Following the start-up of its new production facility in Shanghai, KUKA celebrated its opening in the company of guests from China and abroad. At centre stage was one of the best-known Germans in China; table tennis star Timo Boll. The premiere of a film in which Boll competes against a KUKA robot was a highlight […]
A robot fibre-laser weld cell using what is believed to be the UK’s largest commercially operated power source, 10kW, has been installed at Graham Engineering (GEL) in Nelson, Lancashire. The System has been integrated by Cyber-Weld using a FANUC six axis robot at its heart. The fibre laser weld cell has increased production capacity and […]
ABB has launched an online return on investment calculator to help UK small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) discover the cost and productivity benefits offered by industrial robots. Available here on the ABB website, the calculator demonstrates how companies can often recoup their outlay on robots within just two years through enhanced levels of performance […]
Honda UK Manufacturing’s Swindon site has recently invested in a Universal Robot from RA Rodriguez that is currently being assessed for a variety of applications. And clearly it attracted sufficient attention to command an important role in the opening ceremony at the company’s Technical Festival in December. Programming a brand new conventional robot to perform […]
A powerful, 6-axis hydraulic manipulator arm designed for use in the nuclear decommissioning industry relies on a motion control system from Moog. The company was approached by James Fisher Nuclear (JFN) for the hydraulic motion system, including modelling and simulating the product design. A manipulator arm is used to grasp and move materials without direct […]
Robotic handling systems and packing technology can help manufacturers to improve their competitive edge, improve product quality, reduce waste and increase throughput, with significant increases to the efficiency of packaging lines. Pacepacker Services recently held an open day event to show just that, demonstrating a 25m² bulk solids automated packing line featuring the latest sack, […]
Combining 3D vision technology with the latest in SCARA robots has solved a tricky cake decorating problem. But it also opens up the potential to bring a new level of automation across a huge spread of industries outside of food and beverage. Quasar Automation wanted to create a system that can neatly apply icing or […]
SICK UK says its new MPS magnetic position sensor and MPA magnetic position sensor promise unrivalled levels of accuracy and control, combined with the versatility to be used in robotics applications. The key to the high performance of these magnetic position sensor models is a continuous analogue output signal for precision non-contact detection at all […]
Ultrasonic Sciences Limited (USL) based in Aldershot, Hampshire, UK are leaders in the design and manufacture of automated and semi-automated ultrasonic testing systems. Many of their systems are in use around the world testing highly critical metallic and composite components mainly in the aerospace and metals industries. When USL decided to manufacture a fully automated […]
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 […]
Automating with robotics at MachineBuilding.South
Industry commentators agree that UK manufacturers will need to increase their investment in robotics if they are to keep up with international competition. At MachineBuilding.South you can find out how, with numerous exhibits from robotics, control, automation and safety specialists. LG Motion (Stand 46) will be showcasing Techman Robot (TM Robot) collaborative robots at MachineBuilding.South with […]
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 […]
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, […]
Lingering reluctance to invest in robotic automation
A recent survey of UK manufacturers carried out on behalf of ABB Robotics has revealed that concerns over cost of ownership and lack of experience in implementing and using robots are preventing many companies from investing in robotic automation. The survey received responses from 221 companies of all sizes, including SMEs. Of these, 134 are […]