Winning a large retail contract is a coup for any food manufacturer. However, supermarket price wars and changing food presentations to gain and maintain the interest of consumers, means that many manufacturers are being squeezed out of the market. Paul Wilkinson, business development manager at Pacepacker Services, looks at how automation can help. Today, most […]
Collaborative robots – or cobots as most are affectionately known – are bringing the fences down in manufacturing and production facilities all over the world. Unlike early industrial robots that had to be isolated behind a protective cage, this new wave of robots comes equipped with sensors, vision and, in most cases, plenty of programmed […]
Here, Jonathan Wilkins marketing director of industrial automation supplier European Automation discusses the newest and perhaps most exciting realm of industrial robotics: collaborative robots. The world’s first industrial robot was an idea conceived after a conversation about science fiction novels between inventors George Devol and Joseph Eagleburger in 1954. Six years later, Unimate had secured […]
There’s been a surge of interest among food suppliers for robotics, observes Paul Wilkinson, business development manager at automation specialist Pacepacker Services. “Shows like MasterChef, Bake Off and celebrity cookery programmes, combined with a desire to lead healthier lives using fresh ingredients, are influencing people to cook everything from exotic cuisines to local produce from […]
Many perceived ‘barriers’ to investment and integration in robotics and automation for injection moulding (IM) are based more on misconceptions and out-of-date information than on current realities. Here, Nigel Flowers, managing director at IM machinery supplier Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK tackles some of those myths, with a focus on packaging moulding markets. Robotic automation in […]
The experts from Axelent discuss the important issue of guarding for robot cells when the guard is to be positioned within the motion range of the robot. We are often asked about the stability of guards in connection with robot installations, where the guard (fencing) needs to be placed in the motion range of a […]
Paul Wilkinson, business development manager at Pacepacker Services examines some of the issues behind today’s palletising requirements. Stack ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap was once a palletising tactic confined to wholesale outlets. Yet nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see pallet loads, especially around busy seasonal periods, carefully positioned on supermarket floors. More complex patterns, combined […]
Since 2008, the HMRC annual investment allowance (AIA) has been revised four times and from 1st January 2016 will drop from an interim allowance of £500k to the highest permanent AIA ever of £200k. Managing Director of Pacepacker Services, Dennis Allison, shows how much £200,000 could buy you in automated palletising equipment, illustrates the ROI […]
The uptake of automation and robotics here in the UK has “stalled” for a variety of reasons. Automation Consultant Mark Le Sueur discusses some of the perceived barriers to automation and highlights how, with a more pragmatic approach, UK manufacturers can realise the benefits of automating their production processes. Pictured right: With a more pragmatic […]
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 […]
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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 […]
FANUC: Selecting the right robot arm for the job
What determines the choice of palletising robot to handle product X at point Y on the line? With a choice of 20+ FANUC robots arms all capable of performing palletising tasks, Andrew Armstrong, UK sales and marketing manager at FANUC UK picks out some of the main criteria that factories should consider in order to […]