Full Recap of UNITED GRINDING at IMTS 2026
IMTS 2026 saw the North American debut of UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS, plus the latest arrivals and proven standouts from UNITED GRINDING. It was a spectacular week that we already can’t wait to do again in 2028.
If you didn’t get to Chicago for the show, here’s a front-row seat. Let’s cover everything you missed on the UNITED GRINDING side.
The show opener
We opened IMTS on Monday, September 14 at 10:15 a.m. with a special show opener featuring The Pack Drumline, a local group that was a finalist on America’s Got Talent and performed during the Super Bowl. As a result, anyone near the North Building of McCormick Place stopped by on Monday morning to see what was going on.
During the opener, Global Chief Sales Officer Markus Piber started the ceremony by addressing the crowd and talking about the importance of the North American manufacturing community—and the bright future we face together as UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS. President and CEO of UNITED GRINDING North America Markus Stolmar and President of UNITED MACHINING North America Onik Bhattacharyya each addressed the crowd, highlighting the meaningful inventions and global unveilings taking place on opening day. Following executive speeches, the audience was treated to an additional performance by The Pack Drumline and a 10 second countdown culminating in a dramatic unveiling of four never-before-seen machines to kick off the show.
The new machines
BLOHM had a global unveiling in the new MC5, a remarkably efficient and surprisingly compact traveling-column 5-axis profile grinding center built on the proven PROFIMAT platform.
STUDER, the famous cylindrical grinding division at UNITED GRINDING, showed the new S23 with a flexLoad automation cell for the first time at IMTS.
Not to be outdone, the tool grinding division at WALTER brought two new arrivals to IMTS 2026. The first, the HELITRONIC FUSION, was a global unveiling that was kept under wraps until the show began. The name is apt; it combines the best features of beloved WALTER tool grinders with a brand-new cross-bed design in a compact footprint.
WALTER also showed the new VISION LASER, a brazed diamond tool grinder that boasts state-of-the-art laser processing for optimal efficiency during tool production.
Also shown for the first time in North America was the WALTER Automatic Tool Production (ATP) automation system that leverages a specially designed robot loader cabinet and an automated mobile robot (AMR) to autonomously transport tool blanks and finished products to grinding and measuring machines and warehousing locations.
Even more machines!
For MÄGERLE, STUDER and WALTER, the precision grinding on the show floor didn’t stop there. Each division brought additional machines to IMTS to reinforce the wide-ranging capability and versatility of the equipment. The additional machines:
MÄGERLE:
- MFP 30: 5-axis multitasking grinding machine
STUDER
- S33: best-selling universal cylindrical grinder
- S41: the flagship universal cylindrical grinder
- S131r: versatile radius internal cylindrical grinder
WALTER
- HELITRONIC POWER DIAMOND 400: 2-in-1 grinding/eroding
- HELITRONIC MICRO: microtool grinder
- HELICHECK NANO: microtool measuring
High technology shines
Also on display was the innovative IOT Hub, which captures live data feeds from sensors embedded in the machines and utilizes complex algorithms to measure machine performance and offer insights into production optimization. Additionally, the UNITED GRINDING customer portal was on full display with a live demonstration of its direct connection to technical support and ability to directly order spare parts from available inventory.
More than machine tools
As usual, supporting the industry-leading precision grinding equipment at IMTS 2026 were impeccable people, technology and hospitality. UNITED GRINDING North America employees and dealer partners brought expertise and assurance that we are in it well after the sale is complete.
With IMTS 2026 in the rearview, all of us at UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS and UNITED GRINDING North America return to what we do best: supporting our customers as best we can to help ensure their success and longevity. Contact us anytime with questions or tell us about your application.