ABB Robotics and China’s leading automotive parts supplier, Hasco, have announced the creation of a joint venture to drive the next generation of smart manufacturing in China’s automotive industry. The joint venture will build on the existing successful relationship between the two companies, leading to the crucial development of highly flexible and sustainable auto parts […]
Omron Corporation was designated as a Gold Standard Workplace, the highest evaluation under the PRIDE Index by ‘Work with Pride’, an NGO in Japan that evaluates companies and other organisations for their initiatives related to sexual minorities, including LGBTQ for the fifth consecutive year. The PRIDE Index evaluates initiatives for sexual minorities in the workplace […]
After the world premiere of the new SAM-C robots at Fakuma, interest in the first in-house automation solution from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery, Schwaig (SDG), continues unabated. The two handle and place systems were the real crowd pleasers on the company’s Fakuma booth, attracting a great deal of attention affirms Jürgen Schulze, Director Automation […]
Automated assembly systems are increasingly used for high volume assembly operations because of their ability to remove labour and also eliminate the potential of assembly errors. Rugged inductive sensors from Contrinex help provide fault-free assembly and minimise downtime by reliable detecting the presence and position of equipment or components, ensuring that parts are correctly aligned […]
ABB has delivered and installed the primary power distribution solution with switchgears and protective relays, as well as robotic technologies with ABB’s robotics partners, at Wärtsilä’s new technology centre. ABB is also responsible for the implementation services of the entire system. “We are excited to provide our top-level Finnish technology expertise in Wärtsilä’s modern research, […]
Whether classic all-purpose brushes or brushes for special applications, the German company Lessmann has virtually all of them in its range. The shapes vary, from straight to ergonomic. But they all have one thing in common: the wooden bodies are made exclusively from untreated red beech. Depending on the model, they also have two hanging […]
The use of industrial robots in factories around the world is accelerating at a high rate: 126 robots per 10,000 employees is the new average of global robot density in the manufacturing industries – nearly double the number five years ago (2015: 66 units). This is according to the 2021 World Robot Statistics, issued by […]
Scientists from the National Robotarium, supported by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, have unveiled the design of a new train cleaning robot to help existing cleaners. The robot, which is being funded by rail research body RSSB, has been designed to increase cleanliness standards on trains nationwide. It will complement humans by cleaning […]
Liquid gaskets are an established way of sealing electronic devices, ensuring they are fully protected – even at the join – from water, pressure, vibration or contaminants. They can overcome many of the assembly challenges associated with other gasket options, and the application process is easy to automate, reduces inventory requirements and eliminates tooling costs. […]
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 […]
Annual robot shipments to top 760k units in 2030
The industrial robot industry saw 5.1% growth in 2025, following a contraction of -2% in 2024, Interact Analysis reports. The market is now forecast to record steady growth out to 2030, at an average annual rate of 6.7%, rising from 549,555 units in 2025 to 761,303 units in 2030. The latest industrial robots report from […]
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 […]
Cobot shipments will more than double by 2030
The collaborative robot market is entering a phase of sustained but uneven growth. Interact Analysis‘ latest Collaborative Robots – 2026 report points to a market that is maturing in some respects, particularly pricing, but volatile in terms of regional and application demand. Collaborative robot shipments reached nearly 58,000 units in 2025, having grown 14.5% over […]
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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 […]
Universal adaptive gripper for faster, gentler picking
Festo has introduced the HPSX Universal Adaptive Gripper, a pneumatic soft gripper engineered to improve speed, hygiene and flexibility in demanding food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. Combining robust design, food-safe materials and adaptive silicone fingers, the HPSX directly addresses long-standing automation challenges where rapid, precise and gentle product handling is essential. “In developing the HPSX, […]
Automation to help at times of high demand
A sudden boom in demand provides welcome opportunities for manufacturers to boost their annual sales. However, this also means that factories will have to fulfil an unusual number of orders with the same staff and resources. Here Neil Ballinger, head of EMEA at automation parts supplier EU Automation, explains how automation can help manufacturers deal […]