Since 1972 Mechan Controls has been leading the way in design and innovation for machine guarding safety products. Mechan has an extensive range of non-contact safety products, including magnetic, coded magnetic, and uniquely coded RFID and OSSD safety switches. Over the past two decades, Mechan Controls has been investing in researching and developing various types […]
A wine harvester has designed an autonomous ‘steep slope’ harvesting vehicle with igus energy chains. Christmas means friends, food and, for many, a few drinks. White wine is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the UK and we consume about £12bn of alcohol in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. To keep supplying wine, […]
The industrial robot market is facing a mixed picture over the coming years according to the latest forecast from Interact Analysis, with 2024 set to end on a challenging note. Global robot shipments are projected to decline by 0.2%, following a flat performance in 2023. “Compared with our May 2024 forecast, we have revised our […]
Automate UK has announced the appointment of Peter Williamson as its new Chairman, succeeding James Causebrook, who stepped down this week having reached the end of his two-year term. James’ term was a key period for the organisation incorporating its rebranding, the finessing of its core values and the enhancement of its offering to provide […]
Automation can enhance jobs, making them safer and quicker for humans. Nevertheless, reaping these benefits means closing a wide automation skills gap, explains Stephen Hayes, managing director at automation specialist Beckhoff UK. We are routinely told that millions of jobs will be lost to automation, but the real impact depends on how we manage the […]
FANUC has introduced the latest model to its extensive robot range, bringing greater versatility to lifting and handling operations. A large and heavy-payload industrial robot, the new M-950iA/500 boasts a wide motion range thanks to its serial-link configuration, meaning no interference of the main J3 arm with the J2 arm due to the absence of […]
The rapidly increasing aging population will lead to a shortage of care providers in the future. While robotic technologies are a potential alternative, their widespread use is limited by poor acceptance. In a new study, researchers from Chiba University have examined a user-centric approach to understand the factors influencing user willingness among caregivers and recipients […]
Matt Androsiuk of Cobots and Machinery Safety (FANUC UK’s cobot safety partner) outlines how to navigate the updated robot safety standards and get ahead of the proposed changes, to ensure your applications remain compliant. Known for their ability to share the same workspace as human employees, collaborative robots (or cobots) are now a mainstay of […]
ABB has entered into a strategic collaboration with Austria-based Engineering Software Steyr (ESS) to develop powerful simulation tools that will transform automotive paint shop operations while reducing costs by up to 30 percent. As part of the collaboration, ABB will take a minority investment in ESS. “Delivering faster and more energy efficient solutions for the […]
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 […]
Powering the factories of the future
The combination of collaborative robotics and in-process digital metrology represents a strategic convergence for the manufacturing industry and factories of the future. On the one hand, collaborative robots make it possible to automate handling and assembly tasks flexibly and safely without the need for physical barriers and, on the other hand, digital metrology integrated into […]
Cobot installed at steering systems manufacturer
Steering systems manufacturer, Pailton Engineering, continues to modernise its manufacturing processes with a new collaborative robot (cobot) at its facility in Coventry. After a successful trial period, the company is installing a FAIRINO FR10 on the induction hardening ball pin cell, where it works alongside existing team members to support production. Designed to work alongside […]
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 […]
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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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 […]
ROBOTICS AWARD 2026 goes to GoodBytz
Presented annually at HANNOVER MESSE by Deutsche Messe, the ROBOTICS AWARD honours innovative robot assisted solutions in the fields of automation and logistics. This year’s award-winning solution features an advanced robotic kitchen that integrates lightweight, compact industrial robots manufactured by FANUC. The FANUC robots are specifically engineered to meet stringent food processing requirements, incorporating specialised […]
Automating the food sector: efficiency in action
The food and beverage industry has been slower to adopt automation than some other areas of manufacturing. Short-term supplier contracts and a reliance on cheap labour have proved obstacles to investment for some food producers, limiting their ability to grow their production capabilities. Fortunately, automation systems incorporating robotics from leading suppliers such as FANUC are […]
2025: (Finally) The year of the robots
2025 is going to be the year of the industrial robot in the United Kingdom. In fact, we are almost in a place where we could use the phrase ‘perfect storm’ without sounding hackneyed. Richard Stone, who is the founder of Stone Junction, a specialist technical PR agency, and who has been working with robot […]