For manufacturers in food, beverage, and CPG, the end of the production line is often where efficiency bottlenecks surface first. Increased demand for faster production and persistent labor shortages, combined with continued reliance on manual labor for packing and palletizing, drive higher turnover, ergonomic risk, and inconsistent throughput.
At PACK EXPO East 2026 in Philadelphia, Vention demonstrated a different approach to end-of-line automation through live, production-grade system demos. Catch up on the key moments from the show and see how custom-fit packaging lines can be deployed quickly on a unified automation platform, without complex programming or fragmented integration.
One Plug-and-Play Ecosystem
Automating end-of-line systems often requires stitching together equipment from multiple vendors. Sourcing everything from case erectors, conveyors, case packers, case sealers, case laborers and palletizers from separate suppliers forces manufacturers to rely heavily on integrators, increasing compatibility risk, extending integration timelines, and raising total cost of ownership.
At PACK EXPO East, Vention demonstrated how manufacturers can use a single platform and partner to design, program, deploy, and operate custom-fit packaging lines without the cost and delays of traditional custom engineering. This ‘One Platform, One Partner’ approach resonated strongly with visitors, illustrating how complete end-of-line systems can be deployed in months rather than years, accelerating ROI while simplifying deployment and long-term support. In particular, Vention’s Industrial Palletizer and Adaptive Case Packer solutions were frequently discussed due to their ease and speed of deployment.
Attendees to the booth also got an opportunity to see Vention’s end-of-line ecosystem running live, including the latest Rapid Series Palletizer powered by MachineMotion AI, integrated conveyor systems, ergonomic workstations, and the Vention Gripper, all working together as a cohesive system rather than isolated components.
The 3rd Generation Rapid Series Palletizer Launched
PACK EXPO East marked the official launch of the 3rd Generation Rapid Series Palletizer, and it quickly became a focal point of the booth. This latest generation is built on the reach, mobility, and footprint efficiency of previous Rapid Series systems while introducing new software-driven capabilities designed for modern, high-mix operations.
Powered by MachineMotion AI, the new Rapid Series Palletizer supports multi-conveyor line configurations and features LTE connectivity for streamlined data access and machine monitoring through Remote View interface. Throughout the show, the system ran a variety of palletizing and depalletizing configurations for boxes, demonstrating the flexibility required for real-world packaging environments.
Beyond the hardware, the palletizing demos at the show highlighted Vention’s intuitive software platform, also used to power the Industrial Palletizer. Compared to traditional approaches, the platform makes building and deploying palletizing solutions simpler and faster. Visitors got hands-on with Vention’s Operate software suite, including Remote Support, Remote View, and MachineAnalytics, and experienced how production teams can connect with experts in minutes to reduce downtime. They also got an opportunity to try Vention’s intuitive MachineApp interface that enables operators to set up an unlimited number of SKUs and create pallet recipes in minutes. Together, the demos showed how Vention’s software simplifies day-to-day operations and supports teams long after deployment.
Expanded Conveyor Ecosystem, Designed for Faster Integration
At PACK EXPO East, Vention showcased its expanded Conveyor Ecosystem, designed for fast integration and rapid deployment. Built on a plug-and-play architecture, the system allows conveyors to connect seamlessly with one another, with other Vention automation solutions, and with existing equipment already on the factory floor.
At Vention’s booth, live conveyor zones formed part of a complete end-of-line system, letting visitors see how staging, transport, and palletizing connect seamlessly out of the box. The demonstrations highlighted O-Ring conveyors built for controlled accumulation and sequencing, where products move and stage without contact. The setup highlighted palletizing, tote handling, order fulfillment, and other material handling applications where precise flow control matters.
All conveyors at the show were powered by Vention Conveyor Motors, servo-driven and fully controlled by MachineMotion AI. Built-in sensor connectivity reduced wiring complexity and Vention’s MachineApp interface simplified programming, highlighting the capability to plug in, program, and ship conveyors in as little as two weeks.
Adaptability at the Pick Point with Adjustable Vacuum Grippers
High-mix production environments place constant pressure on end-of-line automation. Frequent SKU changes, varying package sizes, shifting weights, and different material types often force teams to stop lines for gripper swaps or rely on custom tooling for each new format. At PACK EXPO East, Vention demonstrated how this challenge can be addressed directly at the pick point.
The Adjustable Vacuum Grippers on display handled a wide range of products without changeovers. Field-adjustable components and configurable cup sizes allowed a single gripper to adapt quickly to different packaging formats. Live demos gave visitors a clear view of how flexibility can be built into the tooling itself rather than engineered around it, reducing downtime and increasing overall line resilience.
Beyond the Line: A Factory-Wide Automation Platform
While automation continues to expand, many end-of-line operations still rely on manual tasks such as packing, inspection, and kitting. At PACK EXPO East, Vention showcased how these stations can be designed quickly and deployed in days as production needs evolve.
Workstation demos focused on how easily custom setups can be created in Vention’s MachineBuilder platform Visitors saw ergonomic workstations configured directly in the browser, with layouts tailored to operators, tasks, and floor constraints in minutes. The stations on display also emphasized durability and flexibility. Built from Vention’s unified hardware ecosystem, they supported modular shelves, bins, and panels, and used rigid T-slot extrusions for higher payload capacity and vibration resistance.
Where to See Vention’s Modular and Physical AI Solutions Next: NVIDIA GTC 2026
Vention delivered a clear message in PACK EXPO East 2026. Whether manufacturers are automating a single station or an entire packaging line, speed, modularity, and platform consistency matter more than ever. The event also brought to focus the limits of traditional, rules-based automation. As variability increases and product mix expands, many manufacturing challenges extend beyond existing solutions. They need a new class of technology to address this gap.
This is where Physical AI comes in.
Join us at NVIDIA GTC 2026, the premier AI and automation event of the year, to explore Vention’s upcoming Physical AI lineup and see how these new capabilities open the door to automation in unstructured environments previously out of reach.
- When: March 16–19, 2026
- Where: San Jose, CA and Virtual
