GrindingHub 2026 demonstrated that technological advances in grinding technology can no longer be described solely in terms of higher spindle power, stiffer machine structures or finer grinding tools. The key trend lies in the functional integration of these individual components. Increasingly, the focus is shifting to the question of how process data, tool conditions, machine behaviour and measurement results can be fed back into one another. In this way, grinding processes can be carried out more stably, efficiently and reproducibly, and viewed as interconnected systems. Consequently, the focus of innovation is shifting from pure process design towards greater process control. The trade fair highlighted that grinding technology is moving towards more robust, digitally supported and, in some cases, adaptive process chains. Wema Glauchau, for example, demonstrated with the Wotan Dynamic Rest how a dynamic steady rest can actively compensate for positional deviations in long, flexible workpieces during machining. GMN also demonstrated with Idea-4X that condition data from the spindle is increasingly being utilised for monitoring, servicing and process evaluation. The aim is no longer simply to grind more accurately or more quickly, but to monitor the development of quality in real time, document it and, where necessary, influence it in a targeted manner.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly taking on the role of an

The grinding machines presented here demonstrate a significant expansion of the application areas they cater for. Alongside high-productivity series solutions, flexible machine concepts are gaining in importance, covering a wider range of workpieces, smaller batch sizes and easier operability. In this way, manufacturers are responding both to the shortage of skilled workers and to the increasing variety of product variants in many end-user industries. Machine concepts are no longer differentiated solely by the number of axes, size or spindle power, but increasingly by their integration into process chains, automation solutions and flexibility.

The Swiss grinding machine manufacturer Kellenberger, based in Goldach, is showcasing two machines – the K8 and the further-developed K10 – that exemplify this trend well. The K8 is designed as a standardised, cost-effective CNC cylindrical grinding machine for entry-level applications as well as for small and medium-sized production runs. It deliberately omits certain configuration options, but offers a stable, precision-oriented foundation with a one-piece machine bed, friction-reducing coated V-shaped flat guides on the Z-axis and high-resolution Fagor measuring systems. Unlike the larger series, the K8 does not have a loader interface and is therefore positioned more firmly as a robust, easily accessible standard machine. The K10, on the other hand, expands the cylindrical grinding portfolio towards greater flexibility and enhanced process support. The universal grinding head accommodates two external grinding wheels as well as a directly driven high-frequency internal grinding spindle with a maximum grinding wheel speed of 60,000 min-1.

This approach is also reflected in clamping technology. Flexible process chains require clamping systems that can securely hold components with varying geometries, hard-surface distortion or thin walls, whilst minimising deformation. The German clamping technology manufacturer Emuge, based in Lauf an der Pegnitz, showcased additively manufactured clamping sleeves for the flexible clamping of varying components. Emuge manufactures these clamping sleeves using laser deposition welding and integrates longitudinally running, meandering clamping segments as well as honeycomb structures, which would be difficult to achieve using conventional manufacturing processes. The design of these structures is FEM-based, enabling the targeted adjustment of radial expansions for internal clamping and radial constrictions for external clamping. This eliminates the need for separate rubber elements, which are frequently used in conventional clamping elements. The post-processing of the additively manufactured clamping sleeves using grinding technology plays a key role,

Building on such flexible clamping systems, machine and process chain concepts, a further trend emerged at GrindingHub 2026. Manufacturers are increasingly designing grinding machines and associated machining systems for autonomous production processes. The term ‘autonomous manufacturing’ should be used with technical caution in this context. It does not refer to a machine capable of making its own decisions, but rather to a production cell which, once set up, can operate stably and under supervision for extended periods with reduced manual intervention. As a result, the operator’s role is shifting more towards process preparation, monitoring and organisation, away from direct machine operation.

The Swiss machine tool manufacturer Rollomatic, based in Le Landeron, has addressed this trend with an automated tool grinding solution that combines a grinding machine, robotic handling and workpiece storage into a largely operator-independent production cell. The focus here was not on the individual automation components, but on the ability to produce different tools reproducibly over an extended period following initial set-up. Technologically, this marks the transition from the automated stand-alone machine to the autonomous tool production cell. This form of low-operator-intervention manufacturing is becoming increasingly important, particularly in tool grinding, where product variety, the need for skilled labour and quality requirements are high.

A similar approach is being taken with automated grinding wheel preparation at Häberle in Laichingen, a German specialist in CNC technology and robotic automation, in cooperation with Fanuc Germany in Neuhausen auf den Fildern, the German branch of the Japanese automation specialist. This approach combines spark-erosion dressing of conductive grinding wheel bonds with robotic handling, a set-up station and a digitally managed sequence of operations, thereby integrating the process more fully into an automated manufacturing environment. Depending on the tool dimensions, this enables up to 100 tools to be prepared for use autonomously. This approach reduces non-productive time, particularly when tools are changed frequently, and relieves the grinding machines of upstream dressing tasks.

Wema Glauchau demonstrated another example of more closely integrated process control with the Wotan Dynamic Rest. The grinding of long, cantilevered components is often associated with deflection, which can vary depending on the workpiece geometry and the grinding process. To provide greater support for the workpieces, steady rests are used. The dynamic centre not only supports long and slender workpieces but also enables active tracking to compensate for minimal positional deviations during machining. This represents a further development of what was previously a largely experience-based setting and support process towards a controlled workpiece guidance system. Technically speaking, this is a closed-loop approach to dynamic position correction in external cylindrical grinding. This is particularly relevant for long, flexible components, as workpiece position, deflection and roundness errors directly determine the achievable geometric accuracy.

The dynamic centre transmits the feedback directly to the workpiece’s support and position guidance. The same approach is also evident in the acquisition and evaluation of machine and spindle conditions. The focus here is less on the direct mechanical compensation of individual deviations and more on the structured acquisition, processing and utilisation of condition data as the basis for monitorable and, in the long term, more autonomous manufacturing processes.

With Idea-4X, GMN of Nuremberg has taken the concept of the sensor-integrated spindle a step further towards a networked spindle and data ecosystem. Whilst Idea-4S laid the foundations for the acquisition of spindle and condition data via a standardised IO-Link connection,

Machine condition monitoring is followed by process-oriented assessment of tool and component quality. Zoller, based in Pleidelsheim, presented a wide range of measurement, inspection and automation solutions for the grinding process. These include AI-supported solutions for assessing the wear on cutting tools. As a result, the assessment of tool condition is no longer dependent solely on the operator’s subjective judgement, but can be evaluated in a standardised, image-based manner. This allows wear conditions to be documented more reliably and provides a better basis for decisions regarding the continued use of tools. In addition, Zoller demonstrated approaches using measurement systems such as titan for the automated measurement of micro-tools, cutting edge characterisation and the assessment of surface finish on chip-forming surfaces. Measurement technology is thus increasingly evolving from a downstream inspection tool into an integral part of digitally supported quality control loops in tool manufacturing.

The start-up Metubiq, based at the University of Kassel, is pursuing a different approach to process-integrated measurement technology.

The grinding tools presented at GrindingHub 2026 focus on new technologies, application-specific developments and sustainable tool concepts. Numerous companies are addressing higher material removal rates, new bonding systems and approaches to resource-efficient tool concepts.

The Swiss grinding tool manufacturer Meister Abrasives, based in Andelfingen, presented an innovative organic bonding system called Fusion for precision machining. The new bonding system aims to combine increased removal rates with a high surface finish. It can be used in medical technology and in the precision machining of components subject to high loads.

Dr Kaiser from Celle presented the Eco-Wechselsystem, a modular dressing system in which the base body is reused and only