Linda Marino

The long haul trucking or “Over the Road” (OTR) vehicle industry is no stranger to implementing modular tooling for their fixturing needs, especially in America.

Have you had a chance to see the film “Tomorrowland”? It’s a fun glimpse into the future and in many ways we are already there. The story includes a bunch of kids ready to see things very differently when they travel into the future and guess what, modular fixturing appears in the last few minutes of the film featuring a current automotive design studio. 

“Since the beginning, humans have searched for superior more practical methods to fulfill holding and clamping needs.” I said this a long time ago about modular tooling and the beat goes on.

Recently, I walked through the premier U.S. exposition featuring world class manufacturers of measuring systems in Chicago and modular fixturing is now even more popular than ever. I guess the concept is now a proven “missing link” and wrestling with parts and work holding challenges are nearly a thing of the past.

Let’s see a show of hands. Does everyone here know what modular tooling/fixturing is by now? If yes, are you an advocate yet? If no, why not? Still think it’s not good enough? Just Tinker Toy, Erector Set or Legos? Well, think again.