.png)
IMTS 2026 Recap: Six Days of Machines, Manufacturing, and a Lot of Good Conversations
IMTS 2026 is officially in the books!
After six days in Chicago, a lot of walking, even more conversations, and more manufacturing and automation technology than anyone could reasonably see in one week, our team is back home and back to work.
This year's show was a big one for Martin Trunnion Tables. We brought some familiar Stallion solutions, introduced something completely new, worked alongside several of our industry partners, and spent the week talking with manufacturers about what they're making and how we can help them make it better. That's really what IMTS is all about for us.
More Than Trunnion Tables
If you stopped by our booth this year, you probably noticed there was a lot more going on than trunnion tables.
We showcased 4-axis workholding, quick-change solutions, braking systems, automation-ready setups, custom fixturing, and some of the different ways we're helping manufacturers build more complete machining processes.
One fixture combined Carr Lane Tiny Vise® Wedge Clamps, Stallion Lock quick change, a KOMA rotary, and our TS1200-IB braking system into one complete setup.
Another custom workholding fixture combined Vektek swing clamps, work supports, and sequence valves to properly locate and hold a variety of parts.
Each component in each fixture has a job to do, but everything works together. That's increasingly how we approach applications at Martin. We're not asking which product we can sell. We're looking at the part, the machine, the production goals, and the customer's challenges. Sometimes the answer is a trunnion. Sometimes it's custom workholding. Sometimes it's an entire system.
Introducing the Stallion AutoDoor
We also brought something completely new to Chicago this year: the Stallion AutoDoor.
The AutoDoor automates another step that can easily get overlooked when shops start thinking about robotic machine tending: opening and closing the machine door.
Using a full pneumatic design, the AutoDoor provides fast, controlled automatic door operation with smooth deceleration, integrated position sensing, programmable controls, and safety-focused operation.
It's designed to integrate with CNC machines, robots, and PLC-controlled production cells across VMCs, lathes, 5-axis machines, and other machining systems.
And based on the conversations we had in Chicago, we're not the only ones interested in taking that manual step out of the process.
Stallion Around the Show
One of the coolest parts of IMTS is getting outside our own booth and seeing Martin equipment integrated into systems throughout the show.
At the Vektek booth, a Stallion 9-23 was paired with hydraulic and pneumatic vises for automation, along with a rotary union solution.
At the Carr Lane booth, our Stallion 9-23 and our 9-23 DBS were showcased featuring both manual and autonomous workholding.
We also had a Stallion Trunnion Table running at the DN Solutions booth, giving attendees another opportunity to see what 4-axis machining looks like in a complete production environment.
Those partnerships matter to us.
A trunnion doesn't operate in isolation. Neither does the vise, rotary, robot, machine tool, or cutting tool. The best manufacturing solutions come from looking at how all of those pieces work together.
A Pretty Serious IMTS Giveaway
We were also excited to be part of the MakingChips IMTS giveaway this year alongside DN Solutions, Kennametal, Blaser, and other industry partners.
The grand prize included a fully tooled DN Solutions SVM 4100 valued at $100,000, the complete Blaser Liquid Tool Experience, and a $5,000 voucher toward any Martin Trunnion Tables product.
The Best Part Was the Conversations
As much as we enjoy bringing new equipment to IMTS, the most valuable things we brought home weren't products. They were problems.
Parts that currently take too many setups.
Machines that aren't running as often as they could.
Automation projects that still have a few pieces to figure out.
Applications where someone walked into the booth, pulled out their phone or a drawing, and asked: "Do you think you could build something for this?"
Those are our favorite conversations.
Because every application is different, the solution may not exist yet. And that's where the fun starts!
Back to Work
Thank you to everyone who stopped by Booth 431348, visited one of our setups elsewhere on the show floor, talked through an application with the team, or simply came over to see what we've been working on.
And thank you to our customers and industry partners who helped make IMTS 2026 such a great week.
We came home with plenty of ideas, applications, and conversations to follow up on. Now it's time to turn some of them into chips!
Have an application we talked about at IMTS or one you didn't get a chance to bring us? Get in touch with the Martin Trunnion Tables team.
Comments