In this interview, we talk about robotic grippers with the experts at Schunk, whose Co-act EGP-C gripper has now also been DGUV certified for HRC operations by the German Social Accident Insurance, following the certification of the SVH 5-finger hand. Why is certifying individual components so important for you, when it is actually the entire […]
As the plant floor has become more digitally connected, the relationship between robots and machine vision has merged into a single, seamless platform, setting the stage for a new generation of more responsive vision-driven robotic systems. BitFlow, a global innovator in frame grabbers used in industrial imaging, predicts vision-guided robots will be one of the […]
Factories populated by autonomous vehicles delivering parts and sub-assemblies across the shop floor, robots working alongside human operators to assemble customised products – all scheduled automatically by live orders placed online. While this is a utopian vision of manufacturing for many and there are certain industry sectors where the journey to smart manufacturing is a […]
Robot tax? A tax on robotics is as absurd an idea as a tax on pencils. As Britain’s political parties discuss a potential tax on automation and robotics, Nigel Smith, managing director of Toshiba Machine partner, TM Robotics, explains why slowing down the machine economy would lead to a productivity disaster. The world’s first robot […]
The use of collaborative robots can be considered to be part of the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 4.0. ISO 8373 defines an Industrial Robot as: “An automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more axes, which may be either fixed in place or mobile for use in industrial automation applications.” Collaborative Robots, sometimes […]
David Jahn, director at packaging automation specialist Brillopak, examines how robotics can help food manufacturers and packhouses to seize the opportunities presented by disruptive packaging trends. Environmental concerns have been a consideration in packaging development for some years, but events in recent months have brought about a paradigm shift on packaging sustainability. Blue Planet II’s […]
In food produce environments and packhouses, the benefits of automation when it comes to workforce health and safety are uncontended. From eliminating arduous and repetitive tasks to working uninterrupted within inhospitable chilled settings, robots are most certainly the future. Case loading specialist Brillopak and industrial automation pioneer Omron explore how smart robots, hardware and software […]
Fanuc UK’s managing director, Tom Bouchier, has called on businesses across the UK to work together to improve productivity and global competitivity during a keynote speech at Fanuc’s UK facility in Ansty Park, Coventry, on Thursday 16th March. Speaking at the event, Mr. Bouchier said: “As a nation, our manufacturing output is consistently behind other […]
Taking on tasks such as stretch wrapping, packaging handling and palletising, robotics can significantly accelerate highly repetitive manual tasks on the product line. Employees can be freed up from strenuous tasks and reassigned to other responsibilities, not only providing them with opportunities to undertake more varied activities, but also allowing older staff members to remain […]
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 […]
ESAB simplifies robotic welding deployment
ESAB has introduced the ROBBI 360, an enclosed cobot welding cell with a manual turntable that is designed to increase productivity, improve weld quality and enhance operator safety in robotic MIG/MAG welding. Engineered for manufacturers seeking to quickly deploy an automated solution for medium- and high-volume applications, the ROBBI 360 cobot provides flexibility and user-friendly […]
Powering the factories of the future
The combination of collaborative robotics and in-process digital metrology represents a strategic convergence for the manufacturing industry and factories of the future. On the one hand, collaborative robots make it possible to automate handling and assembly tasks flexibly and safely without the need for physical barriers and, on the other hand, digital metrology integrated into […]
Cobot installed at steering systems manufacturer
Steering systems manufacturer, Pailton Engineering, continues to modernise its manufacturing processes with a new collaborative robot (cobot) at its facility in Coventry. After a successful trial period, the company is installing a FAIRINO FR10 on the induction hardening ball pin cell, where it works alongside existing team members to support production. Designed to work alongside […]
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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Efficient palletising in the food industry
Intelligent automation with the Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow plus chain conveyor system and Hitmark Robotics solutions is delivering efficient palletising solutions for the food industry. In the food industry, solutions are in demand that increase efficiency, meet strict hygiene and safety requirements, and enable gentle product transport. Therefore, manufacturers are increasingly investing in modern automation that […]
ROBOTICS AWARD 2026 goes to GoodBytz
Presented annually at HANNOVER MESSE by Deutsche Messe, the ROBOTICS AWARD honours innovative robot assisted solutions in the fields of automation and logistics. This year’s award-winning solution features an advanced robotic kitchen that integrates lightweight, compact industrial robots manufactured by FANUC. The FANUC robots are specifically engineered to meet stringent food processing requirements, incorporating specialised […]
Automating the food sector: efficiency in action
The food and beverage industry has been slower to adopt automation than some other areas of manufacturing. Short-term supplier contracts and a reliance on cheap labour have proved obstacles to investment for some food producers, limiting their ability to grow their production capabilities. Fortunately, automation systems incorporating robotics from leading suppliers such as FANUC are […]
10 reasons why robotics have a place in your manufacturing operations
We know robots can benefit manufacturing through speed and accuracy, but they can also drive improvement in less obvious areas like safety and data capture. The UK Government’s ‘Made Smarter’ review estimates that automation and robotics present an £183.6 billion opportunity for the British economy. Yet British industry’s uptake of robotics lags behind other advanced […]