Image: A coordinated work cell featuring FANUC CRX-20iA/L, CRX-10iA and CRX-5iA collaborative robots demonstrate an end-to-end packaging workflow at the PACK EXPO International 2026 show in Chicago Oct. 18-21.
FANUC America will showcase artificial intelligence (AI), collaborative robotics and machine vision technologies designed to help packaging and processing manufacturers address labour shortages, simplify product handling and automate packaging operations at PACK EXPO International 2026 in Chicago (18-21 October).
At Booth N25217, the company will demonstrate applications including package verification, food-grade processing, packaging and palletising.
AI-assisted robot programming
One demonstration features a FANUC CRX-20iA collaborative robot responding to natural-language commands. Generative AI translates verbal instructions into Python code and robot actions, demonstrating how AI-assisted programming could simplify robot deployment and reduce programming complexity.
Another application uses a CRX-10iA/L collaborative robot with dynamic motion planning, machine vision and barcode verification. The system presents packages for scanning while automatically adjusting its path around workers sharing the workspace.
Collaborative packaging automation
FANUC will also demonstrate a coordinated work cell using CRX-20iA/L, CRX-10iA and CRX-5iA cobots. The system combines vision-guided picking, label orientation verification, packing and palletising in a single workflow.
A CRX/30-18A collaborative robot will demonstrate high-payload palletising with a 40 kg capacity. The system uses integrated 3D vision guidance and a dual-case gripper to handle larger loads.
Food-grade automation
Food processing applications include the DR-3iB/6 Stainless IP69K-rated delta robot and food-grade SR-12iA/C SCARA robot, which coordinate the high-speed placement of sausage links into packages.
A FANUC LR Mate Food Clean robot will demonstrate vision-guided case packing of frozen protein products, using iRVision and iRPickTool to identify randomly oriented packages on a moving conveyor and place them into cases.
The M-710/50-26D Food Option robot will demonstrate automated palletising of food products using PalletTool 3 software, with a 50 kg payload capacity and NVIDIA Isaac Sim digital twin visualisation.
Other technologies on display will include visual conveyor tracking, FANUC's R-50iA and R-30iB Mini Plus controller platforms, and applications for high-speed packaging automation.
