This is part of our series covering automation technologies you can find at IMTS 2026. Check out our other articles: Robotic Solutions, Material Handling & Unattended Operation Systems, Tool Change and Management Automation Solutions, Quality Control and Inspection Automation Solutions, Automated Scrap and Coolant Solutions, Digital Solutions that Improve Shopfloor Productivity, Advanced Machine Tool Automation Features, and Automation Solutions for Secondary Processes.Workholding, as veteran machinists know, can make or break an automation project in its infancy. From hydraulic vises to tombstones and more, workholding is vital for maintaining the rigidity and repeatability necessary to keep machines running unattended. At IMTS 2026, attendees can expect to see a variety of workholding approaches and here’s a taste: 1. Zero-Point Clamping Systems: A subset of quick-change technology, zero-point systems use a set of precision locator pins and clamps (often hydraulic or pneumatic) to lock fixtures or workpieces in place with extreme repeatability. This eliminates the need for manual indicating as every part or fixture attaches with the same reference zero point. Many workholding exhibitors at IMTS offer such systems, including SMW-Autoblok, Erowa, and LANG. 2. Modular and Flexible Fixturing: Gone are the days of one-size rigid fixtures for each part. Today, companies like Jergens, 5th Axis, and Kurt Workholding provide modular systems that offer users the opportunity to change out workpieces with varied part geometries quickly. Examples include adjustable angle brackets, clamping towers with moveable pins, or fixture plates with a grid of threaded holes and locating bushings that enable machinists to rapidly configure holding points. These can help shops with limited machine availability handle a high mix of parts without investing in a custom fixture every time — saving cost and time, while also making automation easier thanks to the short, reliable setup. 3. Powered Workholding: Traditional vises and chucks require an operator to turn a wrench or key. However, automatic vises can automate the clamping action using pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuators controlled by the CNC. Vektek, and Kosmek USA, for example, specialize in powered workholding, offering both components and complete systems. “Smart” examples of powered workholding can even adjust grip force on the fly without unclamping the part. The result: reliable workholding for lights-out automation. Pneumatic vises like the ones on display at the Air Vise booth in 2024 are ideal for integrating with robotic automation. These vises open and close in response to signals from the CNC, making them ideal for lights-out machining. 4. Quick-Change Pallet Systems: Quick-change pallet systems like the Schunk VERO-S use modular bases that only require zeroing out once. After the user locates the base within the machine, they can then slot fixtures in and out in seconds with a repeatability measured in microns. Shops can then mount parts on standardized pallets and quickly change out workpieces either manually or with robotic accompaniment, making these an excellent choice for high-mix automation solutions. 5. Quick-Change Collet Chucks and Toolholders: In turning operations, it takes time to swap out the chuck or collet to accommodate different part sizes. Quick-change collet chuck systems like Royal Products’ Quick-Grip collets let users switch workholding in seconds, slashing the setup time for lathes. While these systems may still require an operator, the time saved in setup directly translates to more machine uptime. While commanding more operator attention than some of the other workholding approaches here, quick-change workholding is an excellent option for those trying to reduce setup time. Experts at the Royal Products booth are there to show you the ropes. 6. Multi-Part Workholding and Tombstones: The more direct among us have found that one way to keep a machine tool running through multiple workpieces is to simply load multiple workpieces at a time. By machining several pieces in one machine cycle, you extend the interval before an operator is needed, making this a simple, but effective solution. Approaches to this include multi-face tombstones and pyramid fixtures for five-axis machines, a solution favored by companies like 5th Axis. Those shops with the available space may even opt to simply load multiple parts into vises on larger worktables. 