Emerson Demonstrated New Plastic Joining Technologies
Manufacturers can now leverage new automation gateways to connect multiple welding platforms for improved production data.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Emerson showcased its latest Branson plastic joining and automation systems at the Fakuma 2026 trade event. These technologies are designed to help manufacturers manage complex welding requirements and scale production line capabilities.
Why it matters
Manufacturers face increasing pressure to maintain uniform weld quality while adapting to frequent shifts in material types and production volumes. Emerson's latest systems aim to address these operational constraints by integrating welding machines directly into broader factory networks.
Emerson's new interface gateways allow for the connection of up to 10 welding machines to IT networks and automation controllers. This capacity provides a scalable architecture for operations ranging from benchtop setups to large-scale automated production lines.
The players
Emerson
A global technology and engineering company that provides automation software and hardware for industrial, commercial, and residential markets.
The details
The Branson Polaris Ultrasonic Welding Platform provides a modular setup consisting of power supplies, controllers, and actuators that scale with production needs. Emerson introduced gateways that enable these systems to communicate via OPC-UA protocols and fieldbus connections, allowing for remote monitoring and centralized control. Additionally, the company featured the GPX Pulse Staker for localized heat staking and the GLX-1 Laser Welder, which uses Simultaneous Through-Transmission Infrared technology.
Timeline
Emerson showcased these technologies at the Fakuma 2026 event.
Market Landscape
Emerson's integration of OPC-UA protocols follows the industry trend toward creating interoperable smart factories through standardized data exchange. The shift toward such connectivity marks a move away from siloed manufacturing equipment toward fully networked production environments.
Operators should evaluate whether their current production line architectures can support centralized data monitoring through OPC-UA or fieldbus integration. Assessing if current welding capacity can scale effectively through these gateways may improve long-term production quality and oversight.
The takeaway
Emerson's latest welding platforms prioritize network-ready automation to help manufacturers scale operations while maintaining precision. Business owners should review their existing machine inventory to determine if their current hardware can integrate with these new data gateway protocols.
Further reading
For more on evolving production standards, see our Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ETMM.
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