While camera based and other optoelectronic safety technologies are now viable options for some robot guarding applications, for a huge majority there is still little to beat a physical safeguard. For robot guarding, physical safeguards offer the dual function of keeping personnel out of dangerous environments, and keeping potentially hazardous, fast moving objects in. The […]
At this year’s Advanced Engineering UK, Igus will be showcasing a number of new products on its stand (Hall 5, K42) that may help engineers realise more innovative designs and technical solutions. One of the key highlights will be a small industrial robotic arm that has the new triflex RSE (retraction system electric) energy chain from Igus […]
Thursday 12 November is the date for the latest in ABB Robotics’ popular ‘Switch to Robots’ seminar and workshop events, explaining the benefits that robotic automation can bring for SME companies and how to find, implement and run the best robotic solution. Starting with the question “How do you know if you need a robot?” […]
A demonstration robot cell at the 2015 PPMA show highlighted innovative applications in pattern recognition and path tracing. Visitors to the show’s Robot Feature Area were able to draw their own freeform shapes, present them to the vision system within the cell, and then watch as the delta robot traced the shape. The system accurately […]
At PPMA 2015, Omron and its solution partners Applied Automation and HepcoMotion showed how advanced automation systems coupled with robotics technologies can deliver real return on investment. The modern packaging industry is becoming characterised by shorter production runs with higher numbers of product variants, resulting in lines handling more products than ever before and needing […]
Using an Omron delta robot with vision system technology, Applied Automation used a robot challenge as part of a demo cell to launch a new range of conveyors at PPMA 2015. The demonstration introduced the Carryline flexible plastic chain conveyor, with the spiral conveyor featuring in a machine set-up with a robot spelling challenge. The […]
The HepcoMotion stand at PPMA featured a Cartesian robot built by the company’s systems integration arm, HepcoAutomation, demonstrating precision manipulation of a glue head within a packaging industry context. Visitors selected a word or image from an HMI screen, and then saw the robot write the word out or follow the image profile with the […]
A demonstration robot cell on the FANUC stand at the PPMA show highlighted how packaging companies can enjoy the best of both worlds of optimised productivity combined with the highest levels of operator safety. Completely open on two sides, the cell combined FANUC’s Dual Check Safety (DCS) technology with a safety scanner and safety camera. […]
In response to rising retailer demand for mixed product trays, FANUC has collaborated with integrator Pacepacker Services to engineer a first-of-its-kind robotic pot swap tray loading system. A demonstration cell was on show at PPMA, swapping pots between cardboard trays and featuring FANUC’s fenceless DCS safety technology. The robotic pick and place unit combines FANUC’s […]
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, […]
Collaborative robots could drive UK adoption
As a nation, for many years we’ve lamented the poor state of the UK robotics market. According to a 2014 report by the International federation of robotics (IFR), countries including China, Japan, the United States, Korea and Germany account for 70 per cent of global robot sales. Despite this global growth, sales of industrial robots […]