Since the mid-1990s manufacturing’s share of the European Union’s GDP has fallen from 21% to 15%, and this decline has been partly due to competition from developing economies. However, over time the collaboration between humans and robots has evolved and grown in importance on the factory floor. This trend has the potential to reignite competition […]
Brillopak director David Jahn has highlighted the potential crisis farmers, produce and soft fruit packers and meat packhouses face with a hard Brexit and how automated case loading can help to counteract the loss of EU seasonal labour and curb rising costs. Between May to September each year, more than 28,000 EU workers come to […]
Will Bourn of Gudel UK looks at the UK’s past record of investment in robotics and automation and the positive impact that future investment in automation and robotics can have on UK competitiveness. The UK is currently in the midst of some of the most significant political and economic changes seen in a generation. As […]
Can an automation system be more than just the sum of its parts? Barry Weller of Mitsubishi Electric argues that it can and that the age of the PLC platform is now bringing a host of benefits that extend far beyond ease of programming and simplicity of integration. Replacements and upgrades aside, it is rare […]
If you’re thinking about automating and you’re not sure where to start, here is a quick guide for your first steps towards automating your manufacturing processes. Decide on the processes you’d like to automate Look at your manufacturing facilities and identify the different processes you would like to automate. Start with the simplest and most […]
Production and packing lines will stop working for any number of reasons, but the default assumption will often be that a robotic malfunction is to blame. Instead of scapegoating the technology, Paul Wilkinson, commercial and information systems manager at Pacepacker Services, offers some advice on getting to the root of the problem. Robots are too […]
Konrad Lorenz won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1973 for his experiments with animal behaviour. Lorenz discovered the principle of imprinting, where a bond is formed between a new born animal and a caregiver. This is the mechanism where an auditory or visual stimulus is used to induce the young to follow […]
There’s never been a better time for food and drink SMEs to invest in robots for the workplace. Sales and exports are booming, and robots are more powerful than ever. Paul Wilkinson, Commercial & Information Systems Manager at Pacepacker Services, examines the current challenges of the food and drink industry and details how robots can […]
Advancements in collaborative robots, or cobots, are creating a bit of a buzz in manufacturing and the way humans and robots interact safely alongside each other. Yet, food processing, packaging and palletising lines remain largely cobot-free zones. Paul Wilkinson, commercial and information systems manager at Pacepacker Services explains why cobots, which currently account for an […]
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 […]
Greater reach and flexibility for industrial automation
With Thomson’s Movotrak Cobot Transfer Unit (CTU), Rodriguez is offering a collaborative reach extension for cobots for the first time. The solution extends the workspace by a movable 7th axis and enables a cobot to be deployed at multiple stations within a production line. This allows production processes to be structured more flexibly and robot […]
Regal Rexnord announces collaboration with FANUC
Regal Rexnord has announced a strategic collaboration with robotics and automation leader FANUC to deliver a fully integrated collaborative robotics solution that combines expertise from many of its brands. The solution leverages Thomson linear motion technology alongside Boston Gear gearheads, Huco couplings and Kollmorgen motors and software, enabling FANUC CRX users to deploy the Thomson […]
Rodriguez brings Cobot Transfer Unit to AMB
From 15 to 19 September 2026, Rodriguez will be showcasing the MovoTrak Cobot Transfer Unit (CTU) at AMB in Stuttgart. With the MovoTrak CTU, Rodriguez is offering, for the first time, a collaboratively designed range extension for cobots. The solution expands the working area by adding a movable 7th axis and enables a cobot to […]
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Endoline appoints new engineering manager
Endoline Automation has appointed Christopher Tracey as engineering manager, reinforcing the company’s continued investment in its in-house expertise as demand grows for its end-of-line packaging systems in the UK and international markets. Christopher’s appointment reflects Endoline’s continued growth and commitment to investing in its engineering capability. He will lead the engineering team while working alongside […]
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 […]
TM Robotics dispels the Industry 4.0 myths
Machinery automation could be compared to the human body. Our eyes are the sensors that monitor operations. Our hands are the actuation to manoeuvre things around us. Finally, our brains are the process control, providing intelligence and managing processes. Traditionally, machines in industrial environments could only provide actuation, but not anymore. As we enter the […]