In today’s competitive environment, business profitability often relies on demanding production schedules that don’t always leave time for exhaustive or repeated equipment health checks. With manufacturers often lacking the resources, knowledge or time to regularly check robotic equipment, remote monitoring of a robots health anywhere in the UK with ABB’s Remote Service Technology is invaluable, […]
Greencore Prepared Meals, Warrington, has successfully implemented its first automated packaging line for its high output lasagne products without any disruption to production. The end of line system comprising two Kawasaki FD50 robots, conveyors and guarding was delivered, installed and made available for commissioning during a single weekly hygiene shift. Other than checkweighers and metal […]
Increased flexibility for shelf ready packaging lines is being offered by food packaging automation specialists Abar with its new LR-80TCR Loading System. A FANUC Robotics M10-iA robot is the core automation component of the LR-80TCR allowing loading speeds of thermo formed or top sealed rigid trays at speeds of up to 200 ppm. Each new […]
TM Robotics has launched Toshiba Machine’s THP550 SCARA, the first robot in a new range of machines set to compete with the flexipicker style devices already on the market. Its impressive speed and Ethernet connectivity make it ideal for robot synchronisation on a production line. As a result, two or more SCARAs can work together, […]
ABB is further enhancing its current palletizing market product line by introducing two new robots, three new grippers, and a comprehensive software program to complement its existing palletizing product range. “We are serious about serving this market,” says Klas Bengtsson, product manager at ABB Robotics. “The new complete range now addresses all integrator and customer […]
TM Robotics (Europe) has launched Toshiba Machine’s smallest ever SCARA robot, the compact and high speed TH180. The company says the robot is ideal for highly precise pick and place applications, like those found in the electronics, pharmaceutical and laboratory industries. The TH180 has a functional payload of 2kg, which is more than adequate for […]
TM Robotics (Europe) has launched the new Toshiba Machine TH1200A SCARA robot – the new robot is the largest in the Toshiba Machine family. The company says the new robot will find uses in heavy duty pick and place applications, such as packaging and heavy materials handling. The TH1200A has an impressive payload of 20kg […]
Ecotile, a manufacturer and distributor of interlocking floor tiles, has fully automated its manufacturing process using a single FANUC Robotics robot working between two Sumitomo (SHI) DEMAG injection moulding presses. Using advanced gripper design from systems integrator Hi-Tech Automation has allowed Ecotile to overcome handling issues associated with flexible PVC. Two years ago Ecotile made […]
Easy integration of B&R motion controllers with Staübli robots is assured thanks to the adoption of POWERLINK interfaces on Staübli’s uniVAL drives, enabling Generic Motion Control programs from B&R controllers to be transferred to the robots. In this way, robotics engineers can use the uniform programming and operating environment provided by B&R controllers. Robots are […]
Alan Shilton, managing director of Halesowen-based KUKA Automation + Robotics, believes greater use of robots will make it easier for UK manufacturers to become more competitive at home and abroad. His comments come as a new government grant is introduced, promoting the benefits of automation will help kick start a wave of long overdue investment […]
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 […]
Application phase for 10th vector award is now open
The application phase of the igus vector award 2026 has begun. Now in its tenth year, a joint initiative is honouring designers worldwide who use high-performance plastic energy chains to create cable guides that set new technological standards, with winners to receive up to 5,000 euros in prize money. The vector award has gained international […]
Cobot completes one millionth PCB quality check
Hanover Displays, a UK-based manufacturer of passenger information systems for the public transport sector, has reached a major manufacturing milestone: the completion of its 1,000,000th automated quality test of printed circuit boards (PCBs) using Techman collaborative robots from LG Motion. The automation programme began in 2018, when Hanover introduced its first collaborative robot to improve […]
UR and Scale AI launch imitation learning system
Universal Robots (UR) unveiled the UR AI Trainer at GTC 2026 in Silicon Valley. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a tectonic shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks. These systems are powered by robust data generated in AI training cells where robots imitate humans. “Our customers, ranging from […]
The beverage palletising shift is accelerating
Martin Ray Winery in Napa Valley has deployed its first lean cobot palletising workcell and achieved a 16-month ROI, with the system installed in just two days. You can find out all about it in a webinar hosted by Robotiq on 19 March. Across Europe and North America, beverage producers, from kombucha and bottled water […]
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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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, […]
The beverage palletising shift is accelerating
Martin Ray Winery in Napa Valley has deployed its first lean cobot palletising workcell and achieved a 16-month ROI, with the system installed in just two days. You can find out all about it in a webinar hosted by Robotiq on 19 March. Across Europe and North America, beverage producers, from kombucha and bottled water […]
Robotics, vision and AI combine for dairy processes
Automation solutions provider Eberle Automatische Systeme has developed a breakthrough in quality control with a focus on the cheese-ripening process, combining AI with machine vision software from MVTec. The food industry is experiencing a transformative shift in quality control, due in part to advances in artificial intelligence (AI). When combined with rule-based machine vision, AI […]