The UK’s ability to develop and exploit the vast potential of Robotics and Autonomous Systems was given a major boost today with the formal launch of The EPSRC UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Network (UK-RAS Network). The Network will bring together the UK’s core academic capabilities in robotics innovation under national coordination for the first […]
Altec Engineering, based in Bowburn in Durham has today announced the strategic acquisition of Sigma Technologies, adding high volume CNC component manufacture to Altec’s activities. Altec was attracted by Sigma’s approach to providing innovative solutions to clients needs including; stock build programmes, inventory control, KanBan solutions, Kitting, Sub-assembly and integrated MRP. This approach has resulted […]
PGN-plus Permanent is the latest innovation for the PGN-plus gripper from Schunk, employing a unique lubrication system. This provides faster, more even distribution of the lubricant in the PGN-plus Permanent gripper, even with short strokes. The complete contour of the patented multi-tooth guidance on the PGN-plus Permanent is equipped with grease pockets, which ensures a […]
FANUC Robotics UK has extended the application field for collaborative robots with the launch the human-safe CR-35iA which has a 35kg payload. The CR-35iA opens up applications that have previously been off limits for both traditional industrial robots and lighter duty collaborative robots. Over the last couple of years, the first generation of collaborative robots […]
Schunk says the EGS electric rotary gripper unit defines a new class of efficiency in the handling of small components. It facilitates the switch to pneumatic-free handling solutions and is claimed to be the first unit to combine electric gripping and rotation in a single compact housing. The new low-maintenance and affordable module paves the […]
Nigel Flowers, managing director of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK, examines the rise and fall of the robotic march in the plastics industry. A growing number of injection moulders are embracing automation with BARA reporting a 75% rise in robotic integration within the plastics industry between 2013 and 2014. This increase is reflected in our own […]
With a simple zip fastening concept and no need for specialist tools, the zip feature on Igus zipper e-chain and zipper e-tube enables significantly faster installation of energy chains in robotics applications. The small pitch of the zipper e-chain ensures low-noise operation, even at accelerations of 100m/s² and more. The zipper e-tube is fully-enclosed to […]
Askew & Barrett sources pulses from key agricultural merchants and then sorts, cleans and grades them at its processing plant in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The pulses are bagged into 12.5kg and 25kg paper sacks and 25kg woven polypropylene (WPP) sacks, before being palletised and transported to food manufacturers and retailers at home and abroad. Pictured right: […]
Comau has introduced a new high-speed, 6-axis articulated robot featuring a payload of 3kg and a reach of just 630 mm. The third robot within the award-winning Racer family, Racer3 is Comau’s response to the growing market demand for fast, cost-effective robotic automation within small to medium-sized enterprises and emerging countries. With a streamlined design […]
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, […]
Getting the best out of Total Cost of Ownership
It’s an unfortunate fact that UK manufacturers – particularly within the food industry – stall on investing in robotics and automation. Investing in equipment – which for some high-spec, fully automatic turnkey lines can cost almost as much as the UK’s average house price – can bring out the fear of the unknown in many […]