Festo Will Showcase Automation Tools at Chicago Expo
Festo will exhibit washdown-rated robotics and multi-axis systems at PACK EXPO in Chicago from October 18-21, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Robotics
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Festo Corporation will present new industrial automation hardware and software tools at PACK EXPO, scheduled for October 18-21, 2026, in Chicago. The display will feature technologies designed to shorten machine build cycles and simplify integration across various industrial control architectures.
Why it matters
Packaging original equipment manufacturers are increasingly seeking modular, pre-engineered solutions to minimize engineering overhead and complexity. These tools address those pain points by streamlining the transition from design to assembly.
The FPaKit multi-axis system reduces engineering effort by 20 to 30 hours and assembly time by 10 to 15 hours per build. The HPSX adaptive grippers support a maximum acceleration of 15 g and a weight capacity of 1.1 lbs.
The players
Festo Corporation
An international supplier of pneumatic and electrical automation technology for factory and process automation.
PMMI
The trade association for the packaging and processing technologies industry that manages Mechatronics Certifications.
The details
The Seamless Connectivity 2.0 system enables cross-platform operation by utilizing automatic addressing and initialization when switching between Rockwell, Siemens, and Beckhoff PLC (programmable logic controller — a ruggedized industrial computer that automates electromechanical processes) architectures. For hygiene-critical environments, the EPRF stainless-steel cylinder and the HPSX adaptive gripper family meet the IP69K high-pressure washdown rating. The FPaKit platform integrates axes, motors, drives, and controls into a pre-engineered package to reduce integration complexity.
Timeline
Festo will showcase its automation products at PACK EXPO in Chicago from October 18-21, 2026.
The Tech Race
PACK EXPO serves as the primary industry venue for showcasing advancements in automated packaging machinery and integration software. Festo's appearance follows the broader industry trend of prioritizing rapid deployment and cross-platform compatibility.
Packaging OEMs will gain access to pre-engineered kits that reduce machine development timelines by dozens of hours. These components, including washdown-rated grippers, will be available through the Festo FAST program, which facilitates next-day shipping from a Mason, Ohio facility.
The takeaway
The industry is shifting toward standardized, cross-compatible hardware to eliminate the integration bottlenecks that typically slow down machine production. Interested parties should track the adoption of Seamless Connectivity 2.0 across major PLC architectures to gauge if this becomes the new integration standard.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Robotics for industrial applications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Packaging World.
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