MARTIN IN THE MEDIA

Every machining application comes with its own set of challenges. Part geometry, material, workholding requirements, and production goals all influence the final solution. One of our latest builds is headed to a customer in the firearms industry, where it will be installed on a DN Solutions America vertical machining center. The system combines a Koma Precision RWA-250R rotary table with a custom workholding package designed specifically for holding Picatinny rails. Building

Adding a robot to a machine cell is the easy part. Building the workholding system that makes the robot productive, repeatable, and reliable is where the real engineering happens. This Fixture Friday build is headed into an automation cell designed for robotic loading. Every major component was selected and integrated around one goal: a system that can locate, clamp, machine, and release parts with minimal operator involvement. Here’s how it works: The Workholding Foundation

Sometimes the most effective machining solutions are not overly complicated. They are built around the right combination of rigidity, access, repeatability, and flexibility. That is exactly what this setup delivers. This Stallion Trunnion package is being paired with SCHUNK KSC3 vises, GFD mini zero-point bases, and our TS1200-IB braking system to turn a standard vertical machining center into a much more capable 4th-axis production platform. For a machine shop looking to get

One of the biggest advantages of 4th-axis machining is the ability to do more work in fewer setups. But the real value comes when the entire process is built around fixture density, repeatability, rigidity, and flexibility. That is exactly what makes a setup like this so powerful. This Stallion Tombstone Trunnion is being installed in a Haas Automation VF-7 with an HRT310 rotary table. The customer is using the 52mm RockLock system from 5th Axis Workholding to mount custom fi

At Global Products and Development in Spokane, Washington, the goal is simple: get parts through the machine efficiently and consistently. But like a lot of shops, the challenge isn’t just cutting the part. It’s everything around it. Setups, handling, and making sure the process holds from one run to the next. From Job Shop to Production Global Products and Development didn’t start where they are today. What began as custom work, from early-stage product ideas sketched on nap

There's a version of the Martin Trunnion Tables story that starts with the product — the engineering, the machining, the first IMTS show. But there's another version starting with a family deciding to bet on themselves, and Toni Martin is at the center of it. From Living Room to Shop Floor Before Martin Trunnion Tables was a business, Toni was a stay-at-home mom to four kids — a job she'll tell you was her favorite. When the youngest started school in 2006, she launched a ten

In 4th-axis machining, rotation gets most of the attention. But the real challenge often happens after the index—when the rotary must hold position against cutting forces. When parts are mounted far from the centerline of rotation, or when aggressive tools and deep cuts are involved, the built-in brake of a standard rotary table may not provide enough holding torque. That’s where a dedicated braking system makes the difference. At Martin Trunnion Tables, our TS1200 braking sy

Adding a 4th axis to a VMC isn’t just about rotation — it’s about improving flexibility, reducing setup time, and increasing spindle uptime. We recently assembled a complete 4-axis machining system on our floor designed to give this customer more capability out of their vertical machining center. Instead of relying on angle plates and custom one-off fixtures, this setup integrates a rotary table, modular workholding, and a dual-sided CNC trunnion table into one cohesive syste

For years, Martin Trunnion Tables has been known for one thing: providing vertical machining centers with true 4-axis capability through our rigid, reliable trunnion systems. Today, we are taking the next step in that mission with the launch of our Turnkey Division. This division is designed to deliver complete 4-axis machining systems that go from concept to chips without requiring customers to piece anything together. This wasn’t a sudden decision. It was the natural result

Reducing setups is one of the fastest ways to improve throughput, accuracy, and consistency. This fixture was designed with exactly that goal in mind—combining first-operation efficiency with precise multi-axis finishing in a single, integrated system. First Operation: Four-Part Bison Chuck Plate The first operation is handled on a dedicated fixture plate designed specifically for Bison chucks. This plate allows four parts to be run simultaneously, making it an efficient and

We’re wrapping up a full turnkey machining solution for one of our Midwest customers—and this project goes far beyond a standard trunnion setup. What started as a conversation about adding a 4th axis quickly turned into a complete process redesign. This included custom workholding, CAM programming for a complex casting, and on-machine installation and prove-out on a brand-new Mazak machining center. This is exactly the kind of project our team loves—because it pulls together

Why We Built a New Site Over the years, our product line has continued to expand — from Stallion Trunnion Tables and VMC Tombstones to rotary unions, braking systems, foundation plates, custom fixtures, and more. But as our lineup grew, we realized our website needed to grow with it. The goal was straightforward: Create a site that makes it easier than ever to find the right workholding solution — quickly, clearly, and confidently. What’s New 1. Cleaner Navigation We reorgani

The manufacturing industry never stops evolving — and neither do we. Every year brings new challenges, tighter tolerances, and higher expectations for what’s possible in machining. For us, that means staying ahead of the curve through innovation, collaboration, and relentless attention to detail. At Martin Trunnion Tables, every project we take on is a new opportunity to refine our process and deliver a smarter, stronger, and more efficient solution for our customers. Whether

In today’s manufacturing world, synergy isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a survival strategy. The landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade: skilled labor is harder to find, automation is no longer optional, and customers expect faster turnaround without sacrificing precision or quality. These realities demand more than incremental improvements — they call for true integration between technology, tooling, and process design. That’s where the collaboration between Ma

At Martin Trunnion Tables, we specialize in building workholding solutions that make machining easier, smarter, and more efficient. Our latest project? A fully integrated hydraulic automation fixture built specifically for a FANUC RoboDrill machining center — and it’s packed with features designed to eliminate part handling and boost rigidity. A Fully Custom, Automation-Ready Setup This build was developed with one goal in mind: seamless integration into a high-output automat

From fixture design to farm chores, Todd Nelson keeps everything running smoothly. ​ At Martin Trunnion Tables, our team is the engine behind every custom solution — and Todd is one of our key drivers. As Shop Manager, he brings decades of hands-on experience and leadership to our floor, keeping production efficient and quality top of mind. How It All Started Todd’s machining journey began in an unexpected place: furniture sales. After high school, he worked as a traveling re

At Martin Trunnion Tables, every CNC workholding solution we build is backed by smart, custom engineering — and often, one of the sharpest minds on our team: Louis Tran, our Manufacturing Engineer. From Baja Racing to CNC Workholding Louis joined Martin Trunnion Tables in 2023 as a Manufacturing Specialist and stepped into his current role as Manufacturing Engineer in 2024. He brought with him a deep passion for design, testing, and continuous process improvement — all essent

When a customer approached us looking to upgrade their Okuma vertical machining center, they had two main goals: boost volume and increase flexibility. What we delivered was a fully integrated trunnion table and custom workholding solution—built for speed, modularity, and accuracy. Let’s walk through this setup and what makes it such a powerful tool for any high-mix, high-output CNC environment. ​Built Around the Lyndex-Nikken CNC180 Rotary Table At the heart of this system i

For over 100 years, Skidmore Pump, based in Benton Harbor, Michigan, has built a reputation for manufacturing industry-leading condensate return pumps, boiler feed systems, vacuum systems, and related accessories. But even with a long legacy of quality, their team knew there was room to improve efficiency—particularly in their machining department. ​ That opportunity came into focus after a conversation at IMTS 2022, where Skidmore connected with Martin Trunnion Tables. The c

At Martin Trunnion Tables, our custom fixtures are designed with one goal in mind: making your machine tool more productive. This week’s featured solution showcases a dual-pallet Brother vertical machining center, each side outfitted with a dedicated Brother T-200Ad rotary table and a fixture custom-engineered to the customer's specific part and process. This isn’t just a pair of fixtures—it’s a coordinated system that unlocks continuous, high-density 4th-axis machining acros