SW North America plans live CNC and automation demos at IMTS 2026

SW North America will bring live machining, cobot automation and digital manufacturing demos to IMTS 2026 in Chicago from Sept. 14-19. The booth is designed to show manufacturers how integrated automation can improve throughput, reliability and production flexibility. Why it matters: - SW North America is using IMTS 2026 to show how CNC machining, robotics and digital tools can work together on a real production floor. - The demonstrations are aimed at manufacturers looking to improve throughput, reliability and flexibility as production requirements change. - The company will occupy Booth #338250 at McCormick Place in Chicago during the Sept. 14-19, 2026, show. What happened: - SW North America said it will bring an immersive manufacturing experience to IMTS 2026. - The company plans live machining, collaborative robot demos, aerospace applications, CNC manufacturing automation and interactive displays. - Andrew Rowley, general sales manager at SW North America, said IMTS lets manufacturers see technology in action and that the company will focus on showing how machining and automation can create more adaptable production environments. The details: - The first demo centers on the SW BA 322 dual-table, dual-spindle CNC machining center paired with a collaborative robot. - The BA 322 will machine custom SW souvenir challenge coins while the cobot loads raw material and unloads finished parts on the show floor. - Featured capabilities include dual-table, dual-spindle machining, independent Z axes, a ball screw driven platform, collaborative robot automation, intelligent vision technology and flexible automation integration. - The cobot is designed to safely operate alongside people using integrated sensing and intelligent motion technology. - Visitors will be able to select industry-themed challenge coins through an interactive game-show-style experience. - SW will also show Digital Twin technology that creates a virtual representation of the BA 322 process. - The Digital Twin setup is intended to let manufacturers simulate scenarios, validate process changes and optimize performance before making adjustments on the shop floor. - The second demo will use the BA W06-22 machining center to produce an aerospace blisk component. - That demo will highlight aerospace CNC machining applications, precision machining of complex geometries, process reliability for critical aerospace parts, high-performance material removal and advanced balancing and pre-setter technology. - A live pre-setter and balancing station will show how aerospace manufacturers and other users with tight tolerances can improve tooling accuracy and machining consistency. - The third demo will highlight zero-point fixture change technology using a cobot and an automated fixture exchange platform. - The zero-point system is aimed at low-volume, high-mix production environments. - The system is designed to deliver faster fixture changeovers, reduced downtime between production runs, improved positioning accuracy and greater manufacturing agility. - Booth visitors will also get custom IMTS-themed T-shirts, interactive automation technology displays and live discussions with SW machining and automation experts. - SW North America included links to its IMTS exhibitor page and company website: More information and the company’s website . Between the lines: - The booth mix suggests SW North America wants to position itself as both a machine tool supplier and an automation integrator. - The emphasis on live, real-time demos points to a sales pitch built around proof of process rather than static product marketing. - Digital Twin, cobots and zero-point fixturing all target common manufacturing pain points: changeovers, validation, labor use and process consistency. What’s next: - SW North America is encouraging IMTS attendees to add Booth #338250 to their show plans. - The company will showcase the demos during IMTS 2026 at McCormick Place from Sept. 14-19. - More information on SW North America’s manufacturing solutions is available on its website.