Schweiss Doors Becomes Part of Historic Manchester Farms
KHK Gears: Nine Decades of Japanese Precision, Now Stocked in America
AWR Standardizes CNC Machine Tending with OnRobot’s Heavy-Duty Electric Gripper
Less Rework at Mold and Model Maker Thanks to Innovative Machine Technology From Job Shop to Digital Manufacturing Roadmap:
Schweiss Doors Becomes Part of Historic
Farms
By Jim Austin, Managing Director,
COMPANY PROFILE
Inc.
KHK Gears: Nine Decades of Japanese Precision, Now Stocked in America
How Kohara Gear Industry's market-leading KHK® brand built the world's broadest line of stock metric gears — and why its U.S. subsidiary has become a go-to source for North American machine builders.
AWR Standardizes CNC Machine Tending with OnRobot’s Heavy-Duty Electric Gripper
Large stroke, high payload, and digital force control help simplify CNC lathe tending changeovers for high-mix manufacturers.
MACHINES
Less Rework at Mold and Model Maker Thanks to Innovative Machine Technology
Schröter has relied on Zimmermann portal milling machines for decades. During the COVID-related downturn, the company invested in a newly developed five-axis FZP32 portal milling machine designed for greater accuracy, stability, productivity, and energy efficiency.
&
From Job Shop to Digital Manufacturing Roadmap: How Catamount Machine Works
Ergonomic lifting solutions for tight spaces and real-world applications
•
• Improve acces in tight confined spaces
• Fast, practical solutions for real-world applications
40%
Have a lifting challenge? Lets solve it.
Practical Progress on the Shop Floor
Manufacturers are not looking for noise. They are looking for improvements that make daily operations more reliable, more productive, and easier to manage.
That focus runs through this quarter’s issue of Industrial Machinery Digest Quarterly In robotics and integrations, we look at how Automation Within Reach is simplifying CNC machine tending with flexible electric gripping technology. In machines, Schröter’s investment in Zimmermann portal milling shows how stability, accuracy, and long-term planning can reduce rework and prepare a shop for future demand.
Our software coverage follows Catamount Machine Works, a small shop using ERP, cybersecurity, inspection software, automation, and vendor partnerships to build a smarter manufacturing roadmap. The lesson is clear: digital transformation does not have to happen all at once. It works best when each step solves a real problem.
That same mindset appears in our case study coverage, where Manchester Farms shows how practical equipment decisions support long-term operations. Whether on a family farm or a machine shop floor, dependable systems help people keep working safely, efficiently, and with confidence.
Across Industry News and Product Showcase, readers will also find new equipment, controls, tooling, filtration, material handling, AI-enabled systems, and shop-floor technologies designed to improve performance where it matters most.
Manufacturing continues to move forward through disciplined investment, trusted partners, and practical innovation. Each story in this issue reflects the same idea: progress is strongest when it is grounded in real-world needs and built to last.
Thank you for reading and for continuing to build the future of American manufacturing.
Thank you for being part of our community.
William Strickland
William Strickland Publisher, IMDQ
North America’s Manufacturing Resource for Industry Professionals Since 1986
William C. Strickland III, Publisher william.strickland@indmacdig.com 800-366-0676 ext. 103 | Fax: 866-826-5918
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INDUSTRY NEWS
ALMCO Spotlights Integrated Parts Finishing and Washing at IMTS 2026
ALMCO will showcase its PW12 multi-stage inline parts washing system at IMTS 2026 in booth #338009, highlighting continuous flow-through wash, rinse, and blow-off capabilities for high-volume parts processing. The PW12 will be displayed alongside ALMCO’s SBB-8 round bowl finishing machine, an 8-cubic-foot Spiral Bottom Bowl system designed for efficient batch finishing, part/media separation, and automated discharge.
Together, the finishing and washing technologies demonstrate an integrated approach to reducing manual handling, improving throughput, and supporting more predictable production scheduling. ALMCO will exhibit alongside Mass Finishing, Inc. and Jorgensen Conveyor & Filtration Solutions under parent company Innovance.
For more information: visit www.almco.com.
Beckhoff Industrial PCs Now Available with Intel® Core™ Series 2 Processors
Beckhoff is expanding performance options for several Industrial PC lines by integrating optional Intel® Core™ Series 2 processors into the C6040 ultra-compact IPC, C6640, C6650, and C6675 control cabinet IPCs, and C5240 19-inch slide-in IPCs. The processor upgrade supports demanding automation, AI, machine vision, and real-time industrial workloads.
The Intel Core Series 2 processor family offers up to 12 performance cores, with up to 4 GHz base clock and 5.9 GHz turbo frequency. Beckhoff says the platform is suited for applications requiring high single-thread performance, complex motion control, advanced HMI, machine learning, and highly parallelized computing tasks.
For more information: visit www.beckhoff.com.
CERATIZIT Appoints Dones as Sales Director of Northern U.S. & Canada
CERATIZIT USA has appointed Chris Dones as Sales Director, Northern U.S. & Canada. Dones brings more than 25 years of industry experience, including a background in CNC programming, machining applications, technical sales, customer support, and account management.
In his new role, Dones will oversee regional sales teams and support strategic initiatives across Northern U.S. and Canada. His responsibilities include strengthening customer and distributor relationships and helping manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and other industries apply CERATIZIT cutting tool solutions.
For more information: visit www.ceratizit.com.
CERATIZIT Names Frost as Technical Sales Engineer to Support Midwest Customers
CERATIZIT USA has named Mark Frost as a Technical Sales Engineer for its Midwest cutting tool team. Frost brings 33 years of metalworking experience, including hands-on machining knowledge, international milling training, distribution support, direct sales, and sourcing experience with global manufacturing partners.
Frost will support customers with practical tooling recommendations and application strategies designed to improve machining performance. His role also supports CERATIZIT’s broader commitment to quality, sustainability, and supply chain security through its vertically integrated tungsten supply network.
For more information: visit www.ceratizit.com.
IMTS Industrial AI Conference
The IMTS Industrial AI Conference will take place Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Room S401 of the South Building. The one-day program is designed for manufacturers looking for practical,
factory-floor applications of AI, including predictive maintenance, quality, edge versus cloud deployment, and machine-learning-ready data.
The conference will guide attendees through identifying high-value AI opportunities, evaluating data readiness, and choosing between quick-ROI projects and longer-term capability-building initiatives. Programming was developed in collaboration with Dr. Jay Lee and the University of Maryland Center for Industrial AI, with sessions geared toward plant leaders, operations, quality, maintenance, engineering, and digital/IT teams.
For more information: visit www.imts.com.
Wall Colmonoy Expands Vacuum Brazing Capacity with New Ipsen Furnaces
Wall Colmonoy Corporation is expanding its vacuum heat-treating capabilities with new Ipsen TITAN H6 vacuum furnaces at its Oklahoma City and Cincinnati facilities. The Oklahoma City site, which manufactures heat exchangers and components for aerospace and defense, recently installed a second TITAN H6 2-bar vacuum furnace.
The furnace includes a 36" x 48" x 36" graphite hot zone, 3,000-pound load capacity, operating temperatures up to 2,400 °F, and ±10 °F temperature uniformity. The investment supports growing demand for high-vacuum brazing capacity and strengthens Wall Colmonoy’s heat-treating and brazing capabilities across its operations.
For more information: visit www.wallcolmonoy.com.
KUKA to Highlight Advanced Robotics for Machine Tool Tending, Handling, and Milling at IMTS 2026
KUKA Robotics will showcase robotic automation solutions for machine tool tending, material handling, and robotic milling at IMTS 2026, Sept. 14-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Visitors to booth #236807 in the North Building will see live demonstrations featuring industrial robots, autonomous mobile platforms, CNC machine tool partners, and integrated automation technologies.
Demonstrations will include robotic machine tending with EMAG, Matsuura, and SYIL machines; bin picking and mobile automation using MAIROFlex Compact 8 and KUKA’s KMP 600P; high-payload material handling and robotic
finishing with KR TITAN and KR FORTEC MT robots; and high-precision robotic milling with the KR QUANTEC nano. KUKA will also participate in a presentation with Siemens on CNC-driven robotics and simplified shop floor automation.
For more information: visit www.kuka.com.
Miura America Strengthens Rep Network at Annual Representative Meeting
Miura America recently brought together its representative network in Savannah, Georgia, for its Annual Representative Meeting, focused on alignment, collaboration, customer support, and continued growth. The meeting gave Miura department managers and representative companies an opportunity to discuss annual plans, market trends, project opportunities, and best practices for supporting Miura systems.
The event included an awards celebration recognizing top-performing representatives. Boiler Masters, Inc. received the 2026 President’s Cup, along with honors for Most Horsepower Sold and Most Units Sold. Burner Combustion Systems was recognized for Most Chemical BOILERMATE® Sold, and Koch Applied Solutions was honored for Most Contracts Miura Care™ Sold. Miura also welcomed Thermal Product Solutions and Patriot Boiler as new representative companies.
For more information: visit www.miuraboiler.com.
