Automation Articles for Manufacturers and Engineers

The Gen 7 platform from Universal Robots combines the g-Series cobot arms with the company's the new CB7 Core controller, the TP7 Core teach pendant, the SP7 Smart Panel tool-flange interface, and the PolyScope X software platform.

Accelerating Physical AI Deployment on Factory Floors

Universal Robots to Demonstrate Gen 7 Robot Platform at Pack Expo 2026

At Pack Expo 2026 in Chicago, Universal Robots (UR) is showcasing its newly launched 7th-generation robotics platform, Gen 7. Designed out-of-the-box as an AI-ready system, Gen 7 represents a full-stack redesign from tool flange to controller, engineered to reduce integration friction and accelerate the deployment of physical AI on factory floors.

INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

Hinalea Imaging Corp.'s VNIR Core system is designed for industrial applications such as inspection equipment and machine vision systems.

Chemometric Hyperspectral Imaging for the Automation World

Hinalea Imaging Corp., a provider of intelligent hyperspectral imaging (HSI) solutions, announced the launch of the Hinalea VNIR CORE system, a compact, cost-effective imaging system for the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectral range designed to accelerate the industrialization of hyperspectral imaging.

Weidmüller's SNAP IN technology shown here in a PCB power electronics example.

Rewiring the Factory

As manufacturers extend the life of existing equipment and installations, connection technology and data are helping turn modernization into an opportunity for greater productivity.

ROBOTICS

Bosch Rexroth will showcase how the data-driven capabilities of its VarioFlow plus and VarioFlow belt conveyors manage product flow and meet CPG throughput goals.

Bosch Rexroth to Demonstrate Adaptable Factory Solutions at PACK EXPO 2026

Few industries face the kind of complex, constantly shifting trends and customer preferences that consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers deal with daily, and Bosch Rexroth will showcase a diverse display of drives, conveyors, palletizing and automation technology used in thousands of CPG operations across the globe.

At IMTS 2026, Vention displayed both physical AI and agentic AI in action.

Teaching Robots to Work in Plain English

Industrial automation has long demanded specialized expertise. Designing a robotic cell, programming its movements and validating that everything works together can require knowledge of robotics, controls and programming languages. Vention is betting that it doesn't have to be that way.

MOTION CONTROL

NORD offers reliable, high efficiency drive solutions that are highly configurable to specific packaging application requirements

NORD to Exhibit Packaging Drive Solutions at PACK EXPO 2026

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS will exhibit at Pack Expo 2026, highlighting their food- and washdown-compliant drives, highly configurable gear unit options, high-efficiency electric motors, variable frequency drives and plug-and-play control systems. matched to specific application requirements. Their complete solutions for the packaging industry will be on display in Booth N-4924 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.

CBS ArcSafe RRS-3 VY Toshiba remote racking unit, designed for safe distance operation of low- and medium-voltage rotary racking circuit breakers.

CBS ArcSafe Expands Worker Protection with New Remote Racking Unit

CBS ArcSafe, a manufacturer of remote racking and switching solutions for low- and medium-voltage switchgear, introduces the RRS-3 VY Toshiba. The remote racking system lets technicians operate Toshiba VY-30M25A circuit breakers (rotary racking only) from up to 300 feet away, putting them safely outside the arc flash boundary.

AI

Streamlining workflows: Eplan Copilot brings AI-powered search, quality checks, and technical support directly into the platform.

Eplan Platform 2027 Adds Smart AI Helper

The Eplan Platform 2027, first introduced back at the Eplan Next26 in May, is now live. Users of the engineering software benefit from faster results along the process steps of preplanning, electrical engineering and control cabinet design. Another added advantage is the integration of Eplan Copilot into the software. This new AI assistant is now anchored in the platform with Version 2027 and provides valuable support in day-to-day project work. In addition, the Eplan Platform is now even easier to integrate into existing IT environments.

Highlighting real-world deployments across 25,000+ assets, Azilen shows manufacturers how to bridge the gap between machine connectivity and automated intelligence.

Using AI and IoT Engineering to Drive High-Performance Manufacturing

Azilen Technologies is expanding its Industrial AI and IoT Engineering offering by bringing together sensorization, Industrial IoT, edge computing, and AI engineering to turn factory-floor signals into real-time operational intelligence. At IMTS 2026, the company demonstrated how machine data can move from real-time visibility to predictive insights and smarter production decisions.