A gantry system designed for fast setup and real savings
Festo has introduced the FPaKit — a pre-engineered gantry palletizing system that promises faster deployment and lower costs for small and midsized producers. For breweries struggling with labor shortages, packaging speed, and warehouse space, the FPaKit offers a new option for end-of-line automation without the expense or limitations of a cobot system.
A palletizer in a box
The FPaKit arrives as an all-in-one kit with preassembled mechanics, controls, and software. It’s available in three configurations based on load capacity — 44 lbs, 66 lbs, and up to 110 lbs. Each system handles between four and 10 boxes per minute. Unlike cobots, which often top out at lower payloads and limited reach, the FPaKit’s gantry design covers the entire pallet area with higher precision and speed. The setup also uses less floor space and features simple linear motion components that require minimal maintenance. From the press release:
CODI Manufacturing, Littleton, Colorado, is a machine builder in North America that recently applied the FPaKit. “We estimate the FPaKit saved 20 to 30 hours of engineering work and another 10 to 15 hours of assembly on our first machine,” said Matt Wetterlin, Controls Engineer, CODI. “The kit ensured all components, including drive, motors, and axes, were correctly sized and interoperate, something that is difficult to replicate manually by picking parts from a catalog. The software includes predictive analytics, which is a major market differentiator.”
Why it matters to breweries
Palletizing is one of the most repetitive, physically demanding jobs in a brewery. As wages rise and labor becomes harder to find, automating this step can reduce costs and injuries while keeping packaging lines running consistently. A gantry-based system like the FPaKit gives breweries a full-coverage solution that can handle cases of beer, shrink-wrapped packs, or variety boxes — all common in craft operations. With payloads up to 110 lbs, it can also manage heavier loads such as multipack cartons or kegs.
Plug-and-play installation
Each FPaKit includes sized axes, motors, servo drives, cables, and a hybrid edge controller preloaded with palletizing software. Builders or integrators mount the system to a frame, perform basic wiring, and then follow a guided software setup that requires no programming knowledge. Through a web browser interface, operators can create pack patterns with a one-click auto-generate tool, visualize pallets in 3D, and make real-time adjustments. Built-in limit checks and plausibility tests help prevent configuration errors. The FPaKit can connect to Festo’s Motion Insights analytics service, which monitors component performance and predicts when maintenance is due. That helps brewers reduce unplanned downtime and keep fewer spare parts on hand.
Competing with cobots
Collaborative robots have gained attention for their low initial cost, but they often sacrifice payload capacity and speed. The FPaKit matches the affordability of many cobot palletizers while offering higher throughput, full pallet access, and longer service life. For brewers looking to boost packaging output and cut manual handling without a major capital project, a pre-configured gantry kit could prove to be the sweet spot.
