PRI Show: 2023 Machinery Row Preview: Connect & DiscoverPerformance Racing Industry

Mike Magda

August 1, 2023

PRI Show: 2023 Machinery Row Preview: Connect & Discover

Machinery Row at the PRI Show offers an invaluable opportunity to see ground-breaking innovations that help engine builders, racers, fabricators, and manufacturers complete their jobs faster and easier.

When Anthony Usher was selling valve-seat-and-guide machines more than 35 years ago, he literally put one in the back of his truck and drove around to different engine builders.

“I had trouble trying to explain these machines to people over the phone,” recalled Usher, who now runs MEC CNC—an American company that distributes Robins cylinder head machining equipment. “So I took this machine to their shops and told them to give me some heads to work on. Then they wouldn’t let me leave without selling them a machine.”

That kind of personal one-on-one connection helps draw hundreds of manufacturers and thousands of potential customers to Machinery Row at the PRI Show, which takes place this year December 7–9, at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“I love the PRI Show,” added Usher, who will be showing off the new Robins GH8 SMART valve-guide honing machine that is featured on this month’s cover. “I wish we had one every month. People really get excited at these Shows. You can send them brochures, videos, emails, and it doesn’t mean much until they actually see the machines in action.”

Machinery Row typically corrals around 100 exhibitors at the PRI Show into one area of the Indiana Convention Center, making it easy for engine builders, fabricators, welders, race teams, and manufacturers to view the latest in equipment that serves their needs.

“When you go to PRI, it gives you the ability to look at tons of products at one time and really get a feel for the build quality and whether it’s going to work for your needs,” said Brian Springmeier of Mittler Bros. Machine & Tool, Wright City, Missouri. “The PRI Show is always really good for us because we can talk to people about the equipment and the individual pieces, whereas that’s difficult to do over the phone.”

New CNC machines are often the big draw at Machinery Row because most are in action—showing off new tooling and software upgrades by cutting billet cylinder heads or other engine products. The benefits of CNC machines are well known, but it still takes a strong sales pitch to convince some Show goers.

“The machining center systems put the customer in control of their shop,” explained John Cowher of Centroid, Howard, Pennsylvania. “There’s no more outsourcing of work, saving valuable turnaround time for parts. It allows for in-house R&D with part prototyping. Additionally, since the machine is a CNC machine, it is like another employee. While it is making the parts, the shop guys can go onto doing other things.”

Automation versus manual is often a difficult choice for some customers who want personal control over the machine’s operation. So, many of today’s machines have computer controls as well as manual operation.

“A machine will perform a lot better if a computer helps it,” said Usher, adding that the GH8 honing machine will be offered in both manual and automated versions because “there’s still a demand for manual machines. Sometimes we call them manual, but inside they have electronics that help do a better job.”

View the list of 2023 Machinery Row exhibitors.