Beckhoff Automation eliminates electrical cabinets and cuts XTS costs by 45 percent at PACK EXPO

A structural shift in packaging machinery design

For decades, the electrical cabinet has been the necessary anchor of any packaging line, dictating floor space, complicating cable routing, and adding layers of thermal management. At PACK EXPO International 2026, Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG is demonstrating that this anchor is no longer mandatory. Operating from Booth S-3682, the Verl-based technology provider is showcasing a suite of solutions that directly attack the physical and economic constraints of traditional machine building in the corrugated, paper, and packaging sectors.

The centerpiece of this architectural shift is the MX-System. By displacing traditional control cabinet components into machine-mounted IP67 modules, Beckhoff is fundamentally altering the electrical footprint of packaging machinery. For OEMs building case packers, cartoners, or complex converting lines, this means a drastic reduction in cable paths and a simplified engineering phase. The plug-and-play nature of these modules allows assembly by non-specialist personnel, a critical advantage in a 2026 labor market where skilled electrical technicians remain scarce.

Democratizing adaptive motion control

While cabinet-free architecture addresses the static footprint, Beckhoff's updates to its motion portfolio address the dynamic flow of materials. The XTS (eXtended Transport System) has long been a premium solution for high-speed, adaptive packaging lines. However, the introduction of the XTS EcoLine motor modules marks a significant strategic pivot. Beckhoff states that the EcoLine offers approximately 95 percent of the typical XTS functionality at up to 45 percent lower cost.

This aggressive pricing strategy opens the door for adaptive motion in mid-tier packaging applications that previously relied on rigid, mechanical indexing. When combined with the XTS No Cable Technology (NCT)—which provides power and data directly to the moving end effectors—machine builders can now design dynamic, multi-robot systems for carton erecting and product loading without the prohibitive price tag of legacy linear transport systems. Furthermore, the integration of XPlanar's 6D flying motion technology continues to offer frictionless, automated path planning for the most demanding hygienic or complex routing environments.

Practical AI for the engineering floor

Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of Beckhoff's 2026 showcase is its approach to Artificial Intelligence. Rather than abstract buzzwords, the company is presenting TwinCAT CoAgent, a tool that integrates AI agents and Large Language Models (LLMs) directly into the engineering and programming workflow. This is not generative AI for marketing; it is a digital assistant designed to take the drudgery out of PLC programming, system diagnostics, and troubleshooting.

By allowing engineers to utilize various LLMs—from cloud-based to local models—TwinCAT CoAgent optimizes resource allocation during the machine development phase. For packaging manufacturers, this translates to faster commissioning times and more resilient software architectures, as the AI assists in writing cleaner, standardized code for complex vision and motion tasks.

The integration extends to Beckhoff's machine vision portfolio, which now runs synchronously with PLC logic on the same machine controller. This unified ecosystem eliminates the need for separate vision PCs, further reducing the hardware footprint and simplifying the automation architecture for end-users in the paper and packaging converting space.

The transition toward decentralized, cabinet-free automation is not just a hardware update; it is a necessary evolution to build leaner, more adaptable packaging lines in an increasingly cost-sensitive market. How quickly will legacy OEMs abandon their traditional cabinet designs to embrace this modular, IP67-driven architecture? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai