March 16, 2026 — Vention, creator of the world’s only full-stack software and hardware automation platform, today announced the commercial launch of Rapid Operator AI, a solution designed to automate complex, unstructured tasks, beginning with deep bin picking.

The launch marks a significant evolution from last year's GTC technical showcase debut of AI Operator as physical AI for unstructured tasks. Rapid Operator AI transforms that concept into a turnkey industrial system built on Vention’s Generalized Robotic Industrial Intelligence Pipeline (GRIIP™) and engineered for immediate deployment in production environments.

Enabling Scalable Automation for High-Variability Manufacturing

Rapid Operator AI is engineered for mid-market and enterprise manufacturers operating multi-shift facilities where labor shortages and high production variability create operational strain. These applications were previously difficult or economically impractical to automate due to part randomness, clutter, occlusions, and variability in presentation.

By combining a standardized core architecture with configurable deployment, Rapid Operator AI enables manufacturers to replicate automation across facilities while maintaining flexibility for site-specific requirements.

“Manufacturers face two persistent hidden costs: automation that cannot adapt and dependence on scarce skilled labor,” said Etienne Lacroix, Founder and CEO of Vention. “Built on GRIIP, our production-grade AI foundation, Rapid Operator AI brings adaptive intelligence to highly unstructured deep bin picking. It delivers flexible, scalable automation that deploys in days, reduces reliance on specialized labor, and provides manufacturers with a faster, more predictable path to ROI.”

Powered by GRIIP™: A Generalized AI Pipeline for Industrial Robotics

At its core, Rapid Operator AI is powered by GRIIP™, Vention’s Generalized Robotic Industrial Intelligence Pipeline. GRIIP delivers a unified pipeline from perception to motion by integrating Vention’s proprietary models with open models, specifically NVIDIA FoundationStereo for stereo matching, and NVIDIA FoundationPose for pose estimation.

The system allows robots to:

• Detect randomly oriented parts in dense clutter, estimate precise 6-DoF pose, and plan collision-free grasps.
• Execute autonomous picks with adaptive retries for reliable, multi-shift operation with minimal supervision.
• Support opaque, translucent, and transparent materials; perform in bright light, low light, or darkness; handle containers up to 24” deep.

The solution achieves up to 99% first-pick success rates depending on part geometry and bin configuration. It automatically retries failed picks and empties bins fully, supporting around the clock industrial operations.

New SKUs can be onboarded directly through CAD file configuration, eliminating model retraining cycles and enabling rapid production changeovers.

A Fully Integrated AI Stack

Rapid Operator AI is architected as a vertically integrated ecosystem where hardware, vision, motion control, and AI are engineered and deployed as a single validated system, removing the complexity of assembling fragmented components.

Operators interact with the system through the Vention platform: designing cells in MachineBuilder, deploying them in MachineLogic, and operating and optimizing performance through the proprietary pendant interface.

By combining validated pipeline reliability with Vention’s full-stack platform, Rapid Operator AI unlocks scalable deployment and represents a step-change in the economics of physical AI.

The Rapid Operator AI will be showcased this week at NVIDIA GTC 2026 in San Jose, March 16–19.

For more information, visit

Taunton, MA Mar 26, 2026– As snack-size cheese formats continue to multiply across retail shelves, packaging lines are under increasing pressure to deliver higher speeds, tighter weight accuracy, and the flexibility to run growing SKU variety. At CheeseCon 2026, Harpak‑ULMA Packaging will demonstrate an integrated weigh‑to‑bag architecture designed to stabilize filling accuracy, reduce product giveaway, and simplify snack cheese production lines.

The company will exhibit in a 30 × 50 booth—an expansion from its previous 30 × 30 footprint—allowing additional equipment demonstrations and a broader look at integrated automation technologies built specifically for cheese processors. The expanded presence reflects continued growth in cheese consumption and snacking behavior. U.S. per‑capita cheese consumption reached a record 42.3 pounds in 2023, underscoring sustained category demand. At the same time, eating habits are shifting toward portable, protein‑rich snacks. Research shows 56% of consumers replace meals with snacks at least occasionally, while 76% report snacking as a regular eating behavior.

Integrated Multi‑Head Weigher and VFFS Architecture

A central highlight of the booth will be the first CheeseCon demonstration of a fully integrated Harpack-ULMA multi‑head weigher mounted above a vertical form‑fill‑seal (VFFS) bagger on an elevated platform. While multi‑head weighers and vertical baggers are commonly deployed independently, the configuration on display emphasizes the value of tightly integrated weighing‑to‑bagging architecture for snack cheese production.

