ABB has won an order for 2,400 robots from BMW Group. Over the next three years the robots will be installed at factories in Regensburg and Leipzig, Germany, as well as in Tiexi, China. The ABB robots will mainly be used for material handling tasks, as well as gluing and spot welding processes. BMW’s choice of […]
The installation of a palletizing robot at the end of its bottling line has boosted the competitiveness of a UK heritage beer bottling business. A Kawasaki robot was chosen after trials were carried out on all container types to be palletised. Edwin Holden’s Bottling Company Limited, based in Sedgley, has a distinct heritage feel which […]
A delta robot solution that is no more difficult to integrate into your system than any other standard automation component? Mark Simms takes a look at the latest part of Omron’s innovative Sysmac platform. These days machine builders who develop machines for the packaging industry are facing ever increasing challenges to provide designs that will […]
The latest version of FANUC’s LRMate 200 robot is more compact, faster, has increased payload and offers a larger work envelope. Ideally suited for integration into special purpose machinery, the LRMate 200iD offers a payload of 7kg, with an uprated wrist assembly that makes longer tool offsets possible. FANUC says increased joint speeds on every axis […]
Manchester-based AIM Engineering, whose customers include aircraft and vehicle manufacturers, has joined KUKA’s ‘official system partern’ scheme, which provides a wide range of services to system integrators such as product technical support and marketing help. Pictured are Grant Hudson (left), sales business manager at AIM Engineering and KUKA robot sales specialist Richard Goodwin (right). Partners are […]
Getting down and dirty in ash is one process that personnel at H+H UK, Goole, are pleased to leave to a new Kawasaki industrial robot. Manufacturing its market leading Aircrete Building Blocks from a mixture of pulverised fuel ash (PFA), cement and lime creates an aggressive environment for clean-up operations. The H+H factory in Goole […]
Justin Leonard, director at Igus UK, looks at the development of modular joints for robots and some of their applications. With pressure across many industries to work more efficiently, there is increased demand for simple lightweight and cost-effective robotic systems. The challenge of developing strong, cost effective and lightweight joints for robotics and for integrating […]
When it needed to automate the assembly of a moulded plastic spigot, a leading Automotive parts manufacturer asked industrial automation expert ALPHR Technology to devise a solution that would be cost effective, compact, reliable and easy to maintain. After carefully analysing the application, the ALPHR Technology team concluded that a solution based on an Omron […]
KUKA Robotics UK has signalled its ambitions to help develop innovative, new automated production processes for the high value manufacturing sector. The Black Country-based industrial robot supplier is now a member of the MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre) at Coventry’s Ansty Park. Pictured are Ian Walker (seated), general sales manager at KUKA Robotics UK, with Ken […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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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 […]
Robots have key role to play in the food industry
At a recent food and beverage industry conference hosted by Mitsubishi Electric, Chris Buxton, CEO of the Processing & Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA), highlighted, among other things, the important role of robots. (Pictured) Attendees at the food and beverage conference. UK food prices have risen 12 percent in the last five years, while incomes have fallen […]