Fanuc UK will be demonstrating the ease and affordability of automated picking, packing and palletising at this year’s PPMA event, which takes place from the 26 – 28 September at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. The leading provider of factory automation solutions has collaborated with Pacepacker Services on a fully functional display, which will give visitors […]
Most cameras just record colour but now the 3D shapes of objects, captured through only a single lens, can be accurately estimated using new software developed by UCL computer scientists. The method, published today at CVPR 2017, gives state-of-the-art results and works with existing photos, allowing any camera to map the depth for every pixel […]
Typically robots used in manufacturing are kept in cages to protect people working near them from getting hurt. According to many handling experts, this is now changing and that the direct collaboration of humans with robots will soon be an integral part of production automation in a few years. Schunk is working on ‘taming’ grippers […]
As part of its drive in supplying market leading robotics solutions with the innovative Motoman and MotoLogix brands, motion control and robotics specialist Yaskawa is developing a sales relationship with Routeco UK. The importance of the collaboration is underlined with the investment in a dedicated robot cell demonstration facility at Routeco’s Milton Keynes site where […]
Mobile robotics in material handling and logistics will become a $75bn market by 2027. It will then more than double by 2038. These staggering headline figures mask turbulent transformative change underneath: some technologies will rise and transform the fortunes of industries, fuelling growth rates far outpacing recent trends, whilst others will face with decay and […]
Back in the 1990s the Stereo MCs sang ‘Get yourself connected’. Fast forward to 2017 and these lyrics are now common parlance in the advanced engineering sector as the move towards Connected Manufacturing gains ground. Now, with a new zone dedicated to Connected Manufacturing, we talk to the Advanced Engineering Show’s mastermind, Easyfairs industrial divisional […]
TM Robotics, Toshiba Machine’s EMEA and US partner, has launched Toshiba Machine’s latest range of six-axis robots. The TVM range will be used in a variety of industrial applications, including manufacturing for automotive components, plastics, medical, packaging and the pharmaceutical sector. The vertically articulated robot series is available in three models, each with varying reach […]
A newly developed vine-like robot can grow across long distances without moving its whole body. It could prove useful in search and rescue operations and medical applications. Pictured right: The vinebot is a tube of soft material that grows in one direction. (Image credit: L.A. Cicero) Imagine rescuers searching for people in the rubble of […]
A UR10 robot arm is helping the Danish printing company, InPrint A/S, pick and place print plates, reducing non-productive wait time while improving the work environment and freeing up two labour hours in capacity per day. InPrint is a medium-sized printing company with 15 employees and as a turnkey supplier of printed matter the company […]
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 […]
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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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, […]
Pacepacker encourages food industry robot adoption
There’s never been a better time for food and drink SMEs to invest in robots for the workplace. Sales and exports are booming, and robots are more powerful than ever. Paul Wilkinson, Commercial & Information Systems Manager at Pacepacker Services, examines the current challenges of the food and drink industry and details how robots can […]