Snackable cheese formats—such as cubes, shreds, and snack blends—introduce variability in product density, flow characteristics, and fill accuracy. When weighing and bagging operate as separate processes, variability is introduced. This can force processors to compensate by oversizing film bags or increasing product giveaway to maintain labeled weights. Integrating the multi‑head weigher directly with the VFFS bagger stabilizes the system and the entire fill‑to‑bag process -- while minimizing the need for compensatory packaging adjustments.

Operational advantages include:
• Higher weighing accuracy, reducing product giveaway
• Lower fill‑weight variability enabling tighter bag sizing
• Improved throughput stability at higher production speeds
• Compact vertical integration that simplifies line layout
• Reduced need for film oversizing caused by inconsistent fills

The vertical configuration also reduces product transfer distance, helping maintain product integrity for fragile formats such as diced or cubed cheese.

Managing Increasing SKU Complexity

As brands introduce new flavors, snack blends, and portion sizes, cheese processors are increasingly operating high‑mix production environments. Packaging systems must therefore support rapid changeovers while maintaining accuracy and throughput. At CheeseCon, Harpak‑ULMA will showcase equipment configurations designed to help processors run multiple cheese formats on shared packaging platforms, maintain consistent fill accuracy across varying product densities, and integrate weighing, bagging, and downstream automation into a streamlined production architecture.

Industry estimates place the U.S. cheese snacks market at approximately $24.3 billion, reflecting the continued expansion of portion‑controlled cheese formats. Consumer demand trends reinforce this momentum. Surveys show 61% of consumers actively seek high‑protein snacks, while 64.1% look for snacks perceived as “good for them,” fueling continued product innovation in portion‑controlled and mixed snack formats.

“Snack cheese formats are introducing new levels of variability on packaging lines,” said Mike Marchand, Sr Product Manager at Harpak‑ULMA Packaging. “Tightly integrating the multi‑head weigher with the vertical bagger helps processors stabilize fill accuracy, reduce giveaway, and run high‑mix snack formats much more efficiently. That integrated architecture is becoming essential as snack cheese continues to scale.”

Technical Presentation at CheeseCon

In addition to the expanded exhibit, Matt Tresp, Regional Sales Manager, will present the From Shreds to Snacks: Scaling Cheese Packaging Without Sacrificing Margins- detailing the operational challenges associated with scaling snack cheese packaging. The presentation will address:
• Managing fill variability in snack cheese formats
• Reducing film oversizing driven by inconsistent fills
• Improving throughput while maintaining weighing accuracy
• Packaging architectures that support increasing SKU variety

Visit Harpak‑ULMA at CheeseCon

Attendees can see these technologies firsthand at Booth 1601 during CheeseCon Expo 2026, April 15–17 in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information https://www.harpak-ulma.com/weighing-portioning-and-loading-equipment/ or call (508) 884-2500. Experience a live demonstration of packaging technologies at one of Harpak-ULMA's Customer Experience Centers in Boston, Atlanta, or Costa Mesa, Calif. Call (508) 884-2500 to make arrangements.

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on 4th March in Søborg, Copenhagen, to mark the beginning of construction on Alfa Laval’s Food Application & Innovation Center, which will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and development.

The facility, located at the headquarters of Alfa Laval’s Food & Pharma businesses in the Danish capital, is set for completion in spring 2027 and will feature the full portfolio of Alfa Laval’s technologies, supporting the testing and development of solutions for both traditional as well as next-generation food production.

For Alfa Laval it will represent a key milestone on its journey to help address the growing challenge of feeding the world’s growing population, with the United Nations estimating that 70% more food will be needed to feed the world by 2050.

Johan Agrell, Strategic Business Development Manager, Food & Pharma Division, says the facility, which was first announced by Alfa Laval in January 2025, will become a place to develop pioneering ideas – including innovative biosolutions – together with customers and partners in the food value chain.

He says: “Innovation is what we do at Alfa Laval, and the Food Application & Innovation Center will be a world-leading facility in the heart of Copenhagen, a major investment that will see us building stronger bridges with customers and partners, from start-ups to global producers.

“Alfa Laval is proud to be walking the talk and establishing ourselves as part of the ecosystem that is looking to find resilient food solutions for meeting the global supply challenge, whether that is through traditional protein extraction or fermentation.”

The groundbreaking ceremony showcases the fact that the project has now moved decisively from planning into execution, with Danish construction and engineering contractor IBG appointed to build the facility, which will cover around 1,200 m2.

