If you weren’t at the REGO-FIX Indy Days event that took place in May, you missed an anniversary milestone, the chance to learn about preparing for automation, and an opportunity to see an NTT INDYCAR racecar up close and personal.
Thing #1 – The Anniversary of the CME
Held at the REGO-FIX Center for Machining Excellence (CME), the event marked the second anniversary of the facility, which opened in 2024. The CME is where the manufacturing community meets for education and innovation through partnerships for the betterment of machining. The center differs from any other kind of manufacturing facility in that it provides a welcome environment for collaboration involving all part machining processes.
CME partners have full access to the 12,000 sq. ft./1,115 sq. m. state-of-the-art facility, which was designed to the same standards that make REGO-FIX legendary in Swiss-quality toolholding systems. Partner signage is prominently displayed throughout the building, along with a dedicated display area that provides room for live technology demonstrations from CME partners.
Besides opportunities to use REGO-FIX’s infrastructure and resources, CME partners have access to a fully furnished private office space, a storage area and an all-inclusive showroom with an adjoining hospitality spot for hosting educational events. The CME is also outfitted with an eye-catching 165-inch video wall in its auditorium and with cutting-edge audio/visual equipment for featured presentations and recordings.
Thing #2 – Proper Prepping for Automation
Speaking of the CME’s large state-of-the-art auditorium, the Indy Days event included several insightful and informative technical presentations from industry experts. One of which was given by Dylan Jackson, co-founder of Proteum Machining and host of the Within Tolerance podcast.
Speaking from his quick-turn, high-end prototyping shop’s personal experience, Jackson emphasized the need for prep work involving workholding, tooling and CAM that must be done well before any automation makes it to the production floor. This work, he explained, is key to success with automation.
For workholding, shops must eliminate the task of constantly indicating in workpieces. His shop accomplished this with zero-point type workholding that uses locating studs on vises, and the studs, in turn, mate with base plates to keep vices dialed in for every job setup. As a result, he hasn’t indicated in a vice for the past two years.
Inconsistent toolholders and varying tool stick-out lengths resulted in long prove-outs, increased risk of crashes, and the need to readjust speeds and feeds for every job. On top of this, the shop’s subpar holders generated too much runout and chatter, which led to scrap, poor surface finishes and broken tools. The solution was to standardize tools loaded in machine tool changers – keep the same tools, in the same positions, for every machine – and incorporate REGO-FIX powRgip® precision toolholders.
As the final step in its automation prework, Proteum Machining focused on using CAM software to create setup templates based on its most common job types. This made the company’s programming faster and more repeatable while giving its team more time to tackle complex, high-value work.
Thing #3 – REGO-FIX and Ed Carpenter Racing
Last but certainly not least, Indy Days showcased the REGO-FIX technical partnership with NTT INDYCAR’s Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) team. Like the CME, 2026 also marks the second anniversary of their continued partnership.
At the event, ECR Team CNC Machinist Scott Stukenborg was on hand, as was one of the team’s NTT INDYCAR Series racecars that sported the REGO-FIX logo. Stukenborg explained how REGO-FIX powRgrip® toolholders helped ECR overcome the intense challenges of high-speed machining. With these toolholders, the team maintains precision and critical surface finishes, extends tool life, minimizes tool runout and shortens cycle times for productive part processing.
While previous toolholders hindered high-speed operations, the team now machines parts at full 24,000 rpm spindle speed for the majority of the time, which would be impossible without the powRgrip® system. As a result, jobs that once took two or three weeks are now done in a couple of hours. Such capability allows the shop to mill more intricate car parts, including those it will eventually 3D metal print and finish cut on its milling machine.
Learn more about the REGO-FIX Center for Machining Excellence.