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 […]
To work efficiently, mobile robots need safe and reliable communication. The experts at HMS Networks outline the main communication and safety challenges, and provide an easy way to overcome these challenges to keep mobile robots moving. Mobile robots transport materials from one location to another and come in two types, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and […]
The robots of today need one principal attribute: flexibility. Much of this flexibility comes courtesy of the end-of-arm tooling (gripper). Marcus Mazetti, global account manager at SMC, guides us through the factors to bear in mind when selecting gripper technology. Once the preserve of high-volume operations at automotive plants, we’re today finding that robots are […]
In recent years, the topics of energy generation, energy efficiency and sustainability have been prominent as industry continued its drive to achieve a greener future and make a tangible contribution to the objectives of ‘Net-Zero’. Today, we are in a world where these same businesses, which were already not only striving for energy efficiency, but […]
The robotics engineering industry needs to act now to address the widening skills gap within the sector by nurturing the next generation of talent, says industrial automation innovator Fanuc UK. It’s no secret that UK engineering and manufacturing are grappling with a serious skills shortage problem. The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s annual Skills Survey […]
Peter Newman, director at Brillopak, explains that automation should not be feared and that proven industry technology combined with proper planning can prevent myriad issues, while delivering significant performance increases. Investment in automation in food packing is no longer a medium-term aspiration, it is now a short-term business imperative. And with an optimum combination of […]
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 […]
Automating with robotics at MachineBuilding.South
Industry commentators agree that UK manufacturers will need to increase their investment in robotics if they are to keep up with international competition. At MachineBuilding.South you can find out how, with numerous exhibits from robotics, control, automation and safety specialists. LG Motion (Stand 46) will be showcasing Techman Robot (TM Robot) collaborative robots at MachineBuilding.South with […]
Annual robot shipments to top 760k units in 2030
The industrial robot industry saw 5.1% growth in 2025, following a contraction of -2% in 2024, Interact Analysis reports. The market is now forecast to record steady growth out to 2030, at an average annual rate of 6.7%, rising from 549,555 units in 2025 to 761,303 units in 2030. The latest industrial robots report from […]
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 […]
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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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 […]
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, […]
Industrial security is linked to machinery safety
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, […]