Columbus McKinnon to Demo Integrated Pallet Loop at Automate 2026

The Problem: Manufacturers Still Stitching Together Disparate Transport Systems

Most production lines run on a patchwork of conveyance technologies. A pallet moves on one system, transfers to another, then hits a buffer zone where nothing talks to anything else. Engineers spend too much time on custom integration and not enough on throughput.

Columbus McKinnon thinks it has a cleaner answer. At Automate 2026 in Chicago, June 22-25, the company will run a live integrated pallet loop at Booth 437 that chains together three distinct transport technologies from its Conveyance Solutions Group: Dorner, Garvey, and montratec. What They Are Showing

The centerpiece is a closed-loop pallet system that routes product across multiple conveyance types without manual intervention or custom middleware.

The loop includes:

- montratec's montrac shuttle system, an asynchronous transport platform where each carrier moves independently at its own speed and direction - Dorner's DualMove twin-strand pallet platform, which handles heavier loads by transferring weight directly through the frame to the floor - Dorner's ERT series conveyors, a low-back-pressure, noncontact zoned design for controlled movement

The demo is meant to prove that manufacturers can mix transport technologies for routing, transfers, and line balancing without building a bespoke control layer for every handoff. Dorner's Lineup

Beyond the loop, Dorner will show four systems:

- ERT 350 conveyor. Low-back-pressure, noncontact zoned design for high-load applications. The frame carries the load to the floor, which matters for pallet systems and assembly automation where deflection kills accuracy. - 2200 Series flat belt conveyor. General-purpose platform for standard manufacturing applications. - 2200 Precision Move conveyor. Built for positioning and indexing in assembly, inspection, and robotic integration. - FlexMove conveyors. Flexible chain design for layouts with elevation changes and tight floor space constraints. montratec's Shuttle System

montratec's montrac shuttle is an asynchronous transport system. Each carrier has onboard power and moves independently, so products can travel at different speeds and in different directions on the same track.

The modular design lets engineers rebalance lines, cut cycle times, and reconfigure layout or capacity without ripping out the whole system. It is already running in automotive, electronics, life sciences, and general manufacturing plants. Garvey's Accumulation Tech

Garvey will show the Infinity Rx 36 accumulation system, a noncontact handling design meant to cut back pressure and product damage in high-speed and precision applications. For lines running fragile components or tight tolerances, that matters. The Bigger Picture

Columbus McKinnon is packaging Dorner, Garvey, and montratec into a single portfolio under its Conveyance Solutions Group. The Automate demo is a statement that these brands are meant to work together, not compete.

Whether that integration is as seamless as the booth demo suggests is what engineers should judge for themselves at Booth 437.

M4S TAKE

My take: AI claims need scrutiny. The useful implementations reduce cycle time or defect rates in measurable ways. Vague promises about 'optimization' without specific metrics are usually marketing.

Simon McLoughlin