FANUC's IMTS Demo Puts Torque Control on a Moving Target

At IMTS 2026 in Chicago, FANUC America lists an Inbolt Physical AI tracking and bolt-tightening demonstration. The company says its CRX-20iA/L cobot tracks moving parts in real time and tightens bolts to a desired torque during motion.

The claim matters to fastener teams. A moving workpiece joins torque delivery with tool engagement, bolt presentation, joint access, traceability and fixture design.

This vendor demonstration supplies no production evidence. FANUC's event page gives no data on joint quality, cycle time, rework, uptime or cost. It gives no bolt size, joint material, torque range, tool model, traceability method or safety-control detail.

For fastener manufacturers and assembly managers, IMTS raises a practical question: which process controls preserve torque integrity when the part moves? Ask for the system's socket-engagement and seating checks, its response to cross-thread detection, the torque signal kept in the traceability record, and the cell controls for part speed, tolerance and missed cycles.