Good planning and strong partners help SMEs overcome hurdles in automation, says Peter Lange, business development manager for robotics at Omron. Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are enjoying great popularity because they make it possible to automate time-consuming and resource-intensive tasks. The global market for collaborative robots is currently estimated at around $1.2 billion. […]
From batteries to burgers, fast scanning is finding new inspection applications, as Paul Wilson, managing director of Scorpion Vision, explains. Tech advancements such as sophisticated sensor technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and faster microprocessors are conspiring to make line-scan camera technology a compelling option in a host of new areas. Inline quality control of web printing […]
While the information to implementation gap for robotics can be pretty significant, it is certainly closing fast, as the experts at LG Motion explain. Businesses are bearing the brunt as the UK economy battles to contain various pressures both at home and abroad. A weak pound, higher interest rates, increased energy costs, supply-chain issues and […]
The UK remains the ninth largest manufacturing nation in the world, with a £183bn output. But our seat at the top table is looking precarious as a result of our slow adoption of industrial automation, says Tom Bouchier, managing director of Fanuc UK The UK has a strong and proud manufacturing history and, for a […]
Industrial security not only includes the protection of data, but at the same time also guarantees the integrity of safety functions and measures, as the experts at Pilz explain. If a production worker starts up a plant, even though they are not authorised to do so, this is already considered a security incident. This manipulation, […]
While a new year is upon us, with all its opportunities, Omron Europe names the top five trends that will impact and shape industrial automation in 2023 and beyond. The manufacturing industries will continue to face many challenges and riding them out will involve building resilience and flexibility into business models. At the same time, […]
Barry Weller, robotics product manager at Mitsubishi Electric, looks at the benefits of implementing collaborative robots and how easy they are to integrate into existing laboratories. Automated R&D and testing laboratories where cobots work alongside operators are no longer a vision of the future, but rather a reality of the present. Whether they are used […]
Parents who despair about the number of hours their children spend glued to video games should take heart; today’s gamers are likely to be the robotic and vision engineers of tomorrow, says Scorpion Vision. It’s no secret that the UK manufacturing industry is experiencing a massive skills shortage. Indeed, the latest ONS figures show that […]
The experts at Beckhoff UK explain how robotics and automation can optimise workflow in factories as complex as a Santa’s and relieve pressure on the elves. Santa’s workshop is known for being pretty busy 364 days a year, especially around Christmas season. Elves are at the heart of production, helping Santa meet demand, before the […]
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 […]
Cobot motion and sensing for extended automation
The latest advances in technologies such as sensing, actuation, and perception are enabling cobots to tackle more complex and delicate processes in manufacturing and logistics activities, as the experts at Yamaha Robotics explain. Companies operating factories and warehouses can now choose from a wide variety of robots, ranging from familiar industrial types like cartesian and […]
ABB Robotics launches high-speed PoWa cobot family
ABB Robotics is combining the flexibility of cobots with higher payloads and performance, with the launch of its new PoWa cobot family into the rapidly expanding global collaborative robot market, which ABB Robotics estimates will grow by 20 percent annually through to 2028. “Cobots are growing significantly faster than traditional industrial robots, driven by demands […]
Flexible industrial automation solutions from Delta
Delta showcased its comprehensive portfolio of industrial automation solutions at Hannover Messe 2026, highlighting how its advanced drives, HMI panels, and controller solutions enable smarter manufacturing by improving energy efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. At the same time, Delta ensures robust protection for customers across a wide range of industries, from machinery and food and beverage […]
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 […]
Unlocking efficiency and productivity
Stephen Hayes, managing director at automation and control technology specialist Beckhoff UK, explores the benefits of integrating robots into a full manufacturing environment to unlock improved efficiency and productivity. Several components of a smart factory need to be integrated together in order for it to run effectively and efficiently. However, with many robots added once […]