FANUC expands US packaging robotics with AI and delta cells

FANUC America unveiled integrated food packaging robotics pairing voice-driven collaborative arms with stainless-steel delta units on Oct. 6, targeting labor constraints across North American processing plants.

Industrial robotics generated 44.1% of consolidated net sales of 857.8 billion yen ($5.5 billion) at parent company FANUC Corporation during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026.

The trade preview outlines demonstration systems bound for PACK EXPO International 2026 in Chicago. The presentation emphasizes flexible automation across primary food sorting, secondary boxing and end-of-line palletizing.

The central software development introduces natural-language speech programming to the factory floor. FANUC demonstrated the method on its CRX-20iA/L collaborative robot, which handles payloads up to 20 kilograms.

The voice-programming setup translates spoken operator instructions directly into executable Python code. Generative software models convert verbal commands into motion trajectories, bypassing manual scripting on handheld teach pendants.

Packagers can alter movement routines through conversation rather than line-by-line coding. Plant engineers can reconfigure work cells between production runs without dedicated programming specialists, FANUC America said.

Secondary packaging lines also incorporate the CRX-5iA and CRX-10iA collaborative models. These collaborative units operate in open workspaces without protective safety fencing, slowing down when sensors detect human presence.

For palletizing, the Japanese manufacturer expanded its collaborative portfolio with the CRX/30-18A robot. The updated unit carries a 40-kilogram payload capacity and uses integrated 3D vision guidance.

The palletizing unit employs a dual-case gripper to stack boxed goods onto shipping pallets. Increased payload limits allow the machine to lift heavier container batches without exceeding safe structural loads.

Primary processing lines rely on high-speed mechanical arms rather than collaborative units. For direct protein handling, FANUC demonstrated the DR-3iB/6 Stainless four-axis delta robot on conveyor belts.

Delta robots use parallel-link mechanical linkages suspended above conveyors to achieve rapid pick-and-place cycles. The configuration moves lightweight payloads across short vertical distances with minimal mechanical inertia.

The DR-3iB/6 Stainless model carries a six-kilogram payload capacity within a 1,200-millimeter cylindrical reach envelope. Its smooth exterior casing prevents liquid accumulation during washdown cycles.

The delta unit carries an IP69K ingress protection rating. That industrial rating certifies complete resistance against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets and harsh chemical sanitizers used in meat processing.

In the demonstrated work cell, the delta robot operates alongside an SR-12iA/C cleanroom SCARA robot to pack sausage links. SCARA mechanisms use rigid horizontal arms for fast planar positioning.

The SCARA unit provides a 12-kilogram payload capacity and a 900-millimeter operating reach. It loads sausage cartons while the overhead delta arm picks individual meat products from incoming belts.

The machines coordinate motion through FANUC's proprietary iRPickTool vision-tracking software. Mounted overhead cameras track moving conveyor belts to determine target coordinates for randomly oriented food items.

Tracking algorithms align vacuum suction cups with moving items in real time. The delta arm intercepts items without halting conveyor belts, maintaining line throughput during continuous production.

Additional demonstrations display frozen-food handling using the LR Mate Food Clean articulated arm. The compact six-axis unit packs frozen items into protective outer shipping cases.

Heavy material transfer uses the M-710/50-26D industrial robot, which carries a 50-kilogram payload capacity. The floor-mounted arm handles bulk container sorting and heavy crate palletizing before shipping.

The Oct. 6 announcement highlights system integration rather than brand-new delta hardware. FANUC originally introduced the DR-3iB delta series on Sept. 23, 2019, adding the stainless model on May 17, 2022.

The generative artificial intelligence features apply specifically to collaborative robot programming workflows. The washdown delta arms continue to operate on deterministic machine vision and fixed motion kinematics.

Food and consumer goods facilities across North America face persistent recruitment deficits on processing floors. Harsh sanitation regimes and cold packing environments drive high turnover among manual assembly workers.

Automation suppliers are targeting food processing because packing facilities remain less automated than automotive plants. Packaging cells allow processors to sustain operating speeds while lowering reliance on entry-level shift labor.

FANUC has not published separate revenue figures or order backlogs for its packaging automation division. Standalone sales figures for food-grade delta robots remain undisclosed in company filings.

PACK EXPO International 2026 opens Oct. 18 at McCormick Place in Chicago and runs through Oct. 21. Live equipment cells will operate at Booth N25217 throughout the four-day event.