CKF Systems was delighted to reach the end of its 35th year of successful, thriving business operation in 2023 with the largest order intake in its history. CKF is a leading robotics and automation systems integrator based in Gloucester, UK. CKF is celebrating three and a half decades of commitment to designing, manufacturing and installing […]
ABB has acquired Swiss start-up Sevensense, a leading provider of AI-enabled 3D vision navigation technology for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Sevensense was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Swiss technical University, ETH Zurich. “This marks a significant step towards our vision of a workplace where AI-enabled robots assist people, addressing our customers’ needs for […]
FANUC has joined forces with baking oven manufacturer WIESHEU and retail specialist Wanzl to develop the automatic Bakisto system. Comprising three interconnected systems – a FANUC cobot; Wanzl’s smart baked goods presenter ‘BakeOff i’ featuring artificial intelligence and a network-enabled baking oven; and the WIESHEU TrayMotion automatic loading and unloading system – Bakisto automates important […]
Could 2024 be the year that UK manufacturers finally embrace robotics? After trailing behind our international counterparts for years, the UK is now starting to catch up when it comes to the installation of industrial robotics. Seven experts from FANUC UK share their views on the hottest automation trends to look out for in 2024. […]
RARUK Automation will be showcasing the latest robotic technology to improve the efficiency of internal logistics operations at Retail Supply Chain and Logistics Expo. The event will be taking place from 27-28 February at the ExCeL London. On stand SC3011, RARUK Automation will be combining cobots and AMRs in a palletising demonstration. As the only […]
To enable its ReBeL cobot to be able to take on more human-style tasks, igus has developed a finger gripper. It is made entirely of lubrication-free plastics, making it cost-effective and easy to integrate. igus’s ReBeL is a compact and lightweight cobot that makes it possible to get into robotics with relatively low investment, making […]
Up until now, industrial Ethernet has only been able to reach the control level before it needs to switch to BUS systems via gateways. Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), delivered via HARTING’s T1 Industrial connector, allows equipment to connect via end-to-end IP-based communications right up into the field level. HARTING says there is immense potential for […]
As companies make increasing use of cobots and modular machinery for flexible manufacturing, plug and play connectorisation is needed so that systems can be disconnected and reconnected quickly, without the need for skilled labour and with no risk of miswiring. The experts at HARTING explain. Research carried out by the World Economic Forum in 2020 […]
Sanofi, one of the world’s leading vaccine manufacturers, Sanofi, has implemented an OMRON palletising solution with robotics to enhance efficiency and relieve workers from strenuous tasks. At Sanofi’s Marcy-l’Étoile site, where one billion doses of vaccine are produced and distributed annually to 150 countries, the focus is on continuous improvement and streamlining processes. One area […]
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 […]
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 […]
Robots to shape the future of food manufacturing
The adoption of robotics is set to change the face of food manufacturing for the better, both for primary and secondary processing and packaging tasks, as Paul Carter, robotics sales manager at FANUC UK, explains. Many food producers still heavily reliant on manual labour and semi-automated equipment. Figures from the IFR 2022 World Robotics Industrial […]