This year saw the return of the ABB stand at The PPMA Show. ABB shared its stand with packaging systems specialist RM Group, a member of ABB’s Authorised Value Provider (AVP) network. A highlight of the stand was a demonstration cell featuring ABB’s FlexPicker robots, which are ideal for high speed picking and placing applications […]
The Robotics Update team were at the PPMA Show at the NEC, Birmingham in September, looking at innovations in robotics and vision technologies for packaging and palletising applications. Over the next ten pages, we’ll present some of the most interesting and exciting of those innovations, and highlight the latest news from the key players. The modern […]
The engineers at Zen Putting Mechanics have been helping Today’s Golfer magazine to test 46 putter designs from several top manufacturers with specific parameters to determine the best buys. For one of the tests, the British golf innovator has developed a putting robot with Sheffield University’s AMRC – Boeing research centre that evaluates a putter’s […]
Scorpion Vision has announced the launch of a new, redesigned version of its website, www.scorpionvision.co.uk. Key features of the site include a cleaner and more attractive design, a more engaging user experience with enhanced search and navigation, and the capability to search for camera products using a new search tool that allows the user to […]
Omron reports that it has strengthened its industrial automation business with the acquisition of Adept Technology. Omron will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Adept common stock through an all cash tender offer followed by a second-step merger. For 30 years Adept has been an industry leader in the development of innovative and powerful […]
To eliminate tedious manual handling in the manufacturing process for water-testing swabs, manufacturing automation expert Secure Technologies Ltd has developed an efficient and cost-effective solution based on an Omron SCARA robot. This novel solution also makes extensive use of other Omron automation components, including laser sensors to accurately detect the position of the tiny swabs, […]
Battery designer and manufacturer Saft has made a strategic breakthrough into China’s fast growing industrial robot sector with its first order for STEP Electric Corporation, a public National High-Tech Enterprise specialising in industrial automation. STEP Electric Corporation is installing Saft’s primary lithium batteries in its new generation robots to back up the memory in their […]
Scorpion Vision has announced that it will be bringing two innovative new PixeLINK 2.3 megapixel global shutter CMOS cameras to the UK market. The cameras are the latest addition to the PixeLINK USB 3.0 vision camera family and use Sony’s ground-breaking IMX174 and IMX249 CMOS sensors. The innovative sensors in the PixeLINK cameras are equipped […]
Tom Bouchier, formerly customer service manager, has been appointed as managing director for FANUC UK. With over 25 years’ experience within robotics and automation, Tom will lead UK activity working out of FANUC;s headquarters in Coventry. Tom’s role will be to push the company to further growth in each of the three divisions: FA, Robots, […]
A FANUC M410iC/185 universal palletising robot has been installed in the UK at pulse processor Askew and Barrett, where it has helped to boost productivity by 15-20% and eliminated a potential health and safety risk factor by automating a manual palletising operation. Askew and Barrett sources pulses from key agricultural merchants and then sorts, cleans […]
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 […]
Mouser to showcase industrial automation expansion at SPS
Mouser Electronics will showcase its expanding industrial automation offering at SPS 2026, taking place from 24 to 26 November at NurnbergMesse in Nuremberg, Germany. Visitors can find Mouser in Hall 4, Booth 250. SPS 2026 marks an important milestone in Mouser’s further expansion into industrial automation. Building on its established electronic components business, Mouser is […]
Universal Robots unveils next generation platform
Universal Robots (UR) has introduced Gen 7, its seventh-generation robotics platform, representing a unified system upgrade, enhancing the exceptional robot user experience that operators, engineers, and integrators already prefer to work with every day. Anchored by the PolyScope X robot operating system, Gen 7 has a fully reengineered control box, teach pendant and tool flange […]
Humanoids drive demand across cobot supply chain
Collaborative robot (cobot) and actuator suppliers are benefiting from the rapid growth in humanoid robot production. According to the latest research from Interact Analysis, global humanoid robot production exceeded 20,000 units in 2025 and is set to more than triple in 2026. Many humanoid manufacturers are prioritising software, AI training and application development, and then […]
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Endoline appoints new engineering manager
Endoline Automation has appointed Christopher Tracey as engineering manager, reinforcing the company’s continued investment in its in-house expertise as demand grows for its end-of-line packaging systems in the UK and international markets. Christopher’s appointment reflects Endoline’s continued growth and commitment to investing in its engineering capability. He will lead the engineering team while working alongside […]
Gourmet-food-maker automates packaging process
Rockwell Automation has announced that Cranswick, one of Britain’s leading manufacturers of premium gourmet foods, has commissioned a new robotic end-of-line pick-and-place system using autonox Robotics. Every year, Cranswick produces millions of “pigs-in-blankets” (sausages wrapped in bacon) for the Christmas market. The final stage of the process – picking the sausages off the conveyor belt […]
Universal Robots hosts Food & Beverage Masterclass
The Food & Beverage Masterclass, hosted by Universal Robots in June, 2026 at Riseholme Park in Lincoln, brought together industry professionals for a practical and engaging half-day event focused on end of line automation with collaborative robots (cobots). Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and […]