KUKA will highlight robotic machine tool automation through a series of integrated demonstrations featuring multiple CNC machine tool OEM partners. These applications will include EMAG, Matsuura and SYIL machines, each paired with a standardized KUKA robotic system to deliver flexible machine-tending solutions that simplify deployment across a range of production environments.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Michigan, April 30, 2026 - KUKA Robotics will showcase its advanced robotic automation solutions for machine tool tending, material handling and robotic milling with the company's OEM and integration partners at IMTS 2026 from Sept. 14-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Visitors to booth #236807 in the North Building will experience live demonstrations that showcase how KUKA is making automation easier and how its industrial robots, autonomous mobile platforms and partner technologies work together efficiently in real-world production environments.

KUKA will highlight robotic machine tool automation through a series of integrated demonstrations featuring multiple CNC machine tool OEM partners. These applications will include EMAG, Matsuura and SYIL machines, each paired with a standardized KUKA robotic system to deliver flexible machine-tending solutions that simplify deployment across a range of production environments.

For enhancing ease of operation for job shops, the SYIL machine tool will leverage Siemens SINUMERIK software with KUKA's mxAutomation to enable seamless control of both the CNC machines and KUKA robots from a single interface. KUKA will also demonstrate a full-service automation model in collaboration with Formic Automation to highlight how manufacturers can adopt robotic machine tending through a scalable, service-based approach that reduces complexity and supports evolving production needs.

As part of the machine tending demonstrations, KUKA System Partner Mairotec's MAIROFlex Compact 8 system, which features KUKA's KR CYBERTECH nano robot and AI vision technology, will pick large-diameter parts from a randomly assorted bin and place them onto the portable trays of KUKA's autonomous mobile platform, the KMP 600P. The system will then demonstrate automated machine tool tending by transporting the tooling to a lathe to illustrate a standardized robotic solution that combines 3D bin picking, mobile automation and seamless machine interaction within a single production cycle.

KUKA's material handling and finishing demonstration will showcase a fully integrated, multi-step process developed in collaboration with KUKA System Partner, Specialty Tooling Systems (STS). The KR TITAN ultra industrial robot will lift and position a large, heavy cast part, demonstrating high-payload handling capabilities for demanding industries such as automotive and heavy machinery. Supporting the process, the KMP 3000P will autonomously transport the part to a robotic finishing cell, where the KR TITAN will position it for processing. The KR FORTEC MT will then perform a robotic grinding application using advanced tooling to showcase high-performance surface finishing of large components. Together, these technologies illustrate how manufacturers can automate complex workflows from part delivery and positioning to precision finishing within a single, connected environment.

KUKA will also demonstrate advanced robotic machining processes from KUKA Systems, featuring the KR QUANTEC nano in a high-precision milling application. This demonstration highlights how robotic machining continues to evolve as a flexible and accurate solution for complex part production, enabling manufacturers to improve consistency, reduce manual intervention and adapt more easily to changing production requirements.

Additionally, attendees at IMTS can experience a live presentation on "CNC Driven Robotics: How Siemens and KUKA are Simplifying Automation for the Modern Shopfloor" with Ron Bergamin, Key Technology Manager for Machine Tool Automation at KUKA, and Tiansu Jing, Senior Product Manager at Siemens. The presentation takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 11:00 AM CST in room W192-A. The discussion will explore how these partners work together to make automated machine tending and part handling easier by reducing complexity, shortening setup time and enabling operators to manage both the machine tool and robot from a single platform.

All KUKA automation solutions, including those shown during IMTS 2026, are backed by the company's expert service and support for training, complete system engineering and simulation, readily available spare parts, robot refurbishment and more, all of which are easily accessible through the my.KUKA.com site.

KUKA
KUKA is an international automation group with sales of around EUR 3.7 billion and approximately 15,000 employees. As one of the world's leading suppliers of intelligent, resource-saving automation solutions, KUKA offers industrial robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMR) including controllers, software, and cloud-based digital services, as well as fully networked production systems for various industries - primarily for markets such as automotive with a focus on e-mobility & battery, electronics, metal & plastic, consumer goods, food, e-commerce, retail, and healthcare. The company is headquartered in Augsburg, Germany.