MT Magazine May/June 2026

FEATURE STORY

22

THE STATE OF AUTOMATION ISSUE

10. Tooling & Workholding After presetting and balancing, zidCode technology from Zoller (IMTS booth #432018) links all data to a QR code on the tool. At the CNC, the operator scans the QR code, which automatically imports all setup and other data into the machine, saving time and eliminating data entry errors. “Good shops can machine, but great shops can manage tools,” says Max Egan, CEO of Atlas Fibre, a thermoset composite leader that grew its revenue 500% in five years.

The Haas pallet feed system at IMTS 2024.

8. Quality Assurance Zeiss (IMTS booth #134302) Inspect software automates recurring inspection tasks, such as alignment, feature creation, GD&T evaluation, and reporting, using project templates and parametric workflows, allowing inspection plans to update automatically as part geometries or requirements change. Hexagon’s (IMTS booth #134102) Metrology Mentor is a new software-as-a-service application that automates the creation of CMM measurement programs.

For more, read “10 Quality Control and Inspection Automation Solutions at IMTS 2026.”

Job Satisfaction Atlas Fibre exemplifies how companies can achieve the impossible and strengthen U.S. manufacturing by combining technology with visionary leadership and dynamic change. Just as important, increased automation is helping make manufacturing more attractive to the next generation of workers – strengthening the industry’s long-term foundation. Ultimately, the opportunity is clear: Automation is no longer confined to individual processes. It is transforming entire workflows and business models. IMTS 2026 brings that transformation into focus, offering manufacturers a chance to see these technologies in action, connect with solution providers, and identify the next steps to turn strategy into results. After presetting and balancing, zidCode technology from Zoller links all data to a QR code on the tool. Recognizing Atlas Fibre’s efficiency and quality achievements, Zoller awarded Atlas Fibre with its Tool Room of the Year Award, which was announced at IMTS 2024.

The Zeiss Scanbox automates recurring inspection tasks.

9. Software Catamount Machine Works upgraded an existing Mitutoyo (IMTS booth #134117) CMM with Verisurf Software (IMTS booth #134330, a provider of model-based inspection and measurement software, and High QA (IMTS booth #134500), a company that offers ballooning and quality management software. High QA shortened document preparation time by about 80% and is the company’s highest ROI project in the last five years.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact Stephen at slamarca@AMTonline.org.

The Verisurf MTP (machine tool probing) suite for in-process automated inspection features a touch probe mounted in a tool holder, so users do not have to take their part off the machine to measure it.