MODEX 2026 Sets New Record
MODEX 2026 concluded as the event’s most successful edition to date, setting records for attendance, exhibition space, and global participation. Sponsored by MHI, the show welcomed 50,000 registered visitors from every U.S. state and 132 countries, along with 1,057 exhibitors across 630,000 net square feet.
The event featured 189 educational sessions, four keynote presentations, and demonstrations covering AI-driven planning, warehouse automation, robotics, real-time visibility, and sustainable logistics. MHI also
announced winners of the 2026 MHI Innovation Awards, recognizing ProGlove, Dexory, Anyware Robotics Inc., and Flux Power, while Fork Mule received the 2026 MHI StartUp Award.
For more information: visit www.modexshow.com.
Platinum Tooling to Showcase Swiss-Style Machine Tooling at IMTS 2026
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. will display tooling solutions for Swiss CNC lathes at IMTS 2026 in booth #432201. The company, exclusive importer of Heimatec live tools and angle heads, will showcase live tooling, angle heads, and speed multipliers for Swiss-style machines from brands including Citizen, Star, and Tsugami.
Heavy Gauge Steel Design
Press Bed bolted on, not welded, to prevent distortion.
Large press bed to accommodate a variety of tooling other than just punching.
Pump, motor, valve and reservoir are all easily accessible for maintenance.
Large rectangular tubes used at base of machine to give safe, instant portability.
The display will include speed multipliers with gear ratios of 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4, reaching maximum speeds up to 48,000 rpm. Platinum Tooling will also highlight Hommel + Keller QUICK® knurling and marking tools, along with Tecnicrafts and Dunner collets and guide bushings for Swiss machine applications.
For more information: visit www.platinumtooling.com.
Platinum Tooling Releases New Product Catalog
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. has released a new product catalog covering its portfolio of live tools, angle heads, Swiss machine products, knurling and marking tools, speed increasers, guide bushings, and broaching tools. The company represents international suppliers including Heimatec, Tecnicrafts, Henninger, Hommel + Keller, Dunner, and REV.
The catalog includes precision tooling for Swiss-type CNC lathes, live tool lathes, drilling, tapping, milling, knurling, marking, broaching, and high-speed machining applications. Platinum Tooling’s product lines support manufacturers seeking precision, productivity, and application flexibility across a wide range of machine tool platforms.
For more information: visit www.platinumtooling.com.
Haddy Scales AI-Enabled Adaptive Microfactories with Siemens Xcelerator
Siemens announced that Haddy, a U.S.-based additive manufacturing company, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator open digital business platform to scale local
additive manufacturing using circular materials. Haddy produces large-format components for industries including furniture, marine, and defense using robotic additive manufacturing and recyclable or biodegradable materials.
Through Siemens Xcelerator, Haddy connects product design, manufacturing planning, automation, and shop-floor execution through a digital thread. The company uses Siemens software including Designcenter™, Teamcenter®, SINUMERIK, Simcenter™ Optistruct®, and NX™ X Manufacturing to support repeatable robotic additive production across its network of AI-enabled microfactories.
For more information: visit www.siemens.com.
Schweiss Doors Becomes Part of Historic Manchester Farms
By Jim Austin, Managing Director, Targeted Content Inc.
To keep a family farm running successfully for more than 165 years, you must be true caretakers of the land, plan for the future, and remain flexible when a season takes an unexpected turn. The Manchester family, owners of sixth-generation Manchester Farms in west central Ohio, understand that better than anyone, having farmed their land since 1858.
“We’ve got a legacy to uphold,” says Caleb Wilson, who, along with his wife, Karen Manchester, now manages the farm after Karen’s parents stepped back from day-to-day operations. “Generations before have done great things and kept the farm in the family. We aim to be good stewards of the land and the resources God’s given us.”
Sometimes the farm requires major changes, such as planting a different crop or exploring a new market at harvest. Other times, the challenge is simpler, like deciding what to do when a piece of equipment takes out an ag shop door. When faced with that problem, Wilson found the answer with Schweiss Doors.
The shop had been part of the farm since the late 1990s and included two bifold doors. One of those bifolds was badly damaged when a tractor and grain cart, with its grain auger fully extended, smashed into the door. Wilson called Elgin Service Center, the company that originally erected the building and installed the doors, to inspect the damage.
“They came out and looked at it and said it’ll never close right,” Wilson says. “The insurance company agreed to total the door and just reimburse us for what a new door was.”
With the insurance money in hand, Wilson began looking for a replacement. He prefers the bifold door design over the hydraulic one-piece option that is also popular for buildings such as ag shops and aviation hangars. His main reason is clearance. A hydraulic door swings outward as it rises, meaning a clear space the full length of the door must be left open in front of the building. With a bifold door, the clear space is much smaller because the door lifts directly up and folds in half.
While the former bifold door on the Manchester ag shop had performed well, it was an older model that used metal cables to lift the door. Wilson liked the fabric liftstraps on the Schweiss door, believing they would operate better over time and require less maintenance. The cost of the Schweiss door was also comparable to other bifold brands.
What really sold Wilson on Schweiss Doors was the delivery time.
“The Schweiss door was available within six to eight weeks, while the other company was six months. Their lead time was just really long,” Wilson says. “I didn’t want to wait.”
Wilson ordered a new bifold door measuring 45 feet wide by 15 feet tall, with the automatic strap latch and
remotes from Schweiss Doors. He also added two windows to the door to provide much-needed natural light.
“It was dark in there before, and now we see daylight when you’re working in the shop, even in wintertime,” Wilson says. “It’s nice to have some fresh daylight. It’s a mood thing, if nothing else.”
Wilson has also grown to appreciate how the door starts and stops. While the door can be set up for automatic open and close, that setup requires certain safety features, such as photo eye sensors or a door base safety edge. Manchester Farms does not have those extra features, so the door requires someone to be present at the controls, maintaining constant pressure on the open or close button.
Wilson already knows what can happen when a door and a piece of farm equipment come into conflict, so he likes that someone must always watch as the door operates.
“It is a safety feature that keeps us from shutting the door on something,” Wilson says. “It slows you down for a minute.”
The shop building did require modifications so the new bifold door would fit smoothly into the opening. Wilson says the header had to be raised, but once that was completed, the door mounted easily and was clad in metal siding like the rest of the building.
The hope is to one day clad the interior of the door as well, but Wilson says that is a project for another day. The to-do list on a farm never seems to end or get shorter, and with 15 years under his belt, Wilson has already been part of new developments and innovations at Manchester Farms.
The farm has always grown crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat, yet over the years, the Manchesters — and now Wilson — have explored different varieties and seed types in the fields, all with the goal of increasing revenue and keeping the farm on stable financial footing. Over the decades, Manchester Farms has grown popcorn, barley, specialty grains, hay, and other niche crops. The farm has also tried its hand at genetically modified organisms, non-GMO crops, organic production, and identity preservation.
Manchester Farms’ history of adaptability and inventiveness is hard to miss. One only has to look at its magnificent round barn. Built in 1908 by Horace Duncan, the J.H. Manchester Round Barn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has put Manchester Farms on the map for history, agriculture, and barn lovers alike.
The round barn was built mostly to house livestock and horses and to store hay. Proponents of round barns say the design made feeding animals more efficient, made it easier to move silage, and was less expensive to build than a rectangular barn. Today, the round barn stands in memory
and honor of generations of Manchesters who, like their descendants, were not afraid to try new things.
“Lots of people drive down this lane just to look at the barn,” Wilson says. “It’s sort of fun to talk to them and say hello. I’ve met some really good people that have stopped in and seen our barn. One hundred years later, and in some ways, the barn is kind of a member of the family.”
While the round barn is no longer used on a regular basis, the family has worked to keep it in good shape and ensure it continues to stand strong for generations to come. The work the family has put into the round barn — and even the ag shop — are examples of the care, passion, and resourcefulness the family continues to put into Manchester Farms.
“We’ve got an incredible resource in our agriculture here in this country,” Wilson says. “We want to be part of that, to continue feeding the country and the world.”
ABOUT SCHWEISS DOORS
Schweiss Doors is the premier manufacturer of hydraulic and bifold liftstrap doors. Doors are custom made to any size for any type of new or existing building for architects and builders determined to do amazing things with their buildings, including the doors. Schweiss also offers a cable-to-liftstrap conversion package.
INDIVIDUALLY SERIAL NUMBERED FOR BETTER TRACEABILITY ORDERS SHIPPED SAME DAY
Pivots180o
Pivots 180o
Sw s 360 Side Load Hoist Rings
Hoist Ring kits
Drop Forged Hoist Rings
Mold Handler™ Swivel & Pivot Hoist Rings
Forged Swivel Hoist Rings
Round Base Swivel & Pivot Hoist Rings
Forged Street Plate™ Swivel Hoist Rings
KHK Gears: Nine Decades of Japanese Precision, Now Stocked in America
How Kohara Gear Industry's market-leading KHK® brand built the world's broadest line of stock metric gears — and why its u. s . subsidiary has become a go-to source for north american machine builders.
Few components are as fundamental to a machine as the gear, and few names in metric gearing carry the reach of KHK. Since 1935, Kohara Gear Industry Co., Ltd. has built its reputation in Kawaguchi, Japan, on a single, deceptively simple promise: that an engineer should be able to find the exact gear a design calls for — already made, already in stock, and ready to ship. Ninety years on, that promise has grown into the world's most extensive catalog of configurable stock metric gears, and since 2015 it has had a dedicated home on this side of the Pacific.
A Catalog Built for the Designer
The scale of KHK's stock program is what sets the company apart. The current catalog spans approximately 200 styles of metric gearing in more than 27,000 configurations — a range deep enough that most power-transmission designs can be specified from off-the-shelf parts rather than waiting on custom cutting. The line covers virtually every gear type a shop is likely to need: spur, helical and internal ring gears; gear racks and circular-pitch racks and pinions; miter, bevel and screw gears; and a full complement of worm gear pairs and gearboxes.
Materials are matched to the application rather than the other way around. Worms are offered in carbon steel (S45C), Chromalloy steel (SCM415) and stainless steel (SUS303), while mating worm wheels are available in cast iron (FC200), nonferrous metals such as phosphor bronze and aluminum bronze, and engineering plastics including MC901 nylon. The same breadth runs through the broader catalog, giving designers a single source whether a project calls for the strength of alloy steel, the corrosion resistance of stainless, or the quiet, low-weight running of a polymer gear.
Stock That Ships, Modifications That Don't Wait
What distinguishes KHK is not only how many gears it makes, but how many are ready to go. Through KHK USA Inc., the company stocks roughly 4,500 of the 15,000 SKUs produced by Kohara Gear in its U.S. warehouse, putting same-cycle availability within reach of North American customers who once had to plan around overseas lead times.
KHK has also built secondary machining into the model. Most worm wheels and many worms can be
modified — opening the bore, adding keyways or tapped holes, reducing the hub diameter or altering the shaft — and KHK USA stocks a large selection of parts on which those operations have already been completed. The result is a catalog gear that arrives ready to install, closing much of the gap between off-the-shelf convenience and made-to-order fit.
That engineering depth shows up in specialty products as well. Unique to KHK is its Duplex Worm and Worm Wheel pair, which uses a worm with a variable pitch and a mating wheel. Because the pitch changes along the worm's length, the worm can be shifted axially to take up and eliminate backlash in the pair — a meaningful advantage in positioning and indexing applications where precision is non-negotiable. Across the worm gear line, KHK's reputation rests on quiet operation and smooth power transmission, particularly in applications that demand a large speed reduction within a compact envelope.
An American Subsidiary, Built for Direct Service
For its first eight decades, KHK reached the U.S. market through distribution. That changed on July 1, 2015, when the company established KHK USA Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary in Mineola, New York, bringing direct sales, stock and technical support closer to the customers who rely on it. The move reflected a broader investment in quality and continuity — the same philosophy that led KHK to completely rebuild its Kawaguchi headquarters and factory in 2005 to the latest earthquake standards, and that today is reflected in the company's ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications.
Tools for the Engineer
KHK has long treated technical support as part of the product. Beyond the catalog, the company offers free 3D CAD models for download, a free printed catalog and a complete PDF edition, along with the gear technical resources that have made KHK a reference point for engineers learning gear design. For a component that has to mesh perfectly the first time, that combination of selection, stock and support is the quiet reason KHK gears keep turning up inside North American machines. For more information: visit www.khkgears.us.
AWR Standardizes CNC Machine Tending with OnRobot’s Heavy-Duty Electric Gripper
l arge stroke, high payload, and digital force control help simplify CnC lathe tending changeovers for high-mix manufacturers.
In high-mix, low-volume manufacturing, the ability to move quickly between different part sizes can have a direct impact on uptime, labor efficiency, and profitability. For years, many machine shops have relied on pneumatic grippers that, while functional, often lack the intelligence and adaptability required for today’s automation demands.
Automation Within Reach (AWR, formerly Gosiger Automation), a provider of accessible CNC automation, recognized that to better support its customers, it needed to move beyond the mechanical limitations of traditional pneumatic systems.
AWR replaced six different pneumatic grippers with OnRobot’s 3FG25 gripper as standard end-of-arm tooling for its next-generation lathe tending cells. With its large stroke, high payload, and ability to control force and
positioning digitally, the electric three-finger gripper addresses one of the most common challenges for high-mix manufacturers: manually adjusting grippers every time a new part size enters production.
To further maximize throughput, AWR developed a dual-tending configuration using two 3FG25 grippers. The setup enables the robot to pick a finished part and place a blank in a single cycle, reducing production time and helping increase return on investment.
The Challenge: The Limits of Pneumatic “All-orNothing” Grip
Prior to standardizing with OnRobot, AWR used pneumatic grippers for tending lathes in CNC cells. For customers producing many different part numbers in limited quantities, those grippers created recurring challenges.
“Pneumatic grippers typically offered an ‘all-ornothing’ stroke and force application, lacked finger position feedback, and required complex, custom fingers to prevent damaging delicate parts,” says Tyler This, Mechanical Product Design Engineer for Automation Within Reach.
Each time a manufacturer switched to a different part size, mechanical adjustments or entirely new grippers were often required. That stalled production and added labor costs. The reliance on pneumatic systems also meant customers had to manage issues such as air pressure loss.
“Customer complaints about changeover and pressure loss were major factors in pursuing OnRobot grippers,” This says.
The Solution: A Versatile, Intelligent Electric Standard
AWR selected the 3FG25 gripper for its high payload capacity, compact size, and ability to control gripping force and position digitally. Unlike pneumatic alternatives, the 3FG25 can handle different parts without mechanical adjustment when part sizes change. Stroke and force can be programmed precisely for each unique part.
The move to electric grippers also simplified the overall automation cell. By eliminating the need for peripheral equipment such as solenoids and external air lines, AWR reduced the overall part count while making the systems easier to service and maintain.
“AWR chose OnRobot’s 3FG25 gripper as the standard for the Next Generation of lathe tending products because of its small size, low weight, payload, built-in force monitoring/adjustment, and position feedback, as well as its reliability and myriad other benefits over similarly rated pneumatic grippers,” This says.
With the 3FG25, workpieces are automatically centered, providing a strong, stable grip and precise placement in machine chucks. The gripper can handle payloads up to 25 kg, or 55 lbs., with a fully adjustable gripping stroke of 137 mm and a fully adjustable gripping force from 50 to 450 N.
The 3FG25 supports both external and internal gripping modes, with intelligent grip feedback that automatically detects when a part has been successfully gripped. Before implementing the switch, AWR put the gripper through testing for high payload, reach, and part drooping.
“When we had the gripper hold long parts parallel to the floor, we saw little to no drooping,” This says. “The performance exceeded expectations.”
Impact: Precision, Reliability, and Increased ROI
The shift to OnRobot has delivered immediate operational benefits. AWR reports better part picking and less marking of parts, directly improving quality for customers.
For manufacturers, the most significant benefit is the flexibility provided by the 3FG25. With multiple part-contact tooling options, such as knurled surfaces or rubber sleeves, and the ability to handle various diameters without mechanical intervention, AWR says the return on investment has seen a notable increase.
“No other gripper on the market has the same payload, ease of use, or functionality in a reasonable size,” This says.
ABOUT AUTOMATION WITHIN REACH (AWR)
Automation Within Reach (AWR) delivers accessible and efficient CNC machine tending automation solutions to manufacturers. Proudly made in America, AWR’s standard solutions, pre-engineered cells, and custom automation integrations empower businesses to optimize workflows, reduce labor costs, and achieve consistent part quality. With a commitment to innovation and customer success, AWR makes automation accessible to manufacturers.
For more information, visit www.automationwithinreach.com.
ABOUT ONROBOT
OnRobot is the global leader in collaborative applications, making industrial automation accessible, flexible, and cost-effective for manufacturers of all sizes. With headquarters in Odense, Denmark, offices around the world, and a network of more than 700 distribution and integration partners, OnRobot is focused on eliminating complexity and delivering collaborative automation that works straight out of the box.
At the heart of its offerings is a growing portfolio of Off-The-Shelf Solutions powered by D:PLOY, the industry’s first automated application deployment platform. These pre-fabricated solutions enable same-day installation, fast changeovers, and require no programming expertise, allowing manufacturers to automate high-mix tasks such as palletizing and machine tending in just a few hours.
Complementing these solutions, OnRobot provides a comprehensive range of Plug & Produce tools, including grippers, vision systems, sensors, and screwdrivers, all designed to work seamlessly across leading robot brands through the company’s unified “One System, Zero Complexity” platform. Whether the application is palletizing, CNC machine tending, packaging, transferring, sanding, or screwdriving, OnRobot helps businesses take control of their automation journey with solutions designed to scale, adapt, and deliver measurable results.
For more information, visit www.onrobot.com.
