Irish manufacturers will have the opportunity to gain insights from some of the world's leading workholding specialists when the
National Workholding Symposium & Exhibition takes place at Future Mobility Campus Shannon, County Clare, on 10 November 2026.
The one-day technical event has been designed to demonstrate how modern workholding technologies can improve machining accuracy, productivity, repeatability and process reliability across a wide range of manufacturing applications. Bringing together experts from Blue Photon, Hainbuch, Lehmann, Mate, Tecnologie FRB, Tepas Vacuum, Walmag and ZeroClamp, the symposium will provide delegates with access to expertise spanning turning, milling, grinding, automation and precision engineering.
Organisers say the event aims to challenge the traditional view of workholding as simply a means of securing a component during machining. Instead, presentations and discussions will focus on the influence workholding has throughout the manufacturing process, affecting everything from set-up times and tool life to machine utilisation, quality and production security.
According to Lucy Jones, Event Manager of the National Workholding Symposium & Exhibition, manufacturers often overlook the importance of workholding when evaluating machining performance.
“Workholding is the foundation of every machining process, but its contribution is often considered after the machine and cutting tool decisions have already been made,” she said. “In reality, the way a component is held can influence virtually every aspect of the manufacturing result.
“Our objective is to bring outstanding international knowledge to Ireland and create a genuinely educational day around practical applications. We want delegates to leave with ideas and understanding that they can apply within their own businesses.”
The symposium will feature a broad spectrum of specialist technologies. Blue Photon will present its photo-activated adhesive workholding systems for difficult-to-hold and delicate components, while Hainbuch will showcase modular clamping systems designed to support rapid changeovers and high precision. Swiss company Lehmann will demonstrate high-precision CNC rotary tables for multi-axis machining, and Mate will highlight self-centring vices and zero-point workholding systems that help improve machine utilisation and setup consistency.
Other exhibitors include Tecnologie FRB, which specialises in live centres and face drivers for turning and grinding applications, Tepas Vacuum with its modular vacuum clamping solutions, Walmag with magnetic workholding technologies, and ZeroClamp, whose zero-point clamping and automation systems are designed to reduce set-up times and improve production flexibility.
Together, the participating companies will provide delegates with a comprehensive overview of how modern workholding solutions can be applied to overcome common manufacturing challenges.
Alongside the symposium programme, organisers are developing an Industry Partner initiative aimed at Ireland's cutting-tool sector. Subsidiaries, agents and distributors representing leading cutting-tool brands will be invited to participate, giving technical sales teams access to the latest workholding knowledge while helping strengthen understanding of the relationship between cutting tools, clamping systems and machining performance.
Jones said the initiative would encourage more informed discussions between suppliers and manufacturers. “Cutting-tool specialists have trusted relationships with manufacturers and are involved in machining conversations every day. Giving their teams access to leading workholding knowledge will help create better-informed discussions about the complete process.
“At the same time, the Industry Partner Guest Pass programme allows Industry Partners to offer their customers something of genuine technical value. Their teams become better informed, their customers gain access to international expertise and the wider manufacturing community benefits from stronger application knowledge.”
The event is being delivered in partnership with IDEAM, the Irish Digital Engineering & Manufacturing Cluster, strengthening links with manufacturers across Ireland's Midwest region.
Dr David Downey, IDEAM Industry Cluster Manager, said: “This partnership brings together international workholding expertise and the strength of Ireland's Midwest manufacturing network. Together, we are building an event that speaks directly to the practical priorities of the local industry, giving regional manufacturers access to world-class specialist knowledge close to home.”
Attendance is limited to 100 delegates. Early-booking tickets are priced at €175 until 30 September 2026, rising to €195 thereafter. Further information and registration details are available at
nationalworkholdingsymposium.ie