Following completion of a £1.5m expansion programme earlier this year, which saw floor-space increase by 75%, Altec Engineering Group has now acquired a further 10,000 sq.ft of factory space behind its existing Durham facility. This additional floor-space is required to meet future investment plans in special purpose machine building, precision engineering and specialist coatings. In […]
Fourteen secondary students from two schools in Colchester – Stanway and Thomas Lord Audley – got the chance to showcase their robotic skills during a recent open day hosted at packing automation designer and manufacturer Pacepacker Services. During a tour of the Essex-based factory on the 14th July, the students were encouraged to investigate the […]
Canon has signaled its intention to tap into the 3D machine vision systems market for industrial robots, by bringing 3D Machine Vision systems to Europe. The Canon RV300 and RV500 and RV1100 3D machine vision Systems will go on sale in Europe in August 2015. 3D machine vision for use with industrial robots is estimated […]
LMI Technologies has introduced the firmware 4.2 update for the entire range of Gocator displacement, profile, and snapshot 3D smart sensors, in order to further enhance the ease, efficiency and productivity of the 3D inspection process. New features include part matching, a profile mode, emulator and a suite of 2D measurement tools. The new geometric […]
A single cable receptacle for robot spot welding connectors has been introduced by Multi-Contact. The empty flange-mounted receptacle is angled downwards at 30 degrees to reduce stress on the connectors, helping to direct the cables into the cable tray and making them easier to connect. The RobiFix B-ID range can house RobiFix male or female […]
3D Stinger Camera products from Scorpion Vision have been designed to provide production lines with a superior 3D imaging system. Now the company has introduced its latest 3D Stinger Camera technology, giving factory robots pin-point ‘mammalian’ vision. Thanks to innovative technology developed by Tordivel AS of Oslo, Scorpion Vision’s 3D Stinger Camera enables production-line robots […]
The UK’s ability to develop and exploit the vast potential of Robotics and Autonomous Systems was given a major boost today with the formal launch of The EPSRC UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Network (UK-RAS Network). The Network will bring together the UK’s core academic capabilities in robotics innovation under national coordination for the first […]
Altec Engineering, based in Bowburn in Durham has today announced the strategic acquisition of Sigma Technologies, adding high volume CNC component manufacture to Altec’s activities. Altec was attracted by Sigma’s approach to providing innovative solutions to clients needs including; stock build programmes, inventory control, KanBan solutions, Kitting, Sub-assembly and integrated MRP. This approach has resulted […]
PGN-plus Permanent is the latest innovation for the PGN-plus gripper from Schunk, employing a unique lubrication system. This provides faster, more even distribution of the lubricant in the PGN-plus Permanent gripper, even with short strokes. The complete contour of the patented multi-tooth guidance on the PGN-plus Permanent is equipped with grease pockets, which ensures a […]
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 […]
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 […]
UR and Scale AI launch imitation learning system
Universal Robots (UR) unveiled the UR AI Trainer at GTC 2026 in Silicon Valley. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a tectonic shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks. These systems are powered by robust data generated in AI training cells where robots imitate humans. “Our customers, ranging from […]
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 […]
ESAB simplifies robotic welding deployment
ESAB has introduced the ROBBI 360, an enclosed cobot welding cell with a manual turntable that is designed to increase productivity, improve weld quality and enhance operator safety in robotic MIG/MAG welding. Engineered for manufacturers seeking to quickly deploy an automated solution for medium- and high-volume applications, the ROBBI 360 cobot provides flexibility and user-friendly […]
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
... Read More »
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 […]
Efficient palletising in the food industry
Intelligent automation with the Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow plus chain conveyor system and Hitmark Robotics solutions is delivering efficient palletising solutions for the food industry. In the food industry, solutions are in demand that increase efficiency, meet strict hygiene and safety requirements, and enable gentle product transport. Therefore, manufacturers are increasingly investing in modern automation that […]
Robot drive components impact on performance
Talking about the qualities and capabilities of today’s industrial robots, Harmonic Drive managing director Graham Mackrell argues that the whole is only as good as the sum of its parts. Pictured right: Harmonic Drive’s SDH is a shorter gear component for use in robotics, addressing the trend for smaller, lighter rigs “After reading a recent […]