Less Rework at Mold and Model Maker Thanks to Innovative Machine Technology
schröter has relied on Zimmermann portal milling machines for decades. during the CoVIdrelated downturn, the company invested in a newly developed five-axis fZp32 portal milling machine designed for greater accuracy, stability, productivity, and energy efficiency.
For processing companies, the right response to a crisis is not always obvious. Some react by cutting costs and staff. But when demand returns, they may not be prepared for the next rush of orders.
That was the situation facing Schröter Modell- und Formenbau GmbH in Oberpframmern, near Munich, Bavaria. In November 2021, as the pandemic continued to affect order volume and forced the company to reduce hours, Managing Director Maximilian Lörzel had to decide whether to pull back or prepare for the future.
“Many think short-term, by reducing their costs and staff. When the industry booms again, they are not prepared for a rush in incoming orders and usually need to reject projects because there is simply no capacity,” Lörzel says. “No one could assess the situation, but we knew at some point the crisis would be over. We wanted to be prepared for that.”
At a time when many companies were holding back, Lörzel chose to invest in a new Zimmermann Series FZP32 portal milling machine, with a working range of 7,000 x 3,500 x 2,500 mm.
“It was certainly a risk, but also a clear signal for the future, to our customers and our employees,” he says.
The decision continued a long relationship between Schröter and F. Zimmermann GmbH. Schröter has relied on Zimmermann portal milling machines for decades, and the newly developed five-axis FZP32 brings the company a major step forward. Its key feature is a thermosymmetrical structure with a center-guided Z-axis. The symmetrical design and innovative guide arrangement increase stability while reducing weight, helping make the machine more dynamic, productive, and energy efficient.
Building on a Legacy of Model and Mold Making
Schröter Modell- und Formenbau was founded in Munich in 1963 by Lörzel’s uncle, Bruno Schröter. Lörzel took over the business in the early 1990s, and the company has grown steadily since then.
Today, Schröter manufactures parts and molds for prototypes, not production runs. Its work includes foundry and design models, sheet metal forming tools made of aluminum or plastic, and the processing of softer materials such as foam, clay, and ureol. The company also processes carbon fiber and steel.
About 50 percent of Schröter’s customers come from the automotive industry, including BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and Porsche. By 2022, the company had milled nearly 70 full-scale models.
Still, Lörzel says the company does not want to depend too heavily on one market. Diversification remains important. Nearly 40 percent of orders now come from the aerospace industry, and medical technology is another growing field. In that sector, Lörzel and his 40 employees produce complex prototypes for applications such as computer tomographs and surgical robots.
Stable, Fast, and Flexible Machines
When asked what makes Schröter successful, Lörzel points first to the people.
“We have highly qualified employees who are able to both program and operate the machines,” he says. “We train ourselves and offer the complete production from a single source.”
For design and five-axis NC programming, Schröter relies on Catia and Tebis software in combination with Zimmermann milling machines. The team has grown up with the Zimmermann systems, and Lörzel values their stability, speed, flexibility, precision, and reliability.
“The parts produced barely or never need to be reworked after removal from the machine, depending
on the work time,” Lörzel says. “This alone saves us considerable time and money.”
Schröter invested in its first Zimmermann milling center in 1991. Today, five Zimmermann systems of different sizes are located at the company’s Oberpframmern facility — about as many as the shop can accommodate.
Because Schröter relies on machines from the same manufacturer, the company can follow a common-parts strategy. If a system fails, an employee can move the component to another machine of suitable size during individual part production. For that reason, all Zimmermann mills at Schröter are equipped with the same Heidenhain CNC controller, comparable milling heads, and Tebis simulation software.
Machinery Continuously Renewed
Over 30 years, Schröter has replaced four Zimmermann machines with newer versions. The new FZP32 marks the fifth replacement and the company’s ninth Zimmermann machine.
“The old FZ37 series, which we are now taking out of production in Oberpframmern, is 18 years old,” Lörzel says. “It is still running reliably, but due to age, small signs of wear occur again and again. Sometimes it was a defective power supply, sometimes the graphics card.”
With the new FZP32, Schröter keeps the same working envelope while gaining significantly improved performance. Parts such as vehicle models can be completely machined from five sides without reclamping.
The modular design of the machine also allows users to consider several options, including automation solutions such as shuttle tables, a positionable rotary table, dust extraction bells, or an individualized tool clamping system.
Most importantly for Schröter, however, the new portal milling machine improves dimensional accuracy.
“This is due to its thermosymmetrical structure,” says Frieder Gänzle, managing director of F. Zimmermann GmbH.
Thermosymmetry for More Precision
Changing environmental temperatures and process heat inevitably influence machine geometry in conventional portal mill designs. Zimmermann’s thermosymmetrical structure is designed so thermal influences can be absorbed, to a significant extent, by the machine structure itself.
“For this purpose, we designed and arranged structural and drive components, guides, and other accuracydetermining components intelligently for the machines in our newly developed portfolio,” Gänzle says. “The structure can thus expand predictably in non-critical directions.”
The centrally guided Z-slide of the portal, designed in a double-bridge construction, has an octagonal cross-section for added stability. With this setup, the machine achieves very high rigidity. By preventing unilateral heating, the design greatly improves accuracy and reduces the effect of error-influencing variables.
Because the structure generates fewer lever forces than a serial structure with a classic guide arrangement, Zimmermann can build the FZP rigidly. The octagonal Z-slide is more stable while maintaining a slimmer profile. Less mass needs to be moved, which allows the machine to work faster and more dynamically. That improves productivity while requiring less energy.
The thermosymmetrical structure also eliminates the need for complex cooling circuits, which has a positive effect on operating costs.
Smart Milling
In Zimmermann’s shop in Neuhausen, the FZP was set up for commissioning when Gänzle pointed to another key part of the machine: the milling head.
“The Zimmermann VH10 is in use here,” he says. “The fork head is designed in monoblock versions made of cast iron. It has a compact design, achieves high clamping forces, and thus enables stable component machining.”
Zimmermann can optionally equip the VH10 with process cooling using cooling lubricants or minimum quantity lubrication. To reduce throughput times, a powerful spindle with 34 kW and a maximum speed of 24,000 rpm is installed as standard. The machine can also be equipped with a dust extraction bell around the milling tool.
For customers, the interfering contour of the entire Z-axis is also important. Along with high power density, Zimmermann focused heavily on a slim-line design during development. The closer the operator can move the milling head to the part, the shorter the tools can be — allowing more material to be removed.
This concept helped convince Lörzel.
“Especially when we run the machine for seven hours at a time, we need to make sure that it remains
temperature-stable over this long period of time,” he says.
That stability becomes even more important on weekends, when running times can reach up to 40 hours. The system may mill one side of a vehicle and then the other. If long running times create even a small temperature imbalance, a small step can appear on the rear side of the model. With the new thermostable machine, rework is almost completely eliminated.
The new machine also reduces the programming effort required in advance, because less attention has to be paid to compensating for the machine’s thermal behavior.
At Schröter’s Oberpframmern facility, the FZP is being placed on the foundation of the old machine, which determined the size of the system. The existing machine table base is also being used. Due to tight space conditions, the control and media cabinets are placed on a pedestal.
Investment Pays Off
Schröter’s investment in the new FZP was supported by the German federal government during a time of crisis. The program’s goal was to help make the German economy, particularly medium-sized companies, competitive again with more modern technology.
“Of course, that made the decision easier for us,” Lörzel says. “And we knew it would be on our to-do list for the next three to five years.”
He expects the FZP to pay for itself in about eight years. While no one can predict exactly what the market will look like several years from now, Lörzel says order volume has been rising steadily again since summer 2022.
Schröter also recently won two new customers from the aviation and medical technology markets in the United States. For Lörzel, that demand is a reminder that German quality remains valued worldwide.
The new FZP32 will be used in part to mill components for helicopters and airplanes, including work for companies such as Airbus. Rolls Royce Triebwerkstechnik in Berlin has also recently become one of Schröter’s customers. Typical components include engine covers that must be milled with high precision and, if possible, without offsets.
“With the current order situation, we expect 60 to 70 models for complete cars per year in the automotive industry,” Lörzel says. “We also use the new FZP32 for this purpose, as well.”
Schröter is planning two-shift utilization of the new system and may add an untended shift depending on the range of parts. That would result in about 3,500 to 4,000 operating hours per year.
specialists can connect to the system immediately and support the resolution.
One major challenge remains: removing the old FZ37 and installing the new FZP32.
“When we built our shop in 2005, the old FZ37 was the first machine in the room — so it’s in the back,” Lörzel says. “The other four milling centers are located in front of it.”
Dismantling the old system and installing the new one will require the team to proceed carefully. But for Lörzel and his employees, that kind of challenge is also part of the work.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
F. Zimmermann GmbH, based in Neuhausen a.d.F. in Germany, is one of the world’s leading high-tech suppliers of large-format portal milling machines. Its machines are characterized by high accuracy, large working envelopes, robust dynamics, and strong cutting performance.
