Festo Confronts Automation Integration Challenges at Automate 2026

At the recent Automate 2026 exhibition, Festo showcased its solutions to address the growing demands on original equipment manufacturers and system integrators. The company presented initiatives and technologies aimed at solving deployment and integration challenges in automation projects.

The complexity of machines is putting pressure on OEMs and system integrators. Machines are becoming increasingly complex with more devices, networks, and flexible production requirements. This increases the burden on engineering teams to work within limited technical resources and keep projects moving forward.

Festo’s exhibits at Automate 2026 highlighted its focus on addressing these challenges through various technologies and initiatives. The showcase included motion control, handling systems, connectivity, engineering tools, and workforce development solutions designed to improve startup visibility and reduce integration effort.

One of the key products showcased by Festo was its next-generation VTUX valve terminal platform. This IP67-rated platform integrates pneumatic control, vacuum generation, and I/O into a lightweight modular design that can be mounted directly near the application.

The benefits of this integration include reduced tubing runs, cabinet space, installation effort, and the number of separate automation components required on the machine. Festo’s VTUX terminal also features integrated vacuum monitoring, which improves troubleshooting visibility while helping to reduce compressed air consumption.

This compact design makes it ideal for end-of-arm tooling applications. Festo has further enhanced its VTUX platform with the introduction of a new CTED multi-protocol interface allowing direct connection to Industrial Ethernet networks.

The CTED module supports multiple control environments, including EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, PROFIBUS, and CC-Link. This flexibility enables manufacturers to adapt their systems more easily to changing production requirements by eliminating the need for designing automation architectures around a single standard.

Another critical aspect of robotic performance in high-mix production environments is end-of-arm gripping systems. Festo showcased adaptive gripping and vacuum technologies that improve handling reliability while simplifying end-of-arm integration.

The company’s HPSX adaptive gripper uses food-safe silicone fingers to handle delicate and irregularly shaped products without requiring tool changes. This makes the HPSX well-suited for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Festo also demonstrated its Simplified Motion Series of electric actuators which combines motor and drive into a single integrated motion package commissioned directly on the device without specialized software. This design simplifies commissioning, reduces complexity, and is more cost-effective compared to traditional electric automation systems.

The SMS series includes various configurations such as toothed belt axes, spindle axes, mini slides, electric cylinders, and rotary drives. These actuators support digital I/O and IO-Link connectivity enabling remote parameterization, backup functions, and process monitoring while reducing commissioning effort and engineering overhead.

Festo also showcased its engineering tools designed to automate workflows for designers working on component sizing, compatibility verification, accessory selection, documentation, and ordering across multiple systems. These tools compress these workflows from hours into minutes allowing engineers to configure multi-axis handling systems, size electric and pneumatic motion components, access CAD models, validate compatible accessories, generate quotations, and simplify ordering within a connected engineering environment.

These engineering tools also help reduce deployment risk by ensuring selected components and accessories are interoperable before systems are built or commissioned. Additionally, they preserve project configurations for future modification, expansion, or reorder, helping manufacturers to adapt their systems more easily to changing production requirements.

Festo’s Didactic learning system supports workforce development through hands-on mechatronics and industrial automation training tailored to the needs of manufacturers, OEMs, and technical education programs. The MPS 400 learning system is a modular Industry 4.0 learning factory that provides experiential training in automation technology, intelligent machine networking, IO-Link connectivity, and modern mechatronics workflows used throughout advanced manufacturing environments.

Festo has been continuously elevating the state of manufacturing with innovations and optimized motion control solutions for over 100 years. With more than 50 years of presence in the U.S., Festo prepares workers for current and future manufacturing technologies through its Didactic Learning Systems and partners.