7. Adhesive, Magnetic, and Vacuum Workholding: Though a relatively niche area, applications involving thin workpieces or delicate materials can benefit from adhesives, magnetic chucks, and vacuum tables that provide effective workholding with no mechanical clamps at all. The first approach uses a specialized adhesive that enables the user to achieve rigidity without the risk of deforming the part from vise pressure on the sides. Modern electromagnetic chucks turn on and off with simple electrical signal, and vacuum tables can secure thin parts by suction, which can likewise be automated. These methods can enable the machining of parts that would be hard to clamp otherwise, and releasing the part is as easy as cutting power or vacuum — ideal for an automated workflow using robotic automation. In the West Building, companies like Industrial Magnetics, Schunk, Blue Photon, and VacuumTables.com are just some of the options for attendees interested in this strategy. Blue Photon is one of a number of workholding companies that offer specialized workholding for thin, flat parts. Like with vacuum and magnetic workholding, Blue Photon's solution is ideal for parts that easily deform in traditional vises. 8. Tailstock and Support Automation: When turning or grinding long parts, using a tailstock or steady rest is common. Automating these supports using servo-driven tailstocks that can retract or deploy using G-code commands makes automation attainable for parts that would otherwise require manual attention. Numerous companies including SMW-Autoblok and Hainbuch provide these solutions. Even machine tool manufacturers like Haas can provide one to meet the needs of the customer’s machinery and parts. 9. Palletized Workholding for Integration: Tying together workholding and material handling, many shops are adopting palletized workholding — where each fixture or vise is mounted on a pallet that robots or pallet changers can handle. This allows seamless integration with automation, as the robot can fetch a fixtured pallet from a rack and load it onto the machine, then swap it out for the next. This enables the machine to re-zero and start on the next part with minimal delay, even with shops doing high-mix, low-volume work. Companies like System 3R, Erowa, Schunk, Jergens, Midaco, and HWR Workholding all provide workholding systems designed for easy robotic handling using vises and collets that attach to pallets that can easily slot into place in the work area. These 5th Axis vises are mounted on pallets that enable the robot arm to load parts into a machine tool's work area efficiently. While the workpieces in this example are fairly uniform, this approach is also excellent for high-mix part automation. 10. Smart Fixturing with Sensors: One emerging trend is the use of sensors to confirm a part is properly secured. Pressure sensors, for example, can help maintain consistent clamping force, while vacuum fixtures can monitor vacuum level and can send an alarm or trigger a shutdown if a part starts to lose rigidity. Hainbuch America, for example, offers the TOPlus IQ chuck, which monitors clamping force for improved repeatability. These intelligent fixtures can act as a safeguard during unattended machining; if a part moves or wasn’t loaded correctly, system alerts can prevent a costly crash or scrapped part, securing both the part and the shop owner’s peace of mind. While not every solution highlighted here will fit every application, every shop can benefit from exploring the options available. If you’re aiming to improve their throughput, profitability, or capacity through automation, bring your workholding challenges to IMTS 2026. You’ll find experts across every area of workholding ready to help you make informed decisions tailored to your shop’s needs. Use the IMTS Show Planner to explore exhibitors and start building connections now to get the most out of your IMTS experience! Register for IMTS 2026, from Sept. 14-19, in Chicago. Get ready to experience these technologies live, talk to experts, and discover solutions to move your business forward. Do you have input about this article? Tell us about it.Interested in more automation technologies you can find at IMTS? Check out our other guides below:10 Robotic Solutions You Can Find at IMTS 202610 Material Handling & Unattended Operation Systems you can find at IMTS 202610 Tool Change and Management Automation Solutions at IMTS 202610 Quality Control and Inspection Automation Solutions at IMTS 2026From Waste to Workflow: 9 Automated Scrap and Coolant Solutions at IMTS 20269 Digital Solutions that Improve Shopfloor Productivity at IMTS 20267 Advanced Machine Tool Automation Features to See at IMTS 2026From Clean to Complete: 4 Automation Solutions for Secondary Processes at IMTS 2026
Every machining setup relies on rigid workholding to produce parts at spec, but automation introduces challenges that require specialized solutions that you can explore at IMTS 2026.
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