Hollywood has created a huge buzz around robotic exoskeleton suits. Technology portrayed in Iron Man, the Edge of Tomorrow, and Avatar all show humans with superhuman abilities because of robotic add-ons. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explains the importance of choosing specialised bearings and lubrication in robotic exoskeletons as […]
SMC has launched a magnetic gripper that helps customers transfer workpieces with irregular surfaces, where prior to now it was difficult to gain sufficient absorption using a vacuum pad. With a holding force of up to 120N, the MHM-X6400 keeps hold of the workpieces even when the air is shut off, giving peace of mind […]
When RARUK Automation launched its MiR100, mobile industrial robot, last year it attracted a lot of attention from manufacturers actively looking at the most cost-effective ways of automating their production. The neat device has found favour with those seeking to optimize workflow, increase productivity and reduce costs and now RARUK Automation has introduced a new […]
HepcoMotion will be showcasing a selection of its industry leading range of linear motion technology at PPMA Show 2017. Key products on the stand include its core V guide linear system. GV3 is designed to serve a diverse range of automation and linear applications and is widely used in the packing industry for applications such […]
An autonomous robotic solution for improving process time and health and safety during the manufacture of cardboard boxes has been developed by the Integrated Manufacturing Group (IMG) of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). The system was developed for The Cardboard Box Company, an SME based in Accrington that designs, prints and manufactures bespoke corrugated […]
Danish fabricator MVI Maskinfabrik originally specialised in small batch production with short lead times but wanted to increase manufacturing flexibility to introduce new products – a new range of fittings for kitchen manufacturers, the wholesale market and general engineering applications. The company was also starting to receive larger orders and management was faced with the […]
At Motek 2017 Omron is presenting holistic automation solutions from a single source that allow manufacturing companies to achieve sustainable process optimizations in the fields of handling, intralogistics, and manufacturing. Omron’s ‘i-Automation’ concept represents intelligent, integrated, and interactive solutions that unlock untapped potential in terms of productivity and quality in industrial processes. Its key focus […]
Brillopak has chosen PPMA 2017 as the setting for the UK premiere of its new fresh produce punnet loading line, Meteor. It is the first food packing end-of-line system in the UK to integrate Omron’s new four-arm Delta robot, Quattro – said to be the fastest and most dexterous robot in the world. OEM Brillopak […]
Konrad Lorenz won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1973 for his experiments with animal behaviour. Lorenz discovered the principle of imprinting, where a bond is formed between a new born animal and a caregiver. This is the mechanism where an auditory or visual stimulus is used to induce the young to follow […]
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, […]
Why do we blame robots when the line stops?
Production and packing lines will stop working for any number of reasons, but the default assumption will often be that a robotic malfunction is to blame. Instead of scapegoating the technology, Paul Wilkinson, commercial and information systems manager at Pacepacker Services, offers some advice on getting to the root of the problem. Robots are too […]