Tom Bouchier, managing director of Fanuc UK, says there has never been a better time for UK firms to invest in automation. Here, he outlines the key changes within the automation landscape that are prompting British firms to finally wake up to the benefits of automation. Despite our relatively small landmass, the UK is an […]
The latest easy-automation solution from RARUK Automation makes it viable for any SME, regardless of their size or level of experience, to introduce automatic parts loading in just 2-3 hours. The Robotiq Machine Tending Solution is the latest in a series of off-the-shelf kits that has allowed RARUK Automation – Robotiq’s current ‘Best Expert Partner […]
Marc Garner, vice president of the secure power division of Schneider Electric, examines the rise of digital transformation within industrial manufacturing. The industrial world has come a long way from the early days of steam power and the advent of the manufacturing era. Industry 2.0 brought electrification and mass production in the 1800’s propelled by […]
An automotive manufacturer is relying extensively on the reliability of Contrinex’s robust and high-performance inductive sensors in the automated assembly of engines, where cylinder heads are transferred for mounting on the engine. The assembly of an engine requires cylinder heads to be transferred from one conveyor line to another. At the transfer station, sensors under […]
An Igus 7th axis on a collaborative robot working alongside staff at German screening machine manufacturer Rhewum is helping to increase the workspace from 1300 to 5500mm. Built around the drylin ZLW tooth belt linear system, the 7th axis is quick and easy to set up, low cost and resistant to heat and dirt. The […]
ABB is expanding its FlexPicker Delta robot portfolio with the IRB 365. With five axes and 1.5kg payload, the IRB 365 is both flexible and claimed to be the fastest in its class for reorientating packaged lightweight products. Responding to the rise in e-commerce and growing demand for shelf ready packaged goods, the IRB 365 […]
PPMA Total Show 2022, the UK’s largest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision event, is returning to the NEC Birmingham this autumn, and will take place from 27th to 29th September. The three-day event will provide a platform for innovation and live demonstrations of production machinery, act as a central hub for networking, […]
A single demonstration line running on the Omron stand (B34) at this year’s PPMA Total Show will reveal how a dynamic manufacturing operation – in this case filling – can see dramatic efficiency and uptime improvements from the deployment of AI in at least two areas: intelligent machine control; and fault detection and remediation. Too […]
Since the integration of its first Kawasaki robot, storage tank manufacturer Haase has not only been able to significantly optimise its production and efficiency, but also to support its sustained growth in many industries and international markets. With its double-walled underground storage tanks, German company Haase Group has been a market leader in the tank […]
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 […]
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 […]
Advanced robotic order preparation solution
Comau has designed and validated an order preparation solution tested within Decathlon’s e-commerce fulfilment operations as part of MASTERLY, a European initiative designed to accelerate the transition from traditional mass production to highly flexible, customised manufacturing systems. The system leverages Comau’s MyCo collaborative robot with a ROS2-based software architecture and integrates intelligent sensors and an […]
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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 […]
Packers and processors need to adapt to wonky veg
Following this morning’s BBC news report that fruit and veg will be smaller and look different as the summer’s hot and dry weather hits crops, Scorpion Vision is advising processors and packers of fresh produce to consider upgrading to AI-powered vision technology. Processing systems guided by classic machine vision do not have the intelligence to […]