Founded in 1933 by Friedrich Zimmermann, the company now has more than 140 employees worldwide. Its product range is built around one central goal: to provide the right solution for each customer and help ensure a high level of cost-effectiveness. “Quality made in Germany” remains the company’s promise. Zimmermann machines are used worldwide in the automotive, aerospace, and mechanical engineering sectors.
For more information, visit www.zimmermann-inc.com.
Service Makes the Difference
For nearly 30 years, Lörzel has valued not only Zimmermann machines, but also the company’s service.
“We get an answer immediately, and that makes a big difference in our bottom line,” he says.
All Schröter systems are networked online with Zimmermann in Neuhausen. If a problem arises that Schröter’s team cannot solve on its own, Zimmermann
From Job Shop to Digital Manufacturing Roadmap:
How Catamount Machine Works Built a Smarter Small-Shop Model
a florida machine shop shows how disciplined planning, software, cybersecurity, automation, and vendor partnerships can help small manufacturers build a more scalable, data-driven operation.
For many small and midsized machine shops, digital transformation can sound like a phrase built for global OEMs, not a practical roadmap for a 10-person operation. Catamount Machine Works offers a different view. Under the leadership of owner and CEO
Chris Basgall, the Plant City, Florida, shop has shown how disciplined planning, carefully selected software, automation, cybersecurity, and vendor partnerships can turn a traditional job shop into a more scalable, data-driven manufacturing business.
Basgall’s path to manufacturing leadership was not conventional. Before entering the industrial world, he earned a music degree, taught in public schools, and worked professionally as a saxophonist. He later earned an MBA in supply chain management and built a career in global supply chain leadership, including senior executive experience in telecommunications. That background helps explain why he approached Catamount not simply as a machine shop, but as a system that needed structure, process visibility, and long-term investment discipline.
When Basgall purchased Catamount Machine Works in 2020, he saw a company with valuable fundamentals: a reputation for tight-tolerance work, available space for expansion, and the opportunity to modernize. The shop, however, still had many of the constraints common to smaller operations. Paper records, disconnected processes, limited automation, and underdeveloped digital infrastructure created barriers to growth.
Basgall’s response was to build a phased roadmap rather than chase isolated improvements.
Building the Roadmap
The plan began with the basics. The first three years focused on employee health, information technology, automation, and certifications. The next stage, years four and five, centered on scaling the business for growth. The longer-term phase, covering years six through 10, includes the development of a proprietary product line.
That staged approach is important because it recognizes a reality many shops face: even the right technology can fail if it is adopted before the organization has the funding, people, processes, and maturity to use it well.
Today, Catamount is AS9100 certified, ITAR registered, and CMMC 2.0 compliant. It serves aerospace, defense, industrial repair, commercial, automotive, marine, and other markets. Its capabilities include 5-axis milling, lathe work, wire EDM, and robotic machining cells.
Just as important, its technology investments are tied to specific business goals: improving standardization, increasing machine utilization, protecting sensitive customer data, reducing administrative burden, and creating capacity without simply adding labor.
Starting with the Basics: Digital Job Access
One of the shop’s earliest digital steps was also one of its most accessible. Catamount scanned 15 years of paper files, installed a server, and placed computers with dual monitors at every workstation.
data visible and usable across the floor.
Cybersecurity
Becomes Part of the Shop Floor
Security quickly became part of the same conversation. For a shop pursuing aerospace and defense work, digital access must be paired with controlled access.
Catamount worked with Northern Technologies Group for IT support and implemented Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High. Combined with Fortinet infrastructure, the system supports the security expectations associated with defense contracting and NIST SP 800-171 requirements.
The investment reflects a broader shift in manufacturing: cybersecurity is no longer a back-office concern. It is increasingly tied to eligibility for high-value work.
ERP as a Foundation for Growth
The next major piece of Catamount’s transformation was enterprise resource planning. For its first 15 years, the company operated without a formal ERP system. Basgall initially built his own system, but eventually determined that the business needed a more complete platform.
After evaluating providers, Catamount chose ProShop ERP. The system connects estimating, quoting, production, purchase orders, work orders, invoicing, and quality documentation within an environment suitable
That change addressed a simple but costly problem: a job might involve multiple operations, yet only one paper traveler would move through the shop. Digital access gave everyone involved in a job a way to see the information they needed when they needed it.
For small shops considering modernization, this is a useful lesson. Transformation does not have to begin with robotics or artificial intelligence. It can begin by making job
for the company’s AS9100 and CMMC requirements.
The operational gains are practical. First article inspection documentation, once a manual process that could take hours to assemble, can now be generated much faster through connected workflows. For manufacturers serving regulated or documentation-heavy markets, that matters. Administrative time is not just overhead; it can slow throughput, introduce inconsistency, and create risk during audits.
By treating ERP as part of the quality system rather than a standalone business tool, Catamount positioned it as a foundation for both growth and compliance.
Automation Expands Capacity
Automation has also been central to the shop’s growth. Catamount moved from a traditional 3- and 4-axis environment to a more capable platform by adding or upgrading eight Haas mills, including four with 5-axis capabilities. It also added three Haas Automation packages integrating VF-2SSYT mills with FANUC robots, along with a Haas ST-30SS lathe equipped with an automatic bar feeder.
These investments expanded the types of work Catamount could take on and changed the economics of production.
Before these investments, the company was largely oriented around smaller jobs. With robotic cells and longer unattended run times, Catamount can now pursue highervolume work. Basgall has reported production gains that allow the shop to move from roughly 35 production hours in a week to more than 150 hours, with some cells running around the clock for extended periods.
For a small shop, that kind of utilization can be transformative. It creates a path to compete on delivery and pricing while keeping production in the United States.
Standardizing Inspection and Quality
Documentation
Inspection and quality processes became another major focus. Catamount previously relied on manual ballooning and manual data entry for inspection reports. That created inconsistency from employee to employee and consumed hours of skilled time.
By adopting High QA software for auto-ballooning and inspection planning, the shop reduced document preparation time significantly while improving traceability. The software automatically identifies dimensions on 2D drawings, creates a bill of characteristics, and supports inspection records that show who inspected a feature, with what tool, and when.
For aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, and other precision markets, that level of traceability is increasingly essential.
The investment also illustrates a recurring theme in Catamount’s roadmap: the highest return does not always come from adding another machine. In some cases, the better investment is software that standardizes work, removes repetitive administration, and reduces error potential.
Catamount is also looking toward model-based definition tools that can extract product manufacturing information from 3D models, further reducing the burden of manual quality planning.
Letting Software Guide Inspection Strategy
Catamount’s inspection upgrade strategy followed a similar logic. During IMTS 2024, Basgall originally expected to focus on inspection equipment. After meeting with exhibitors and
evaluating options, he concluded that software should guide the strategy.
The shop upgraded its Mitutoyo CMM with Verisurf software, added a portable CMM arm, and planned additional scanning and CNC CMM capabilities. Because Verisurf can operate across multiple inspection tools and functions as a plugin inside Mastercam, the shop can reduce training friction and build a more consistent quality platform.
The Mastercam connection is particularly important because Catamount’s CAM strategy also evolved through experience. The shop had used an older version of Mastercam for years and temporarily explored another software platform. Basgall later concluded that the better decision would have been to invest in updated Mastercam capabilities earlier.
software, robotic machining, tooling management, and quality documentation. Each piece supports the same objective: make a small manufacturing business more repeatable, more secure, more productive, and more competitive.
One factor was productivity; another was security. For an ITAR-controlled environment, locally installed software and controlled data movement are major considerations. That experience underscores a point many shops learn the hard way: changing platforms can be expensive not only in license cost, but also in training time, lost familiarity, postprocessor issues, and compliance concerns.
Tooling Management Delivers Measurable Results
Tooling management provided another measurable win. As Catamount’s tooling processes became difficult to manage, the company partnered with MSC Industrial Supply for vendor-managed inventory and worked with Kennametal to evaluate cutting tool choices.
The result was a more automated tool crib, electronic reorder triggers, and a dramatic reduction in tooling inventory. Catamount reportedly reduced tooling inventory from about $400,000 to under $50,000 while avoiding the need to add a dedicated tool buyer. Kennametal tooling changes also improved machining efficiency, including significant gains on titanium work.
A Roadmap, Not a Buying Trip
The broader lesson from Catamount’s story is not that every shop needs the same vendors or the same machine mix. The lesson is that digital transformation works best as a roadmap.
As workforce constraints, compliance requirements, and reshoring pressures continue to shape manufacturing, Catamount’s experience shows that small shops do not need to wait for perfect conditions to begin. They need a plan, trusted partners, disciplined priorities, and a willingness to build the digital foundation one step at a time.
Basgall did not treat IMTS as a buying trip. He used the show to study technology, ask questions, meet partners, evaluate fit, and then make purchasing decisions after deeper follow-up. That approach helped Catamount avoid chasing novelty and instead connect each investment to the company’s long-term plan.
For IMD readers, Catamount Machine Works provides a useful case study in practical modernization. The shop’s progress spans ERP, cybersecurity, CAD/CAM, inspection
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Industrial Machinery Digest's Monthly Product Showcase features the latest from some of the manufacturing industry's top suppliers.
