In the bodywork shop at the BMW AG factory in Leipzig, the roof panel and side frames are welded together. In order to permanently seal this weld against ingress of moisture etc., seam welding is carried out prior to the filler coat being applied to the vehicle body. The application of the adhesive beading is […]
Igus reports that its robolink robotic kits now provide ready-to-build robotic arms, lowering cost and eliminating barriers in getting robotic applications up and running. Available with four and five-axis movement, or degrees of freedom (DOF), these kits consist of robolink D joints, connecting elements, motors, cables and tools. Self-lubricating and maintenance-free, the lightweight, dry-running robolink […]
X-STK | Applied Automation is delighted to announce it has been confirmed as Universal Robots’ Preferred Partner after only ten months. The elevation in status from distributor to Preferred Partner is recognition of X-STK’s superior performance selling the collaborative robots in the UK. UR has seen a 120% increase in robots sold in the UK […]
Why is asparagus one of the most expensive vegetables in Europe? Because harvesters have to painstakingly pierce each stalk individually. A robot could change this, and engineers at the Bremen Centre for Mechatronics (BCM) are developing one. It works with harvesting tools, which run on precision rails from HepcoMotion. Asparagus has been steadily growing in […]
Are you thinking about integrating vision into your system? Are you planning your next automation? Would you like to add a vision component? If any of the above applies to you, then this new eBook from Robotiq is for you. You will learn what you can do with a vision system, its applications and alternatives […]
An ABB robot has been installed by system integrator Newtech at a company that specialises in the production of personalised marshmallow confectionery. Started in 2013 by founders James Middleton and Andy Bell, Boomf enables its customers to print their choice of photos, graphics and messages on to marshmallows which they can then have sent to […]
ABB Robotics has introduced Connected Services, a sophisticated suite of resources enabling UK manufacturers to maximise robot uptime through fast data access and problem resolution. Delivered via ABB’s single, intuitive interface called MyRobot, Connected Services will make actionable data immediately available to plant engineers, maintenance staff and managing directors via smart devices such as laptops, […]
ABB Robotics has invested over £250k in upgrading its UK training facility at Auriga House in Milton Keynes. Partly motivated by a demand for training on the latest advances in robot technology, the training centre now features the latest generation of robots and controllers to prepare UK manufacturers for the smart factory era. Preparing the […]
There is a buzz around robolink, the low-cost and easy-to-assemble modular robotics system from Igus. This week, Igus has unveiled direct drive arms that feature decoupled motors for optimised mass relocation. The robolink DQ and SQ components include direct driven strainwave or worm gears, with six-axis electromechanical arms featuring square geometries. Complementary tools, including grippers, […]
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, […]
SKF talks Smart Robotics: Revolutionising manufacturing
Thanks to faster computation and higher storage capabilities, intelligent autonomous robots aren’t science fiction anymore. They are already at work within industry today. In the future, up to 60% of our jobs are expected to be automated. How will this development transform manufacturing and the maintenance of machinery in the future? In the latest edition […]