Automate was held May 12-15, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.
Packaging’s next chapter was on display with innovations in material handling, robotics, and technology.
mk North America’s SPU 2040 is a recirculating pallet system that uses pneumatic stops to lift and locate. It can be commissioned in around 10 weeks. Source: Sarah Wynn mk North America’s recirculating pallet system works in any application where two machines need to be combined. The company says it’s available in two different chain widths and can reduce downtime in your facility. Source: Sarah Wynn mk North America’s recirculating pallet system works in any application where two machines need to be combined. The company says it’s available in two different chain widths and can reduce downtime in your facility. Source: Sarah Wynn mk North America’s VersaFlex AP10 pallet conveyor features a stop setup with singulation and lift-and-locate technology. Source: Sarah Wynn Cory Santor, inside sales manager for mk North America, stands next to the company’s SPU 2040, a recirculating pallet system that utilizes pneumatic stops to transport goods. Source: Sarah Wynnmk North America displayed its shuttle system for simple pick-and-place operations. It’s capable of moving small boxes and parcels for packaging and is made possible through a collaboration between MK and IGUS’ RBTX platform. Source: Sarah Wynn Scott Blais Jr., sales and development manager at mk North America, poses with the company’s shuttle system, an energy-efficient machine that reduces usage. Source: Sarah Wynn TOMA, part of Premiere Tech, demonstrated its PAL Series palletizer which is specifically designed for end-of-line packaging applications. Source: Sarah Wynn TOMA’s PAL Series palletizer can be integrated into existing packaging lines for end-of-line operations. It’s capable of handling a payload of up to 55 pounds and can run up to eight cycles per minute. Source: Sarah Wynn TOMA’s Antoine Pilon (left) and Anthony Siblall (right) pose at Automate in Detroit, Michigan, in front of the company’s PAL Series palletizer, designed for end-of-line packaging applications. Pilon is the company’s market development manager and Siblall is the vice president of strategic development. Source: Sarah WynnBosch Rexroth demonstrated their Cartesian linear motion system at Automate. It’s designed for precise and reliable positioning in high-speed packaging applications. Source: Sarah WynnBosch Rexroth displayed its integrated measuring system which incorporates linear feedback that is built in directly to the linear rail. Its compact size offers unlimited length, according to the company. Source: Sarah WynnBosch Rexroth displayed its ctrlX Drive at Automate 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. It can integrate easily into existing packaging lines while boosting efficiency. Source: Sarah WynnBosch Rexroth displayed a variety of control solutions including its ctrlX Drive, which provides scalable motion control that can simplify integration on packaging lines. Source: Sarah Wynn Bosch Rexroth spotlighted the design tools of its MTPro software. In the demo, the company built a VarioFlow belt conveyor, which offers gentle transport and is ideal for delicate items along with larger products. Source: Sarah WynnHighlighting its conveyance solutions, Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX Flow can tilt, rotate and be implemented in packaging for various operations including bottling. Using magnets, it levitates up to 20 millimeters and offers a 6-kilogram payload. Source: Sarah WynnSchneider Electric introduced its CoPilot, made possible through a partnership with Microsoft, an AI-powered prototype to assist in industrial automation. Schneider Electric displayed several robotic solutions for industrial automation at Automate 2025 in Detroit, Michigan, including a system that moves boxes with speed and precision. Source: Sarah WynnSchneider Electric demoed a robotic pick-and-place system at Automate, using macarons to show precision and repeatable handling for delicate products. Source: Sarah WynnSchneider Electric displayed a variety of solutions at its booth at Automate in Detroit, Michigan, including a system for bottle filling in automation settings. Source: Sarah Wynn A photo of the Automate 2025 show floor in Detroit, featuring signage from SEW Eurodrive, Smart Vision Lights, and Canon. Source: Sarah Wynn SEW Eurodrive USA showcased a machine moving boxes to highlight