are now open on TopShopsEvent.com.
WATCH: 3-Flute Solid Carbide 90º End Mills for Maximum Performance in Aluminum Alloys
Ingersoll has introduced a new line of premium 3‑flute solid‑carbide 90º end mills aimed at high‑speed aluminum alloy machining. The tools feature variable‑pitch and variable‑helix geometry to suppress vibration, and coolant‑through capability on diameters .250″ and larger for better chip...
How I Made It: George Schuetz, Director of Precision Gages, Mahr Inc.
George Schuetz, Director of Precision Gages at Mahr Inc., reflects on a five‑decade career that began in electronic engineering and evolved through Federal Products’ diverse gage lines. He highlights how his "Gaging Tips" column was created to teach shop‑floor technicians...
Tungaloy Exchangeable-Head Systems Reduce Carbide Consumption
Tungaloy Corp. introduced exchangeable‑head solid carbide systems, letting manufacturers replace only worn cutting heads to curb carbide consumption amid rising tungsten prices. The DrillMeister drilling and TungMeister milling platforms provide modular heads for diverse high‑precision operations, reducing inventory and waste....
Metalworking Index Continues Expansion Into March
The Gardner Business Index (GBI) Metalworking sector stayed in expansion for a third straight month, posting a reading of 55.3 in March 2026. Production remained robust, staying above the 60‑point threshold, while most sub‑indices slipped slightly but stayed in positive...
10 Minutes to Influence U.S. Manufacturing Policy
The Reshoring Initiative and Regions Recruiting have launched a 10‑minute survey aimed at original equipment manufacturers and contract manufacturers to capture current reshoring and foreign direct investment trends. The questionnaire also probes how upcoming 2025 federal manufacturing policies could influence...
How to Scale Production With the Right Adjustments at the Right Times
Scaling volume machining requires timing adjustments to the data the machine provides. The first part should be used only to validate the setup, correcting gross errors and chatter while ignoring subtle deviations. Between parts two and ten, a small population...
Automated Single-Piece Workflow Revolutionizes Implant Manufacturing
Orthopedic implant maker Mach Medical has introduced an automated single‑piece workflow that slashes lead times from 20 weeks to three. By standardizing castings and using a Flexxbotics cell with a Universal Robots cobot, vision system, five‑axis machining and in‑process inspection,...
LK Metrology Bridge-Type CMMs Enable Precise Measurement of Large, Heavy Components
LK Metrology introduced the Maxima and Maxima R bridge‑type coordinate measuring machines, offering the industry’s largest granite‑table measurement volume of 12–72 m³. The machines achieve repeatable accuracy down to 3 µm thanks to advanced ceramic guideways, low‑gap air bearings, and a high stiffness‑to‑weight...
Cut Cycle Times Through an HPC and HSM Ecosystem
High‑performance cutting (HPC) and high‑speed machining (HSM) are reshaping metal‑removal strategies by pairing aggressive feeds with rigid machines or rapid, light cuts with high spindle acceleration. Sandvik Coromant’s latest tool geometries, unequal‑helix designs and heat‑resistant PVD coatings enable both approaches while...
Star Cutter Double Pilot Reamer Provides Optimized Size Control
Star Cutter Co. introduced its Double Pilot Reamer, a fully guided cutting tool that delivers ten‑times longer tool life and superior surface finishes for deep‑hole, high‑precision barrel machining across aerospace, defense, and medical sectors. The reamer’s stabilized design eliminates chatter,...
Chiron Group Appoints New CEO
Chiron Group SE announced Roman Gaida as its new chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2026, with the added responsibility of leading global sales. Gaida brings extensive experience from roles at Wieland, OC Oerlikon Balzers, Mitsubishi Electric and most recently as chief sales officer at...
Do Shops Need More Machinists or Better Tooling?
Machine shops face a growing shortage of skilled machinists, prompting owners to seek ways to sustain productivity. One practical solution is upgrading to high‑accuracy, precise, and stable cutting inserts that minimize offset adjustments. Horn’s inserts, manufactured to tolerances as tight...
HCL CAM Software Update Adds Swiss-Type Functionality
HCL Software released CAMWorks 2026, adding native Swiss‑type CNC functionality that automates complex programming, synchronizes multiple machine axes, and includes a segmentation manager for long‑part machining. The update also integrates tightly with SolidWorks, 3DExperience SolidWorks and Solid Edge, allowing toolpaths to update...
How White-Light Interferometry Enables Nanometer Surface Height Measurement of Critical Components
White‑light interferometry (WLI) provides non‑contact surface height measurement with vertical resolution down to single‑digit nanometers and even Angstroms, surpassing LED confocal microscopy’s 10 nm limit. By analyzing interference fringes between measurement and reference beams, WLI achieves precision unattainable with traditional lens‑based...