Julia Hider

Robots and Autonomy Correspondent at Gardner Business Media

Senior Editor at Modern Machine Shop

Senior Editor at Plastics Technology

Articles

AMRs Are Moving Into Manufacturing: Considerations for Implementation

2 weeks ago | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

As automation technology advances, it’s becoming increasingly more flexible. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are a prime example of adaptable automation. Not only do they provide an agnostic base that can handle multiple parts and tasks without needing reprogramming or tooling changes, but they can also easily respond to changes that occur in a facility.
TIMTOS 2025: Taiwan’s Machine Tool Industry Embraces Technology to Meet Global Demands

3 weeks ago | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

The Taipei International Machine Tool Show (TIMTOS) 2025 took place March 3-8 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Halls 1 and 2, as well as Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. The show featured more than 1,000 exhibitors from Taiwan and around the world. Photos provided by MMS. Doing business in the global economy has become difficult thanks to recent and ongoing factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical instability and economic volatility.
KUKA Automation Tech Day Highlights the Power of Integrated Automation Technologies

1 month ago | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

Mikron Machining is the leading partner for high performance machining systems to manufacture complex and precise metal components in high volumes....
Expanding Automation Among US Manufacturers

1 month ago | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

Universal Robots’ Collaborate 2025 event took place January 28 in Novi, Michigan. It featured presentations from Universal Robots representatives and partners, as well as technology displays by companies within the Universal Robots ecosystem. Photos by Modern Machine Shop. Collaborative robots are becoming increasingly common in manufacturing facilities, but there are still more opportunities for automation.
Three Features That Maximize Unattended Machining on Palletized Machines

1 month ago | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

Pallet systems such as this Cubelex-35 from Matsuura enable users to set up parts while the machine is running to maximize spindle uptime and unattended machining. Photos provided by Modern Machine Shop. Higher spindle utilization means shops are getting more money from their machine tools. To increase this number, shops need to find a way to set up parts while the machine is running. “The setup is where you lose your money,” says Patrick Filipek, an application engineer at Matsuura Machinery USA.
The Four Phases of a Manufacturer’s Automation Evolution

2 months ago | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

Coon Rapids, Minnesota-based rms Company is a contract medical device manufacturer. It has multiple business units ranging from low-mix, high-volume to high-mix, low volume with 850 machine tools (and more on order). All photos by Modern Machine Shop.
How I Made It: Craig Cegielski

2 months ago | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

I grew up in rural Wisconsin. I had the minibike, the snowmobile and the three-wheeler and I enjoyed tinkering. So, in school, I naturally enjoyed hands-on courses and found myself taking machining, welding, automotive, all that stuff. When I was in career planning, I decided I should be a tech ed teacher. I could teach and I could be around all the stuff I like.
JIMTOF 2024 Report: EVs, AI and Autonomous Robots Abound

Jan 7, 2025 | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

The 2024 Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF) was held November 5-10, 2024 at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center. Photos provided by Modern Machine Shop. As technology develops, the manufacturing industry adapts not only to new parts that need to be made, but also to new, more efficient ways of making these parts. Examples of both were on display at the 2024 Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF), held November 5 through 10, 2024 at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center.
Tactile Sensor Could Give Robots Human Touch

Dec 5, 2024 | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

Gelsight’s tactile sensor features an elastomeric skin that forms on contact with an object, similar to how human skin works. A camera behind the sensor captures images of what the sensor is detecting, and an algorithm stitches the images together, providing submicron-level data on the object’s surface. Photo by Modern Machine Shop. Imagine opening a door using only your sense of vision to guide you, without any sense of touch.
Rego-Fix’s Center for Machining Excellence Promotes Collaboration

Nov 18, 2024 | mmsonline.com | Julia Hider

Rego-Fix celebrated the opening of its Center for Machining Excellence (CME) on October 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house. The new space is intended to strengthen the manufacturing industry by providing a physical space for collaboration between technology partners. Machining is a collaborative process. Not only does it require a machine tool, but software, cutting tools, toolholders, tool presetting, workholding, coolant, metrology and more are also necessary to make parts.