KUKA Robotics will display its automation solutions for packaging and food manufacturing at Pack Expo 2026, taking place Oct. 18-21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The company will operate booth #N-5530 with live demonstration cells and an interactive experience featuring the LBR iisy cobot and iiQKA.OS2 operating system.
Operating System and Simulation Tools
The iiQKA.OS2 operating system is described as scalable, customizable, and AI-capable, designed to meet ISO 10218:2025 and cyber-resilience requirements. KUKA's iiQWorks.Sim simulation software allows offline programming, testing, and optimization of cells before deployment, reducing risk and implementation time without interrupting production.
Case Erecting and Material Handling Demos
System partner Compendium Group will demonstrate robotic case erecting using two compact KR AGILUS six-axis robots working in tandem—one holding a carton while the second loads a cardboard insert. The cell uses KUKA.PLC mxAutomation programming software, which Compendium says enables "intuitive robot programming directly within the PLC environment to simplify integration, accelerate commissioning and provide greater flexibility."
FOCUS Integration will feature a double-sided CUBE robotic palletizing and depalletizing cell equipped with a KR IONTEC industrial robot and a KMP 1500P autonomous mobile robot (AMR). The double-sided configuration enables uninterrupted production by autonomously removing completed pallets while allowing palletizing to continue on the opposite side.
Acieta will demonstrate a KR20 R1820 robot from KUKA's KR CYBERTECH series for case blank loading, removing straps from bundles of flattened boxes before loading them into a case erector magazine.
Speaking Engagement
KUKA Account Manager Brendan Turner will speak at the Pack Expo 2026 Innovation Stage on Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 AM. His presentation, "From Napkin Sketch to Lights-Out Logistics: Building Autonomous Material Handling Systems," will cover AMR fleet management, interfacing with physical equipment, and software infrastructure. Turner will draw examples from food and beverage as well as automotive manufacturing to demonstrate how automation concepts scale on the plant floor.
Industry Implications
For food and beverage manufacturers considering automation upgrades, this showcase illustrates the range of tools now available—from collaborative robots suitable for human-adjacent work to fully autonomous systems that run without interruption. The focus on simulation and offline programming addresses a persistent industry pain point: minimizing downtime during system implementation.
For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.
Written by FBM Publications Editors
