As global manufacturing continues to evolve toward digitalization, intelligence, and flexible production, industrial automation is no longer limited to isolated equipment upgrades. Instead, it is reshaping entire production systems. In this transformation, fasteners—long regarded as standardized components—are taking on a far more critical role within automated assembly processes.

With the widespread adoption of automated production lines, industrial robots, collaborative robots, and intelligent tightening systems, the characteristics of fasteners—whether they are easy to pick, easy to position, and easy to tighten—now directly affect line efficiency, operational stability, and yield rates. Minor inconsistencies in feeding, positioning, or tightening can be amplified across highly integrated automation systems, potentially leading to downtime or rework. As a result, adapting fasteners to automated assembly environments has become a shared priority for fastener manufacturers, automation equipment suppliers, and OEMs.

Against this backdrop, the Fastener Expo Shanghai 2026 will take place from June 24–26, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). As one of the most influential annual events in the fastener industry, the exhibition will continue to highlight the growing interaction between industrial automation, intelligent manufacturing, and fastener technology, offering a comprehensive view of emerging solutions and applications in automated assembly.

In traditional assembly scenarios, fastener evaluation focused primarily on material strength, dimensional accuracy, and cost control. In automated environments, however, the criteria are evolving. “Easy to pick” refers not only to compatibility with robotic grippers or vacuum systems, but also to head design, surface consistency, and stable orientation in feeding systems. “Easy to position” emphasizes fast and accurate recognition by vision systems or mechanical guides, while “easy to tighten” relates to smooth engagement, torque stability, and compatibility with automatic tightening tools. These capabilities result from the combined effect of design, manufacturing processes, and application-oriented engineering.

As automation systems become more integrated, even minor fastener variations can significantly impact production. Feeding jams, misalignment, or tightening anomalies may disrupt entire lines. Consequently, more manufacturers are incorporating “automation-friendly design” principles at the product development stage, reducing assembly risks at the source. This shift is driving the fastener industry from passive adaptation toward active participation in system-level design.

From an industry perspective, automation-friendly fasteners represent a system-level upgrade rather than incremental product improvement. Achieving this requires close collaboration among fastener manufacturers, automation equipment suppliers, and system integrators, ensuring alignment across feeding methods, gripping logic, positioning accuracy, and tightening parameters.

After fifteen editions of continuous development, Fastener Expo Shanghai has established itself as one of the world’s three leading professional fastener exhibitions. With strong exhibitor quality, high-level technical content, extensive international buyer participation, and significant on-site transactions, the exhibition has become a benchmark platform for the industry. In 2025, it also became the world’s largest fastener exhibition by exhibition area, further reinforcing its global influence.

During the 2026 edition, discussions around industrial automation, intelligent assembly, and connection technology will be further deepened. Through product displays, technical exchanges, and industry dialogue, the exhibition will serve as an efficient bridge—helping fastener manufacturers better understand automation needs, enabling equipment suppliers to engage with component performance, and assisting end users in identifying reliable solutions.

As industrial automation continues to advance, the value of fasteners that are easy to pick, position, and tighten will become increasingly evident. Companies that achieve coordinated upgrades in design philosophy, manufacturing capability, and application insight are more likely to gain a competitive edge. Fastener Expo Shanghai 2026 stands at this pivotal moment, providing the industry with a key platform to showcase progress, exchange experience, and explore future directions.

After fifteen consecutive editions, the Fastener Expo Shanghai (FES) has developed into one of the “three major global fastener trade shows.” Its exhibitors, product quality, event content, the number of domestic and international visitors, and on-site transaction volume all set industry benchmarks. In 2025, the expo further became the largest fastener exhibition in the world in terms of exhibition area.

Official Website: www.fastenerexpo.cn/en
Media Contact: Goblic Hu
Email: goblic.hu@ebseek.com
Phone: +86 138 1631 0340