“This is an exciting moment and shows our commitment with a facility that will be comprehensive in terms of capabilities,” says Johan. “It will be a place where large corporates can develop and fine-tune processes with us, start-ups can establish proof of concept and scale up, and academic researchers from around the world can meet to develop and test new ideas.”

The new facility will build on and align with the success of Alfa Laval’s Innovation House, founded in Copenhagen seven years ago, where Alfa Laval interacts with start-ups and accelerates the creation and development of new business ideas through knowledge sharing and partnerships.

The initial focus of the Food Application & Innovation Center will be on protein processing as this is one of the most significant and immediate challenges facing the industry in terms of securing sufficient and nutritious food to feed the world in a way that minimizes impacts on the environment and local ecosystems. 

Alfa Laval’s ambition is to use the facility to tackle these challenges holistically, looking at how to improve conventional production methods as well as exploring new and emerging opportunities to drive enhanced yields while using less energy and water and ensuring that the recovery of resources in waste streams is maximized.

“This is the goal,” explains Johan. “Alfa Laval has been around for 140 years and with our range of technologies, solutions and competences we aim to be at the forefront of the drive to build a more resilient food system.”

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At Interpack 2026, Fortress Technology launches a compact, economical, automated checkweigher system. The Raptor Flex specifically helps food processors seeking immediate giveaway savings on packs weighing up to 4kg.

In Hall 11, Stand E30, the food safety specialist unveils the Raptor Flex. This new, cost-effective and compact checkweighing system can check the weight of packaged food applications, including confectionery, bakery products, cooked meats and nutrition bars.

Addressing a significant market need, the Raptor Flex delivers affordable yet precise automated checkweighing for SME food processors that don’t want to compromise on performance. A modular, standalone checkweigher for packaged products, the Raptor Flex is installed at the end of inspection lines to reduce product giveaway and ensure compliance with weight regulations.

One of the standout features of the Raptor Flex checkweigher is its fast delivery schedule. By offering a range of standard machine sizes and configurations, Fortress Technology can streamline production. Additionally, the entire system, including reporting and connectivity software, is all manufactured in-house.

“This quick turnaround helps food processors to promptly upgrade or adapt their quality control processes, supporting operational efficiency and responsiveness to market demands,” highlights product manager Matt Gidman.

Compact and made from robust stainless steel, the Raptor Flex can fit easily into existing HACCP inspection lines. Featuring two wipe-clean, lift-out conveyors, the Raptor Flex delivers high-speed weighing up to 200 ppm.

Flexible input/output (I/O) electronics support rapid installation and integration with Fortress Technology metal detector and x-ray systems. Additionally, the Raptor Flex can be programmed to provide trend feedback to automated upstream filling, portioning and packing systems.

Equipped with a 10.1-inch (25.5cm) color HMI touchscreen, the system supports intuitive operation and enhances overall operational efficiency. A top-mounted status beacon is visible from every angle to instantly alert production staff to operational issues. The clear presentation of live performance data, batch statistics and KPIs can support these investigations and identify upstream inefficiencies to ensure product quality is maintained.

Incorporating 500 pre-programmed product categories reduces set up and training times, while the secure multi-level password system prevents operators from overriding instructions. These features all minimize human errors which can cause production bottlenecks.

Batch reports can be collected by USB or automated using Contact 4.0 to enhance real-time traceability. Additionally, the Raptor Flex provides flexible options for networked data integration. Processors with more advanced connectivity needs can utilize optional OPC UA and Ethernet/IP Communication Adapters, supporting real-time data sharing across the entire production network.

For complete production flexibility, processors can select from three conveyor widths – 100mm, 200mm and 300mm – and multiple reject station options, including air blast, diverter paddles and kickers. To maintain the competitive price point, lift off covers are also optional.

“With its rapid lead time and adaptable configuration options, the Raptor Flex delivers an ideal solution for processors seeking to enhance their quality control measures while maintaining operational agility and meeting tight production deadlines,” concludes Matt.

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Interpack 2026, Hall 11, Stand E30.

Fortress Technology launches new compact, economical, automated checkweigher system. Delivering reliable weight verification with minimal complexity, the Raptor Flex weighs up to 4kg packaged products at 200ppm.

Reducing product giveaway and ensuring compliance with weight regulations, the Raptor Flex fits easily into existing HACCP inspection lines. Flexible input/output (I/O) electronics support rapid integration with existing inspection systems and can connect the checkweigher to packaging equipment for upstream trend feedback.

The Raptor Flex features two low maintenance lift out conveyors, user-friendly touchscreen and 500 pre-programmed product categories. Reject, conveyor widths and real-time data reporting options are customized to the application and production line configuration. Conveyor cover is optional. Modular design enables rapid delivery.