WANT TO BE FEATURED? Send your latest product information to editorial@indmacdig.com
Coxreels® Compact 100W Welding
Hose and 100WCL Welding Cable Hand Crank Reels
Coxreels® 100W Series welding hose reels and 100WCL Series welding cable reels are designed for compact, heavy-duty use in industrial and automotive applications, including stationary shop workstations and mobile service rigs with integrated welders or fuel gas compartments.
The 100W Welding Hose Reel features an external fluid path and full-flow dual-ported swivel that routes both gas connections from the same side of the reel. The 100WCL Welding Cable Reel includes a built-in Cable Keeper to prevent cable pigtail whip or twisting, along with self-lubricating bronze spherical bearings for rough-duty applications.
Both reel series feature a rugged 1/4” all-steel U-shaped frame, CNC-spun discs with rolled edges, direct hand crank operation, an open drum design, composite bearings, an adjustable tension brake, and Coxreels’ chip-resistant CPC™ blue powder coat finish.
For more information, visit www.coxreels.com.
Fixtureworks Offers Flex Retractable Clamping
Locator for Quick-Change Applications
Fixtureworks® offers the CP740 Flex Retractable Clamping Locator for quick-change fixturing applications that require locating and clamping in one tool-free operation. Designed for use with the CP745 locating receiver, the quarter-turn locator helps position fixture plates accurately while allowing sliding movement during setup. The retractable pin design allows the clamping fastener to slide off
the base or plate without interference. Once positioned, the knob is rotated a quarter turn, expanding the balls on the pin to lock the fixture in place until the knob is turned back to OFF.
The CP740 provides repeatability of ±0.02 mm, a 16 mm pin diameter, 29.5 mm shaft length, and 562 lb. clamping force, while weighing less than one pound. Components are made from stainless steel and pre-hardened electroless nickel-plated steel for durability in repeat-use fixturing environments.
For more information, visit www.fixtureworks.com.
KHK USA Offers Premium Metric Worm Gears
KHK USA Inc., distributor of the KHK® brand of metric gears, offers an extensive line of metric worm gears manufactured by Kohara Gear Industry Co. of Japan. The worm gear pairs are designed for quiet operation, smooth power transmission, and large speed reduction in compact spaces.
KHK worm gear pairs are available in a range of modules, tooth counts, and reduction ratios. Worm materials include carbon steel, Chromalloy steel, and stainless steel, while worm wheels are available in cast iron, phosphor bronze, aluminum bronze, and MC901 nylon.
Many KHK worm wheels and worms allow secondary operations such as bore opening, keyway additions, tapped holes, hub diameter reductions, or shaft modifications.
KHK’s Duplex Worm and Worm Wheel pair also uses a variable-pitch worm to help eliminate backlash through axial adjustment.
For more information, visit www.khkgears.us.
Centurion™
Primus Jack Redefines Rack Repair
SpaceGuard Products’
Centurion™ Primus Jack is designed to make pallet rack repair safer, faster, and more adaptable by replacing groundlevel bottle jacks with a modular lifting system that operates directly from the repair zone.
The system provides two-inch incremental adjustment from the floor up to 13 feet, allowing technicians to place lifting force at the damaged area instead of overextending above the repair point. Its ergonomic pump design also lets operators maintain visibility and distance throughout the lift.
Stackable four-foot extensions help crews configure the jack for different rack heights, while multiple attachment methods support teardrop, structural, keystone, and slide-in ridge rack designs. Built for demanding facility environments, the Primus Jack combines a high-strength structure with modular handling for jobsite flexibility.
For more information, visit www.spaceguardproducts.com.
Toyota Material Handling Introduces Redesigned Stand-Up Rider Forklift
Toyota Material Handling has introduced a redesigned Toyota Stand-Up Rider Forklift for indoor warehouse operations. The counterbalanced model offers lifting capacities from 3,000 to 5,000 pounds and is designed for applications such as dock-to-stock workflows, narrow aisle movement, and high-volume warehouse handling. New features include electric power steering, advanced AC drive and lift motors, regenerative plugging, and Toyota’s MyInsights® telematics for tracking usage hours, impacts, error codes, and equipment location. The compact forklift also offers three- and four-stage mast options with lift heights up to 270 inches. Operator-focused updates include a 7-inch multifunction color touchscreen display, a cushioned 60-inch backrest, kneepad cushion, adjustable steer tiller and armrest, and a multifunction control handle for travel and hydraulic functions.
WITT Gas Highlights MEM+ Gas Mixer Series
WITT Gas highlights its MEM+ gas mixer series for precise gas mixing in welding, laser cutting, and other controlled-atmosphere applications. The series supports mixtures of two or three non-flammable gases, including nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.
The MEM+ series offers seven interface options, including analog 4-20 mA, Ethernet, CANbus, OPC UA, Profinet, RS232, and analog 0-10V. Operators can control the mixers remotely through a PC, PLC, or machine controller, or directly through the onboard touchscreen.
Electronically operated motorized proportional valves allow mixture adjustments in 0.1 percent increments, with target gas mixtures typically reached in less than three seconds and accuracy better than ±1 percent absolute. Pressure equalization, inlet-pressure monitoring, alarms, and an integrated buffer tank support stable, reliable operation.
For
For more information, visit www.toyotaforklift.com.
Donaldson Introduces Stratos Mist Collector Donaldson Company has introduced the Stratos Mist Collector, a continuous-duty filtration system for fugitive metalworking mist, watersoluble fluids, oil lubricants, and thermally generated smoke contaminants.
The system combines airflow management, high-efficiency media technology, and an operator interface with a multilingual display, filter-life monitoring, and performance indicators. Quiet electronically commutated motors with built-in variable frequency drive capability allow precise airflow control and efficient energy use.
Available as a machine-mount or floor-stand system, the Stratos Mist Collector is offered in multiple model sizes to meet varying airflow and performance requirements. Its compact footprint supports integration with OEM equipment as well as existing manufacturing environments.
For more information, visit www.donaldson.com.
Epicor Introduces Agentic AI Stack for ERP Workflows
Epicor has introduced new functionality for Epicor Prism, a network of vertical AI agents designed to execute work directly inside ERP systems used across the make, move, and sell economy.
The expanded stack includes Epicor Lux, the company’s agentic design system; Epicor Prism Agent Foundry, a guided workspace for building and customizing agents; and Epicor Prism Agents that operate within ERP workflows across data, processes, and decisions.
New and forthcoming agents include MRP Log Agent, Freight Spend Agent, Reasoning Agent, Quick Ship Tracking Agent, Quick Ship Freight Insight Agent, Prophet 21 Prism Business Rules Agent, EDI Agent, CPQ Snap Assistant, and Smart Data Capture Agent. More than 30 additional Prism agents are in development across
financial planning, compliance, invoicing, logistics, and sustainability use cases.
For more information, visit www.epicor.com.
FlyMarker® mini 85/45 plus
The handheld FlyMarker® mini 85/45 plus is a fully portable, battery-operated dot peen marker with an 85 x 45 mm marking area and a lightweight design under 7 lbs. Built for permanent marking in the field or on the shop floor, the unit can mark plastics, aluminum, and hardened steel up to 63 HRC.
Marking force can be adjusted directly on the unit, and an optional extra-strong magnet supports deeper markings for improved visibility after metal treatments. The system can mark characters, numbers, company logos, test symbols, and Data Matrix Codes.
Automatic height compensation up to 5 mm helps maintain consistent results on round or uneven surfaces. Files can be created through the dirt-resistant onboard keyboard or transferred through USB, while two lithium-ion batteries support cord-free operation.
For more information, visit www.rocklinmfg.com.
The Rocklinizer® Carbide Application Equipment
The portable Rocklinizer® Carbide Application Equipment deposits tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, and Rockhard material onto and beneath metal surfaces using a low-heat electrospark deposition process. The carbide coatings help reduce metal-on-metal wear, improve grip, restore dimensions, and extend the life of tooling, molds, dies, and production components. Because the process introduces minimal heat into the base material, it helps reduce distortion while allowing localized shop-floor repair.
Common applications include die casting dies, tube bending dies and collets, stamping and punching operations, worn edges and surfaces, and other high-wear manufacturing environments. Multiple models are available, and the equipment can also be integrated into automated or robotic systems.
For more information, visit www.rocklinmfg.com.
2026 ANNUAL SUPPLIER'S DIRECTORY
FEATURED SUPPLIERS
Actek Manufacturing & Engineering
Since 1989, Actek(R) Manufacturing & Engineering has established a reputation for providing top-quality products as well as excellent service. Actek hoist rings are ISO 9001:2015 certified, 200% proof-load tested, and come with a certificate.
Advent Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.
Advent Tool supplies Thread Mills, Form Mills, Spline Mills, and Broaching Tools for applications requiring faster cycle times and increased tool life. Our patented tools are designed with multiple flute features that provide longer cut lengths with complete forms and better finishes at higher feed rates while using less horsepower.
