Webinar: Overcoming Automation Barriers in Metalworking: A Practical Guide for Machine Shops by Gardner Business Media, Inc. Webinars

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About This Webinar

Labor shortages, rising production demands, and pressure to increase throughput with limited resources are challenges most machine shops know well. For many small and midsize operations, traditional automation has felt out of reach, often requiring substantial capital investment, specialized engineering expertise, and lengthy implementation timelines. This webinar examines how that calculus is changing. Service-based models, including robots as a service (RaaS), may allow manufacturers to deploy machine tending in weeks rather than months, treat costs as operating expenses rather than capital investments, and limit the need for in-house robotics expertise. Attendees will gain a grounded, practical look at the barriers that have historically held shops back, the conditions under which newer models can help address them, and what real-world adoption actually looks like on the shop floor. Whether you're actively evaluating automation or simply staying informed, this session offers a practical framework for thinking through your options.

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Agenda

The labor and productivity pressures most commonly driving automation adoption in metalworking today
The barriers associated with traditional automation approaches and how service-based models change the financial and operational calculus
How RaaS and fully supported deployment works in practice, including who handles maintenance, programming, and production variability
What time to value looks like for shops that have made this shift, and how they're measuring results
How to assess whether your operation is a strong candidate for this type of deployment
Key trends shaping where shop floor automation is headed
How collaborative industry efforts are working to make automation more accessible for shops of all sizes

Presenters

Ron Bergamin

Key Technology Manager - Machine Tool Automation

Ron is the key technology manager for machine tool automation at KUKA Robotics Corporation. With 30 years of experience in robotic and CNC controls, Ron brings a unique perspective to help customers automate their machine tool processes. Ron also has extensive experience with various robotic applications that require a high degree of path and/or position performance, ranging from ultra-safe entertainment to tight tolerance aerospace processes.

Philip Peloso

KUKA Key Account Manager - Machine Tool Automation

Philip Peloso is the key account manager for machine tool automation at KUKA Robotics Corp. With more than three decades in industrial robotics and automation, Philip combines hands-on experience with a strong passion for helping manufacturers modernize their operations. His approach is grounded in collaboration — showing up, listening and working closely with partners and customers to drive meaningful results. Philip focuses on enabling practical, scalable automation strategies that support productivity, flexibility and long-term manufacturing success.

Allan Gibson

Head of Product Innovation, Formic

Allan Gibson is head of product innovation at Formic and founder and CEO of OperationsCatalyst. With 16 years of experience in robotics, Gibson previously served as director of advanced robotics at Estée Lauder Cos., where he led cutting-edge automation initiatives. He also built and led global automation and robotics programs at Stanley Black & Decker.

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