their motion control solutions for efficient packaging line automation. Source: Sarah WynnSEW Eurodrive USA showcased the variety of modular gearmotors at Automate in Detroit, Michigan. Source: Sarah WynnSick Sensor Intelligence highlighted a range of sensor technologies at its Automate booth in Detroit, Michigan, including this model which assists in object detection. Source: Sarah Wynn Sick Sensor Intelligence highlighted its Ryklers3000, which can provide high-resolution 3D vision for detailed inspections on fast-paced packaging lines. Source: Sarah Wynn Sick Sensor Intelligence displayed a variety of sensors for packaging applications including its Visionary Mini-T. A compact solution that offers 3D vision sensing. Source: Sarah WynnBellco Feeders highlighted a custom vibratory bowl feeders that shows all of the company’s specialties, including machine design and custom escapement. Source: Sarah WynnBellco Feeder’s vibratory bowl feeder for O-rings, the company says they are experts in O-ring presentations of various sizes. Source: Sarah WynnBellco Feeders introduced its new flex feeder at Automate 2025. It orients parts so a robot can safely pick them up from the top, as it can shift parts back and forth. Source: Sarah WynnAt Automate in Detroit, Bellco Feeders demonstrated a custom vibratory bowl feeder that was specially designed for a client to include custom escapement. Source: Sarah Wynn Zebra Technologies demonstrated its Aurora Velocity scan tunnel, capable of reading barcodes and RFID tags in packaging and logistics environments. Source: Sarah WynnXemelgo’s director of growth, Garrett Gross, showcases the collaboration with Zebra Technologies by holding an RFID handheld scanner capable of fast, accurate tracking of products. Source: Sarah Wynn Zebra Technologies’ Aurora Velocity scan tunnel is vision-based and can read a variety of barcodes including 2D, along with radio frequency identification technology (RFID) tags. Source: Sarah WynnShaltz Automation was part of Piab Group’s booth at Automate 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. The company demonstrated an end-of-line palletizer that features 10 kilograms of payload UR robot. Source: Sarah WynnDirect Conveyors demonstrated its ViTrans system that’s capable of high-speed product transfers and is optimized for sooth flow. Source: Sarah WynnNovakon’s sales director, Vincent Shao, poses next to the company’s industrial panel that pairs HMI functionality with an industrial design. Source: Sarah Wynn Novakon’s industrial panel combines human machine interface (HMI) functionality with a rugged design, built for demanding environments like the packaging floor. The company is based in Taiwan. Source: Sarah WynnA variety of photoelectric sensors were on display at Pepperl+Fuchs booth at Automate 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Source: Sarah WynnPepperl+Fuchs highlighted its radio frequency identification (RFID) tracking and tracing capabilities at its Automate booth. Source: Sarah WynnSteve Kinney, Smart Vision Light’s director of training and compliance, poses in front of a group of custom light fixtures at Automate 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Smart Vision Lights lit up Automate, literally. The company highlighted its lighting solutions that are designed to enhance machine vision accuracy. Source: Sarah Wynn Smart Vision Lights showcased a variety of light fixtures for machine vision in industrial automation at Automate in Detroit, Michigan. Source: Sarah WynnCreative Automation’s cell demonstrated precise handling and movement of batteries in and out of a box. Source: Sarah Wynn Gray AES demonstrated a cell that the company had deployed for use in pet food. The system picks up cans, shakes, punctures, and checks for defects. Source: Sarah WynnToyo Automation, a Taiwanese manufacturer of electric actuators, displayed a cell featuring MG actuators to make a vertical gantry. Source: Sarah WynnNason’s Automate booth featured a setup of automation equipment in motion, strapped to a show table. Source: Sarah WynnComposabl’s CEO Kence Anderson spoke to Packaging OEM about how the AI-powered platform can help manufacturers implement processes to reduce materials. Source: Sarah Wynn Automate 2025 was held May 12-15 in Detroit, Michigan, at Huntington Place. The event featured more than 800 exhibitors from across the globe. Source: Sarah WynnNewsletter Banner
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