AGMA
AGMA is the global network for technical standards, education, and business information for manufacturers, suppliers, and users of mechanical power transmission components. The association includes about 490 of the world's top gearing companies across more than 30 countries around the world.
AMS | Press Brake Safety
Advanced Manufacturing Solutions | Press Brake Safety is a leading industry advocate for press brake operator safety. PBS is the exclusive North American installer of Germanybased Fiessler AKAS(R) laser safety systems, the most sophisticated press brake safety systems in the world.
Burr King Mfg., Co., Inc.
Since 1951 Burr King grinders, polishers, and mass finishing systems have utilized innovative designs of uncompromising quality. They are industrial grade and intended for use on metals, woods, composites, plastics, rubber, stone, fiberglass and other materials.
Advanced Mechanical Enterprises
Advanced Mechanical Enterprises (AME) specializes in predictive, preventative, and corrective maintenance for rotating and reciprocating machinery in the industrial and marine sectors. Services include vibration analysis, laser and optical alignment, comprehensive machinery services, and hydraulic repairs.
AeroGo, Inc.
AeroGo manufactures innovative load moving equipment, utilizing wheels and hovercraft technology, that move heavy, awkward, or delicate loads in factories. AeroGo works with companies large and small to find a load moving solution that is safe, efficient and cost-effective.
American Technical Publishers (ATP)
American Technical Publishers (ATP) produces effective training materials for technicians and skilled-trades workers in construction, electrical, mechanical, and maintenance industries. Our high-quality instructional materials are widely used in apprenticeship and industrial training programs. Offered in print and digital format
Betenbender Manufacturing, Inc.
The Betenbender Family of Hydraulic Shears and Press Brakes, manufactured and assembled by Betenbender Manufacturing, Inc. in Coggon, Iowa, U.S.A., continues to excel in their fifth decade. This Family Owned and Operated, Midwestern company proudly produces what they consider the US's best-built Shears and Press Brakes.
The Caldwell Group
What started with the manufacturing of lifting slings in Rockford, IL in 1954 has grown into one of the largest manufacturers of belowthe-hook lifting devices in North America, selling Caldwell beams, Renfroe clamps and RUD lifting points all over the world.
Cintas Corporation
Streamline your workday with service that does the heavy lifting for you. An Apparel+ program from Cintas includes workwear fit for nearly any job imaginable, plus laundry and delivery — offering you ultimate convenience and exceptional value.
Cosen Saws, North America
Cosen Saws is a global leader in manufacturing industrial band saws and technologies. Offering cutting solutions for a wide variety of industries and applications, we offer over 140 different models with over 100 units in stock and ready to ship from our Charlotte, NC HQ.
Federal Knife, Inc.
A global supplier of high quality machine knives and blades of all types. We can provide the correct replacement blade for your equipment from our large inventory or custom manufacture blades to your specifications.
Furnace Brokers International
Furnace Brokers International maintains the largest database of available heat treating equipment in the world. Along with equipment sales and buying, Furnace Brokers does appraisals and exports worldwide. Whether buying or selling one piece or an entire plant, call us.
HMI a Division of Betenbender
HMI offers the most versatile C-Frame press or punch of all machines available today. Their frames are designed to have fewer tons-persquare-inch of pressure on their side plates, thus reducing spring back of the frame and reducing tool wear.
Hypneumat, Inc.
Hypneumat, Inc. manufactures an array of automatic drilling units, tapping units and multiple spindle heads under the Hypneumat, Commander and Snow brands. Hypneumat also specializes in contract machining services offering multi-axis turning and vertical machining capabilities.
Combilift
Combilift is a specialist 4 directional forklift & straddle carrier manufacturer producing a wide range of customized handling solutions, all of which are designed for the safe, spacesaving, and very productive handling of long and awkward loads. Capacities from 3,200 lbs. to 180,000 lbs.
COXREELS
COXREELS(R) has remained focused on manufacturing high-quality professional-grade hose, cord, and cable reels since 1923. Offering a full product line serving the industry in every channel and application, COXREELS(R) designs, builds, and supports their products in America.
Fortville Feeders, Inc.
Fortville Feeders is a manufacturer of Feeding Systems that are engineered to easily integrate into your automation system. Maintenance and changeover friendly. Turnkey capable. Of the highest quality and ability.
H&K Equipment
H&K Equipment provides specialized material handling vehicles and warehouse solutions backed by award-winning service and support. Our expert teams are there for you, wherever and whenever we are needed.
HYDMECH Canada Corp.
HYDMECH is a world leader in metal band saw and cold sawing solutions. Their innovative solutions are geared to meet the practical needs of the aerospace, automotive, steel service centers, metal fabrications shops, racing, and other sectors.
Ipsen, Inc.
Founded in 1948 in Rockford, Illinois, Ipsen is the global leader in the design and manufacture of industrial heat-treating equipment and services. We specialize in advanced vacuum and atmosphere furnace systems for a wide range of applications.
KEC Incorporated
KEC Incorporated specializes in Tank Turning Rolls, Welding Positioners, Floor Turntables, Sub Arc Manipulators, Head & Tail stocks. We also have a large inventory of Radial drills, bandsaws & other machine tools.
Kinetic
Kinetic is a domestic manufacturer and supplier of knives and blades used in the steel-producing and processing industries. We performance-match your cutting requirements to the correct blade metallurgy. In addition, Kinetic offers re-grinding of your knives to their original factory condition.
MB Metal Technologies
MB Metal Technologies' pin marking machines deliver permanent, high-quality marks on parts and tags. Ideal for serial numbers, QR codes, & data matrices, our pin markers are perfect for manufacturers needing reliable part identification, especially in outdoor environments.
Pat Mooney Saws
Pat Mooney Saws is the North American sales and support headquarters for high-performance saw machines and saw blades. For over 70 years, we have helped manufacturers of every size find the right sawing solution for their production requirements.
RHH | Russell, Holbrook & Henderson
RHH specializes in fine-pitch carbide gear hobs, gear shaper cutters, and master gears. With decades of experience supplying precision gear-cutting tools to OEM and contract gear manufacturers, RHH helps shops improve gear quality, extend tool life, and reduce cycle time on the most demanding gear-cutting applications.
Sky Hook by Syclone ATTCO Service
Manufacturer of the Sky Hook, a small, portable, ergonomic lifting device designed to provide safe, high quality lifting solutions that can assist in applications involving hard to reach loads up to 500 lbs. Proudly family owned and operated since 1969.
KHK-USA
Having been a company solely devoted to the manufacture of gears for 80 years, KHK is world renowned for their brand of gears. KHK USA is a factory direct, full-service distributor of KHK gears to meet your gearing needs.
Lenzkes Clamping Tools, Inc
Lenzkes clamps assist with QMC-Quick Mold Change, QDC-Quick Die Change, SMED-SingleMinute Exchange of Die and other machining/ safety issues. Their Free Trial program allows use in real-time working situations (such as Stamping, Milling, and Injection Molding) without obligation to purchase.
OZ Lifting Products
OZ Lifting Products, headquartered in Winona, MN, offers safe and reliable lifting solutions through innovative, high-quality equipment for diverse industries like manufacturing, construction, oil & gas. With over 20 years of experience providing lifting solutions for demanding applications worldwide.
Pro-Line Work Benches
Pro-Line has been a leader in workbench manufacturers since 1978. Proline offers a wide selection of workbenches that feature a modular designs and interchangeable accessories. Pro-Line continues to be on the leading edge of modular ergonomics.
Salinger Electric Co., Inc.
Salinger Electric Co., Inc. has been selling quality new and reconditioned electrical equipment and electrical supplies since 1946. We are distributors of Siemens, Eaton, Continental and many others. We have locations in Troy, Romeo and Farmington Hills, MI.
Sprinter Marking
Sprinter Marking manufactures a range of machines models that automatically ink code-mark message on a wide range of porous and non-porous surfaces. While very small in physical size, they are designed for rugged industrial operation.
Standard-Direct.us
Welcome to Standard-Direct.us, your number one source for industrial fabricated carts, shelf trucks, security trucks, storage cabinets and workbenches and much more. Industrial Shelving systems.
Sure Tack Systems, LLC
Sure Tack Systems, a division of Crist Company, Inc. established in 1980 and offers a diverse product line for your hot melt adhesive equipment and application needs. Whether your need is for high-speed extrusion, wide web spray, slot coating or manual product assembly; STS has a hot melt system to fit your individual needs and budget.
W.F. Wells
W.F. Wells manufactures twin post, semi-automatic, and CNC fully-automatic horizontal metal cutting bandsaws of the guillotine type. Models available cutting 9 to 60 inches in diameter. We also manufacture hinge-type horizontal bandsaws cutting 7 to 10-inch diameter stock. Specialty saws cutting unusual sizes and materials are available
Stor-Loc
The original heavy duty Modular Storage Drawer Cabinet that was the norm in the industry until the early 1990s is available only from Stor-Loc(R). Their durable Modular Drawer Cabinet comes complete with a unique 55 Year Satisfaction Guarantee.
Tap Associates, Inc.
Tap Associates, Inc.
