SMW Autoblok Mechatronic Grippers Feature High Gripping Forces
SMW Autoblok has expanded its MOTIACT line with the MX‑L 335 and MX‑L 520 long‑stroke mechatronic grippers, delivering up to 40 kN of gripping force and jaw strokes of 55 mm and 99 mm respectively. The grippers feature aluminium housings, integrated absolute position sensors, and Profinet/Ethernet‑IP connectivity, ensuring precise force control and power‑loss resilience. Meanwhile, Mastercam released version 2026.R2, promising up to ten‑fold faster simulation, AI‑driven Copilot assistance for voice‑controlled programming, and native support for Blum laser tool setters across major CNC controls. Both announcements underscore a push toward higher payload handling and smarter, faster CNC workflow automation in manufacturing.
Integrated Metrology Solution Powers Lights-Out Aerospace Production
Acutec Precision Aerospace equipped three DMG MORI NZX 2000 nine‑axis mill‑turn centers with an inline metrology cell that combines a Mitutoyo MiSTAR 555 CMM and a FANUC robotic arm. The system moves parts directly from machining to measurement, delivering inspection results...
ESOPs and Profit-Sharing Inspire Employees to Upskill
Manufacturers adopting employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and profit‑sharing schemes see stronger workforce motivation and skill development. Companies like Astro Machine Works reported ESOP share values soaring from $1.12 to $114.50, while bonus programs tied to cash‑flow performance encourage staff...
How I Made It: Joseph Alonso, Founder of Novo Modo Machining
Joseph Alonso founded Novo Modo Machining in 2023, introducing standardized cells for complex five‑axis work. By the end of 2025 he projects $4 million in annual revenue, leveraging his early‑stage real‑estate investments for capital. The company plans to scale through a...
InnovMetric, Faro Creaform Integration Enables Direct Data Acquisition
InnovMetric and Faro Creaform have integrated Faro’s auto‑referencing multi‑line 3D scanners directly into PolyWorks|Inspector, allowing real‑time data capture, visualization, and dimensional analysis without switching software. The workflow streamlines training, accelerates onboarding, and ensures consistent inspection templates across global OEM plants. Meanwhile,...
Exair Fluid Filtration System Maintains Optimal Coolant Efficiency
Exair has introduced a Chip Trapper lid rebuild kit that restores worn sealing components, enabling older pneumatic vacuum filtration units to regain near‑new performance across 30‑, 55‑, and 110‑gallon models. The kit replaces bulkhead, quick‑connect, and gasket parts, extending coolant...
Methods for Threading Blind Holes in Thin Materials
Blind threaded holes in thin sections often cause manufacturability problems because the required full thread depth competes with hidden depth losses. The drill point’s conical tip, the tap’s lead‑in, and a necessary clearance zone together reduce usable thread length, threatening...
No Slowing Down – Metalworking Index Continues Climb
The Gardner Business Index (GBI) for metalworking rose 3.3 points in February, reaching 56.3 and confirming expansion. Five of the six component metrics are above the 50‑point threshold, with production and new orders both topping 60, matching early‑2022 peaks. The...
4 Key Growth Opportunities to Boost CNC Machining Workforce
The U.S. CNC machining sector faces a deep talent gap, with hundreds of thousands of open positions despite a workforce of roughly 12.7 million manufacturing employees. Median machinist age is 46.9, and retirements are outpacing new talent, risking up to 2.1 million...
Achieving More Versatility From Three-Point Gaging
Three-point micrometers, long‑standing tools for bore measurement, are being upgraded with digital readout technology. The self‑centering cone mechanism eliminates manual alignment, while interchangeable heads allow a single digital micrometer to serve multiple size ranges. Integrated features such as tolerance alerts,...
Mazak Open House Event Highlights Motorsports Part Production
Mazak hosted a two‑day "Discover More with Mazak" open house at its Dallas Technical Center on March 11‑12, showcasing a suite of high‑performance machines aimed at motorsports part production. Attendees saw the Variaxis i‑700T five‑axis center, QT‑Ez 12MY horizontal turning...
Meviy Batch Dimension, Tolerance Feature Supports CNC Milling Workflows
Misumi Group has enhanced its Meviy on‑demand parts service with a batch dimension and tolerance feature that lets engineers assign a single positional tolerance to all holes of a given type, accelerating CNC milling detailing and supporting tolerances as tight...
Why Setups Are the Real Bottleneck in High-Mix Machining
High‑mix machining shops are discovering that the true production bottleneck is not the cutting operation but the myriad setup tasks required for each part. Dustin Sanks of Sanks Machining quantifies the hidden work, showing that a 20‑minute tool‑load can outweigh...
DSI Merges With NexGen Solutions to Expand Manufacturing Software Expertise
Design and Software International (DSI) has merged with NexGen Solutions, operating under the DSI brand to create a larger CAD/CAM software and services organization. The combined entity expands its Autodesk partnership and adds expertise in simulation, additive manufacturing, robotics, and...
Methods Machine Tools Appoints VP of Aftermarket
Methods Machine Tools announced the appointment of Jon Casten as vice president of aftermarket, bringing over 25 years of post‑sales leadership to steer its service, parts, warranty and customer support operations. Casten previously drove on‑time delivery above 98% and lifted...
Studer Motion Meeting 2026 Emphasizes Strong Foundations
Studer, part of United Machining Solutions, reported a mixed 2025 performance with a slow first half but a strong Q4 that limited year‑over‑year sales decline. Machine orders rose, driven by 44% first‑time customers, and the service division set new maintenance...
Quoting in a Changing Industrial Landscape
Manufacturers are confronting a generational shift in industrial buyers who prioritize speed and digital tools, forcing job shops to overhaul their quoting processes. Data from Paperless Parts shows that responding to quotes within two hours yields a 90%+ win rate,...
Global Shop Solutions AI Tools Streamline Manufacturing Processes
Global Shop Solutions launched two AI‑driven modules—AI Accounts Payable Automation and AI Sales Order Entry—integrated into its ERP platform. The AP tool scans invoices, extracts key data and matches them to purchase orders, eliminating manual entry and reducing errors. The...