As the trend of Industry 4.0 takes the world by storm, collaborative robots and smart factories are becoming the latest hot topic. At this year’s PPMA show, HMK will demonstrate the world’s first collaborative robot with built-in vision recognition from Techman Robot. The new TM5 Cobot from HMK merges systems that usually function separately in […]
Schneider Electric has appointed Mike Hughes as Zone President of the UK and Ireland. Hughes, who has worked with the company for 15 years, most recently as Executive Vice President of Segments and Strategic Customers, will be responsible for driving the region’s business at a time when organisations are seeking profitability and sustainability, amid the […]
Safety is particularly important in air travel, both on the ground and in the air. For this reason, aircraft are regularly inspected and maintained. An important item on the inspector’s checklist is looking for signs of corrosion and metal fatigue on the outer skin of the aircraft. To reduce ground handling times and to increase […]
Factory automation solutions provider FANUC UK will be using this year’s EMO to display its selection of Industry 4.0-ready technologies alongside its robots, robo-machines, drives and controls. Among the products on display, there will be a range of proprietary FANUC technologies that can be integrated easily into FANUC robots and machines to facilitate collaborative working, […]
Hollywood has created a huge buzz around robotic exoskeleton suits. Technology portrayed in Iron Man, the Edge of Tomorrow, and Avatar all show humans with superhuman abilities because of robotic add-ons. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explains the importance of choosing specialised bearings and lubrication in robotic exoskeletons as […]
SMC has launched a magnetic gripper that helps customers transfer workpieces with irregular surfaces, where prior to now it was difficult to gain sufficient absorption using a vacuum pad. With a holding force of up to 120N, the MHM-X6400 keeps hold of the workpieces even when the air is shut off, giving peace of mind […]
When RARUK Automation launched its MiR100, mobile industrial robot, last year it attracted a lot of attention from manufacturers actively looking at the most cost-effective ways of automating their production. The neat device has found favour with those seeking to optimize workflow, increase productivity and reduce costs and now RARUK Automation has introduced a new […]
HepcoMotion will be showcasing a selection of its industry leading range of linear motion technology at PPMA Show 2017. Key products on the stand include its core V guide linear system. GV3 is designed to serve a diverse range of automation and linear applications and is widely used in the packing industry for applications such […]
An autonomous robotic solution for improving process time and health and safety during the manufacture of cardboard boxes has been developed by the Integrated Manufacturing Group (IMG) of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). The system was developed for The Cardboard Box Company, an SME based in Accrington that designs, prints and manufactures bespoke corrugated […]
Danish fabricator MVI Maskinfabrik originally specialised in small batch production with short lead times but wanted to increase manufacturing flexibility to introduce new products – a new range of fittings for kitchen manufacturers, the wholesale market and general engineering applications. The company was also starting to receive larger orders and management was faced with the […]
Application phase for 10th vector award is now open
The application phase of the igus vector award 2026 has begun. Now in its tenth year, a joint initiative is honouring designers worldwide who use high-performance plastic energy chains to create cable guides that set new technological standards, with winners to receive up to 5,000 euros in prize money. The vector award has gained international […]
ChocoMatic comes to life with igus 7th axis
When customers tap a screen to choose their favourite chocolates, Roose Automation’s ‘ChocoMatic’ robot arm travels along a linear track, selects each chocolate, and delivers them without human intervention. Behind this playful, hygienic automation lies a clever piece of engineering: the 7th axis from igus. Roose Automation wanted to give its robot arm the freedom […]
Cost-effective robotic automation products
Mouser Electronics announces a distribution agreement with igus, a global leader in industrial and automation products. With over 60 years of design experience and a strong reputation for quality, igus offers a range of technically advanced “motion plastics” designed for Industry 4.0 and 5.0. The igus product portfolio includes flexible cables, robotic components, motor control […]
High-payload collaborative robots from OMRON
OMRON Robotics and Safety Technologies has expanded its TM S Series collaborative robot portfolio with three new models and a major software update, supporting manufacturers facing labour shortages and increasing requirements for flexible, high-mix production. The TM30S, TM20S and TM6S extend the series’ payload and reach capabilities for applications such as palletising, machine tending and […]
RARUK Automation demos cobot palletising solution
On 11-12 February 2026, Packaging Innovations and EMPACK will be returning to the NEC in Birmingham. RARUK Automation will be showcasing the PE10 Robotiq Palletising Solution designed specifically for Universal Robots collaborative robots (cobots). Palletising is a repetitive and strenuous task that poses risk of injury to workers. For manufacturers looking to increase efficiency, palletising […]
New off-the-shelf and modular palletisers
End-of-line palletising is a task commonly automated across a range of industries, due to bottlenecks and the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) to workers. RARUK Automation can now offer two simple approaches to palletising automation, from partner Robotiq. RARUK Automation is the exclusive UK representative for Robotiq, a Canadian manufacturer of end-of-arm tooling and […]
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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Automation and robotics in food manufacturing
At Food Manufacturing Live, Jake Norman, managing director at OAL, discusses applications for robotics in food factories to automate the likes of pick and place operations, palletising, case packing and other areas. He highlights the picking of fresh fruit, with a particular demonstration on the stand showing a robot picking up oranges. “We work with […]
Bridging the gap in food and beverage plants
Food and beverage plants increasingly operate with a blend of equipment generations: legacy machinery that has served reliably for years, and newer automation technologies designed to enhance efficiency, traceability and sustainability. This hybrid setup gives manufacturers flexibility to modernise gradually, but it also presents a growing challenge: how to maintain ageing assets while integrating more […]
FANUC robot pairs hygiene with high performance
To meet the growing demand for food and cleanroom applications, FANUC has unveiled the latest model in its LR Mate industrial robot range. The compact and powerful LR Mate 10-11A Food/Clean has a 10kg payload and is compliant with ISO 4 Class cleanrooms. This makes it ideal for use in highly controlled environments across sectors […]