Makers of the Self-Locking Tap Extension
Popular for a Reason
Wellsaw Inc.
Wellsaw manufactures a full line of high-quality metal cutting bandsaws with features and construction that ensure accurate cutting, ease of operation, and long service life. All of our saws are made at our factory in Southwestern Michigan.
From precision machining in Ohio to robotics integration in Texas, a new era of American manufacturing is rising. It’s not nostalgia — it’s a resurgence powered by automation, innovation, and a workforce ready to lead.
Every product made here strengthens our economy, shortens supply chains, and puts quality back at the forefront. The reshoring movement is more than a trend — IT’S A TRANSFORMATION.
Whether you’re a job shop, OEM, or advanced manufacturer, now is the time to invest in American strength, reliability, and ingenuity. Let’s build the future—right here at home.
2026 ANNUAL SURPLUS GUIDE
FEATURED SURPLUS LISTINGS
AMCbid.com
AMCbid has a nationwide presence of Industrial Equipment specialists to assist with your Auction or Appraisal needs. We understand the importance of liquidating your assets in a timely and professional manner. auctionebid.com | (770) 980-9565
Asset Management Group, LLC
AMG has been an industry leader in Appraisals, Liquidations and Auctions for over 25 years, while continuing to innovate and provide superior levels of excellence in selling assets globally.
amgrouponline.com | (313) 499-6490
BTM Industrial
BTM Industrial is a leading asset disposition company. We can assist with good running machinery, MRO surplus, warehouse cleanouts, scrap automated systems and all other facets of plant surplus. btmindustrial.com | (616) 745-5953
CIA Industrial, LLC
With 60+ years in the business, CIA Industrial has built a strong reputation as a trusted, reliable partner to industrial businesses across the nation. "Forging Exit Strategies Since 1961" cia-industrial.com | (513) 241-9701
Comly Auctioneers & Appraisers
Comly is the oldest family-owned industrial auction company in the U.S. The Comly family of auctioneers and real estate brokers has been specializing in industrial auctions for decades. Certified ASA appraisers. comly.com | (215) 634-2500
Arizona Auctioneers LLC
For over 80 years THE ARIZONA AUCTIONEERS have provided a time-tested, SKILLED APPRAISAL and AUCTION SERVICE... the VITAL LINK between Buyer and Seller! arizonaauctioneers.com | (602) 258-6981
BidIndustrial.com, LLC
BidIndustrial.com is a Commercial & Industrial Auction Company for industrial machinery & equipment. We specialize in UNRESERVED auctions of heavy equipment & machinery, commercial & industrial inventories, aircraft and aviation ground service equipment. bidindustrial.com | (888) 777-9888
Capital Recovery Group, LLC
CRG is a global private equity firm that creates liquidity through expertise, innovative solutions and access to worldwide markets by revitalizing idle or marginally productive assets and liquidating surplus.
crgllc.com | (860) 623-9060
CNC Exchange
CNC Exchange, Division of Gray Machinery Company, specializes in buying and selling high-quality, pre-owned CNC Machines including Swiss-type lathes, Turning centers and Machining centers and other types of industrial equipment. cncexchange.com | (847) 537-7700
Country Boys Auction & Realty, Inc.
For 50 years, Country Boys Auction & Realty, Inc. has specialized in the auction & liquidation of all types of industrial machinery, heavy equipment, and real estate throughout NC, SC, & VA. countryboysauction.com | (252) 946-6007
Crescent Commercial Corporation
Today C3 is one of Canada's foremost companies specializing in auctions and liquidations. We are a dynamic company working creatively to meet our clients' every need. c3.com | (514) 638-3007
EquipNet Auctions
EquipNet is a global leader of surplus asset management solutions. Recognized for our proprietary asset management platform, our revolutionary industrial equipment marketplace, and our results-driven project management services. EquipNet.com | (781) 821-3482
Glenn A. Winternitz, LLC
With a history of four generations as auctioneers, Glenn A. Winternitz, LLC brings the knowledge and experience necessary to navigate these challenging economic times. We are knowledgeable in what we sell! winternitzauction.com | (773) 290-1827
IMDauctions.com
The NEW IMDauctions.com is Industrial Machinery Digest's online auction hub, offering live and timed machinery auctions listings, custom banners and eblasts and marketing packages to promote your upcoming auctions! IMDauctions.com | (785) 366-0810
Joiner Sales Corp.
Joiner Sales Corp has over 46 years of experience in providing market leading Industrial Auctions and Appraisals in Canada. We are a family team of experienced industrial auctioneers and machinery appraisers! joinersales.com | (604) 852-8711
Lee Stevens Machinery Auctions, LLC
Since 1948, we have supplied quality, late model used tool room, production and CNC machinery to Manufacturers in the US and abroad. We assist our clients with tooling up or replacing existing capital equipment. Auctions, Liquidations and Appraisal Services. stevensmachinery.com | (248) 926-8400
Denver Breaker & Supply
Denver Breaker and Supply was established in 1984 and has always had a "Customer First" approach of doing business. They provide new and reconditioned electrical equipment and guarantee the finest quality and best prices you can find in the business.
denverbreaker.com | (855) 487-2757
Gerlach Companies, Inc.
We are the oldest family-owned Industrial/ Commercial Auction and Appraisal Company in continuous existence in Wisconsin since 1941.
GerlachAuctions.com | (262) 367-4950
Henderson Auctions
Henderson Auctions is one of the oldest equipment auction firms in existence and is recognized as a leader in the industry. We specialize in heavy construction machinery, truck and trailer, mobile home, travel trailer, industrial equipment, and real estate auctions. hendersonauctions.com | (225) 686-2252
Integra Asset Solutions
Our decades-long expertise in industrial/ commercial valuations & liquidations allows us to optimize the value of any distressed/ nonperforming/surplus asset. We customize our services for businesses of all sizes. integra-as.com | (888) 243-6161
Lee Stevens Machinery
Since 1948, we have supplied quality, late model used tool room, production and CNC machinery to Manufacturers in the US and abroad. We assist our clients with tooling up or replacing existing capital equipment. Auctions, Liquidations and Appraisal Services. stevensmachinery.com | (248) 926-8400
Levy Recovery Group
The Levy Recovery Group specializes in industrial machinery auctions, liquidations, appraisals and used equipment sales. With 30+ years of experience, we deliver complete asset solutions for businesses of all sizes. levyrecovery.com | (586) 585-9035
Machinery Network Auctions
With options for both online and onsite bidding, we offer more than just used machinery auctions. Our services span machinery appraisals, surplus asset evaluations, investment recovery and financial solutions. machinerynetworkauctions.com | (818) 788-2260
Perfection Global
Certified Appraiser, Auctioneer, Dealer, delivers transparent equipment trades via USPAP valuations, live/online auctions, or direct sales from its 86,000-sq-ft Chicago showroom. 60+ years, worldwide buyer network. Real. Proven. Results.
perfectionglobal.com | (847) 427-3333
RAAR Group USA LLC
Auctions, Machine Tools, Power Generation Equipment, Motors and Transformers! raargroupusa.com | (310) 487-3800
Roller Auctions
Colorado based with 50 years of expertise in commercial/industrial valuations and liquidations. We excel in converting quality assets to cash with a streamlined operation from consultation to completion. roller.bid | (303) 289-1600
SIGMA Auction
SIGMA Auction has developed a system that will assess your surplus equipment and then help you turn your assets into immediate liquidity. We offer a no-stress solution to turn your idle equipment into profits. sigma-auction.com | (812) 308-6400
Westbrook Asset Management
Westbrook Asset management is a full-service industrial auction and liquidation company. We offer a wide range of programs for sellers to quickly turn their surplus machinery and equipment into cash. westbrook-auctions.com | (800) 899-8182
Moecker Auctions, Inc.
Moecker Auctions, Inc. is a trusted company in Florida. Our team of experienced, accredited professionals have successfully delivered state-wide auctions, appraisals, and liquidations with accountability. moeckerauctions.com | (954) 252-2887
Premier Asset Recovery Group LLC
Premier Asset Recovery Group, LLC has emerged as a leading force in the industrial auction sector, distinguished by its commitment to effective and efficient auction practices. premierarg.com | (312) 280-1234
Rabin Worldwide, Inc.
In business for over 70 years, led by the 2nd generation, Rabin is a family-held auction and real estate investment company, which acquires and sells industrial facilities and equipment around the world. rabin.com | (415) 522-5700
Schneider Industries
Schneider Industries has been helping corporations manage surplus assets and liquidate inventory for 30 years. schneiderind.com | (314) 200-0410
Stone Auctioneers & Appraisers
Our Mission - to provide the highest quality services possible, continuously educating, training and conducting ourselves in a manner that reflects integrity and keeps our client's goals and interests Priority One. stoneauctioneers.com | (205) 373-1130
Workingman Capital Corp.
Our Promise: Professional solutions for industrial businesses. Selling your factory? We sell industrial factories and assets. Selling your business? We bring buyers and sellers together. workingmancapital.com | (416) 847-7336
