Pacepacker Services has used 3D printing to create a gripper to pick up bottles on the packing line of a global hand hygiene company, as part of a huge automation project that has more than doubled the company’s output. One of the key challenges was the packing line needed to handle up to six different […]
There’s never been a better time for food and drink SMEs to invest in robots for the workplace. Sales and exports are booming, and robots are more powerful than ever. Paul Wilkinson, Commercial & Information Systems Manager at Pacepacker Services, examines the current challenges of the food and drink industry and details how robots can […]
Advancements in collaborative robots, or cobots, are creating a bit of a buzz in manufacturing and the way humans and robots interact safely alongside each other. Yet, food processing, packaging and palletising lines remain largely cobot-free zones. Paul Wilkinson, commercial and information systems manager at Pacepacker Services explains why cobots, which currently account for an […]
The average human arm measures just 63.5 centimetres. This makes placing heavy loads of products into deep food Bulk Display Units (BDUs) challenging and subjects manual handlers to high risk of repetitive strain injuries. Torso twisting and bending to reach into low corners is especially hazardous when repeated throughout the working day. With BDUs being […]
Reprogramming the way a pallet is stacked using the usual robot teach pendants can be a laborious, time consuming, trial and error process. At PPMA 2017, stand C50, automation specialist Pacepacker Services unveils its NEW Pallet+ technology, which, thanks to time saving features including off-line programming, slashes set-up of a new pallet stack layout from […]
New Pallet+ programming technology unveiled by Pacepacker Services is being hailed as one of the biggest technology advances in automated packaging. Bringing about new levels of flexibility and agility, coupled with significant time, energy and cost savings, it could soon make engineer-programming visits a thing of the past for in-house packers. Rather than relying solely […]
The installation of a second-user robotic system by Pacepacker has revolutionised the palletising of artisan loaves for Speciality Breads. Cutting palletising time in half, the robot is keeping up with the bakery’s daily production of 100,000 individual loaves from its brand new state of the art £3million bakery. Speciality Breads produces over 100 different types […]
Winning a large retail contract is a coup for any food manufacturer. However, supermarket price wars and changing food presentations to gain and maintain the interest of consumers, means that many manufacturers are being squeezed out of the market. Paul Wilkinson, business development manager at Pacepacker Services, looks at how automation can help. Today, most […]
There’s been a surge of interest among food suppliers for robotics, observes Paul Wilkinson, business development manager at automation specialist Pacepacker Services. “Shows like MasterChef, Bake Off and celebrity cookery programmes, combined with a desire to lead healthier lives using fresh ingredients, are influencing people to cook everything from exotic cuisines to local produce from […]
Motion plastics and low-cost automation at MACH 2026
igus returns to MACH with a comprehensive range of engineering innovations designed to improve machine reliability, reduce downtime and deliver long‑term cost savings for manufacturers across all industry. With the UK operation based in Northampton, igus develops lubrication‑free motion plastics that replace traditional metal components, increasing performance while eliminating the need for grease and maintenance. […]
RBTX DOBOT partner launch hailed a success
igus UK marks a major milestone in accessible automation with the successful launch of its RBTX partnership with DOBOT Robotics. The event brought together engineers, system integrators, manufacturers and automation specialists to explore how flexible robotic solutions can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively, without the complexity traditionally associated with industrial automation. Live demonstrations showcased collaborative […]
What role does AI play in art?
The River of Light festival in Liverpool showcased ‘Face Value’, a captivating installation co-created by PhD student Emma Brass from the University of Liverpool and Venya Krutikov, co-founder of The Kazimier and Invisible Wind Factory. Blending artificial intelligence, robotics, and visual art, Face Value invites visitors to confront how technology perceives and redefines reality. The […]
ABB Robotics launches high-speed PoWa cobot family
ABB Robotics is combining the flexibility of cobots with higher payloads and performance, with the launch of its new PoWa cobot family into the rapidly expanding global collaborative robot market, which ABB Robotics estimates will grow by 20 percent annually through to 2028. “Cobots are growing significantly faster than traditional industrial robots, driven by demands […]
Flexible industrial automation solutions from Delta
Delta showcased its comprehensive portfolio of industrial automation solutions at Hannover Messe 2026, highlighting how its advanced drives, HMI panels, and controller solutions enable smarter manufacturing by improving energy efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. At the same time, Delta ensures robust protection for customers across a wide range of industries, from machinery and food and beverage […]
Intelligent automation for laboratory workflows
Beckhoff UK will exhibit at London Lab Live at ExCeL London from May 6-7, 2026, where it will demonstrate how PC-based control can help pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers build more flexible sample and product handling processes. A key attraction on the stand will be a live demonstration combining Beckhoff’s XTS intelligent transport system with a […]
Customised robotics and automation systems: Astech Projects is an award-winning provider of advanced automated solutions. We work with clients worldwide to design and build robotics and automation systems that meet
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Universal adaptive gripper for faster, gentler picking
Festo has introduced the HPSX Universal Adaptive Gripper, a pneumatic soft gripper engineered to improve speed, hygiene and flexibility in demanding food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. Combining robust design, food-safe materials and adaptive silicone fingers, the HPSX directly addresses long-standing automation challenges where rapid, precise and gentle product handling is essential. “In developing the HPSX, […]
The beverage palletising shift is accelerating
Martin Ray Winery in Napa Valley has deployed its first lean cobot palletising workcell and achieved a 16-month ROI, with the system installed in just two days. You can find out all about it in a webinar hosted by Robotiq on 19 March. Across Europe and North America, beverage producers, from kombucha and bottled water […]
Robotics, vision and AI combine for dairy processes
Automation solutions provider Eberle Automatische Systeme has developed a breakthrough in quality control with a focus on the cheese-ripening process, combining AI with machine vision software from MVTec. The food industry is experiencing a transformative shift in quality control, due in part to advances in artificial intelligence (AI). When combined with rule-based machine vision, AI […]
Why do we blame robots when the line stops?
Production and packing lines will stop working for any number of reasons, but the default assumption will often be that a robotic malfunction is to blame. Instead of scapegoating the technology, Paul Wilkinson, commercial and information systems manager at Pacepacker Services, offers some advice on getting to the root of the problem. Robots are too […]