FANUC UK has welcomed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement to fully fund apprenticeships in small businesses. Taking effect from 1 April 2024, the move is expected to reduce costs and burdens for businesses and deliver more opportunities for people aged up to 21 to kick start their careers. In addition, £60 million of new government […]
There is now less than a month to go before FoodManufacturing.Live (1st May, at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham) opens its doors to visitors, with the exhibition’s workshop programme highlighting opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers to boost productivity, increase efficiency and meet current safety and security requirements. The world class workshop programme has been […]
igus chainflex cables for robotics and other industrial applications do not contain harmful PTFE and PFAS chemicals, likely to be banned by the EU – now demonstrated with the ‘PFAS free’ seal. Several compounds found in everyday products – per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, or PFAS for short – are harmful to the environment, humans and […]
Rockwell Automation has announced the results of the ninth annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report,” highlighting how artificial intelligence is being deployed in the UK to give the workforce superpowers and build resiliency in operations. Among many findings of the report, three major trends emerge from this report: the AI revolution is here for manufacturing, […]
Stäubli’s Simon Jenkins looks at the latest developments from the company and explains the benefits which its new SCOPE system will bring to the users of the company’s robot systems, analysing robot health and stress on the fly to produce notifications on upcoming maintenance. The concept of preventative or predictive maintenance is not new and […]
ABB Robotics is collaborating with UK-based tech start-up AUAR to advance the use of robotic micro-factories to build affordable, sustainable low energy timber homes. AUAR’s transformative approach to integrating robotic automation into the building process will tackle skills shortages, boost sustainability, and improve health and safety by deploying robots in a global network of local […]
NSK and the German Aerospace Centre are developing a robotic hand system that will help automate manual tasks, particularly in the service industry. The concept centres on a customisable robot hand comprising individually configurable finger modules, thought to be an industry-first. Through a combination of versatility and affordability, this innovative new product will contribute to […]
Recent stats show that 37 per cent of time spent on industrial operations could be automated. Reflecting on recent advancements, Stephen Hayes, managing director of Beckhoff UK, shares insights into how automation trends have begun to shape 2024. Today, businesses leverage automated processes to navigate complex challenges, ensuring accuracy, speed and adaptability in the face […]
RARUK Automation has been named Universal Robots’ Distributor of the Year. The prestigious award recognises the distributor that has achieved the largest growth and sales globally over the last year. Danish robotics manufacturer Universal Robots has a network of over 300 distributors worldwide. RARUK Automation has also been awarded Platinum Plus status. RARUK Automation is […]
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 […]
Regulatory guidance for collaborative robotics
Automate UK has announced a pioneering partnership with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) to create new guidance on how collaborative robots can safely work alongside humans. Along with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the organisations are working together with government and industry to support the safe and responsible adoption […]
STEMMER IMAGING launches new digital store
STEMMER IMAGING announces the launch of SIS-TA, Smart Industry Store – Technology Access, a newly established subsidiary designed to address the growing demand for fast, transparent, and highly efficient procurement processes within industrial automation. Launched officially on 1 June, SIS-TA introduces a fully digital and transactional sales platform for smart industry components, strategically expands STEMMER […]
Strong growth forecast for cobot shipments
Shipments of collaborative robots (cobots) are predicted to grow at an average annual rate of 17.3% from 2025 to 2030. According to the latest market report from Interact Analysis, shipments will almost double over the forecast period to 128,918 units. This follows a positive 2025, with shipments of cobots increasing 14.5% to approximately 57,000 units […]
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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 […]
The good, the bad and the future of generative AI
In the manufacturing industry, generative AI is being introduced at every step, from design to maintenance of assets. Here Stephen Hayes, managing director of Beckhoff UK, explores the benefits and risks of introducing generative AI into your manufacturing process. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global market for generative AI in manufacturing is expected […]