Enclosures are designed to enclose robots and other lab-automated processes by providing exhaust air systems or HEPA-filtered clean workstations. Robots are beneficial in many applications and are proven to increase efficiency and productivity. Robots integrated into existing facilities are shown to increase output and improve quality while providing additional flexibility in the production process.

Enclosures are built to protect robotic processes from contamination and personnel from hazardous fumes. Utilising a flexible, modular design, HEMCO enclosures are engineered and built to exact customer size and design requirements.

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 Trevor King, who has been part of Endoline since its early days in the 1980s.

With more than 40 years’ service, Trevor has played an instrumental role in shaping Endoline’s engineering expertise and reputation for quality. He will continue to support the business, ensuring his extensive technical knowledge and experience remain an integral part of Endoline’s future as the company continues to grow.

Working alongside Endoline’s experienced team of mechanical, electrical and automation engineers, Christopher will oversee the design and development of the company’s end-of-line packaging machinery. His role will focus on driving continuous improvement, supporting new product development and ensuring customers continue to benefit from innovative, reliable engineering solutions.

“What attracted me to Endoline was the opportunity to join a highly specialised engineering business that’s genuinely committed to delivering bespoke solutions for its customers,” said Christopher. “There’s a real sense of pride throughout the company, and every machine is designed with a clear focus on meeting the customer’s specific requirements.

“The complexity behind many of these projects is far greater than people realise, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that creates innovative solutions to meet those challenges. It’s also a privilege to be part of a business that champions British manufacturing excellence both here in the UK and internationally.”

For more than 45 years, Endoline has designed and manufactured robust, high-quality end-of-line packaging systems for customers across the food, beverage and consumer goods sectors.

A key strength of the business is its ability to engineer solutions around each customer’s exact operational requirements. Rather than supplying standard equipment, Endoline’s in-house team works closely with customers to understand their production environment, packaging formats and operational challenges before designing automation solutions tailored to their individual needs.

Andrew Yates, managing director of Endoline Automation, said: “Engineering has always been at the heart of Endoline. No two production lines are ever the same, which is why we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Our engineers work closely with the sales team and every customer to develop solutions that are tailored to their exact operational requirements, whether that’s adapting an existing machine or creating something completely bespoke.

Christopher’s appointment strengthens that capability and reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in the people and expertise that have underpinned our success for more than four decades.”

Looking ahead, Christopher is focused on supporting the engineering team as the business continues to expand.

He added: “Strong engineering is fundamental to successful automation. Customers invest in automation to improve efficiency and reliability, so it’s essential that every solution is robust, well-designed and fit for purpose. That all starts on the drawing board. My focus is on supporting our talented engineering team, driving continuous improvement and ensuring we continue to bring innovative, high-quality solutions to market as Endoline grows.”

By embedding smart sensing directly into the end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), the project provides real-time grip quality validation, ensuring precision and reliability in highly regulated, fast-moving packaging lines.

In high-speed cosmetics manufacturing, traditional robotic handling systems often struggle with lightweight, flexible components that have tight tolerances, such as deformable thermoformed trays. Whilst industrial robots excel at execution, speed and repeatability, their physical interactions present significant risks. Without tactile feedback, an imbalanced grip can lead to product loss or tray deformation. Traditional validation methods relying on simple position tracking or binary detection offer very little visibility into the actual quality of physical contact, prompting Siléane to seek a measurement-driven alternative to guarantee confidence in every cycle without slowing down the process.

Tactile intelligence at the point of interaction

Rather than increasing system complexity with external inspection steps, Siléane embedded force measurement directly at the point of interaction between the robot and the product. Partnering with HBK, Siléane integrated four factory-calibrated PW22i smart load cells – equipped with IO-Link – directly into the robotic gripper, placing one sensor at each contact point.

This Industry 4.0 setup enables the robot to validate grip quality instantly at the source, capture real-time force data, and respond immediately to any physical deviations during the gripping cycle – whilst simultaneously integrating seamlessly into modern automation architectures.

Simon Kleefeldt, HBK Product Manager Weighing Technology, explains the significance of this development: “This project reflects a fundamental shift in automation: embedding intelligence at the sensor level, to build systems that are more reliable, more autonomous and easier to deploy.”

HBK accelerated the evolution of its proven PW22 load cell – originally designed for demanding, high-speed dynamic weighing applications like checkweighing and filling – into the PW22i by integrating IO-Link connectivity to meet real-world integration demands.

Immediate operational benefits

The integration of the PW22i load cells delivered immediate operational benefits, demonstrating how physical measurement intelligence can improve manufacturing performance. For the end customer, this translates to: zero-defect grip validation in real time across all contact points; significant reductions in product scrap and tray deformation; simplified system architecture with reduced cabling via IO-Link; and faster commissioning times and improved repeatability across installations, ultimately leading to a faster return on investment (ROI).

“Innovation is a core component of Delta’s corporate strategy. We consistently invest more than eight percent of our annual revenue in research and development. Design is a key aspect of this innovation strategy,” said Michael Mayer-Rosa, Senior Director of the Industrial Automation Business Group and Head of Intelligent Robot Systems (IRS) at Delta Electronics, EMEA Region.

“This award validates our team’s high standards in combining industrial robotics with a practical, safe, and efficient design. We are confident that the Delta D-Bot Robots, featuring industry-leading safety, efficiency, and practicality, will meet the demanding needs of our customers across a wide spectrum of applications.”

Delta first unveiled the collaborative robots series to the public in the spring of 2024. The series comprises six highly flexible models, each featuring six axes, payloads of up to 30 kg, and reach capabilities of up to 1,800 mm. The Delta D-Bot series also supports compatibility with OPC UA, PROFINET, EtherCAT, and Modbus TCP, allowing for seamless integration into existing industrial automation environments.

Safety at the core of product design

Collaborative robots are specifically designed to interact with humans within production environments. The “Reflex Safety” technology detects contact in real time and immediately stops robot movement to help prevent accidents and protect both personnel and equipment. The integration of advanced sensing technologies and collision detection capabilities maximise safety.

Furthermore, the Delta D-Bot series complies with IP66 protection standards and supports advanced safety protocols for operation in demanding industrial environments. Its robust design reduces susceptibility to dust and contamination while also simplifying cleaning and maintenance.

Flexible automation for production and logistics

Combined with Delta’s mobile robot platform (MAR – Mobile Autonomous Robot), the Delta D-Bot Collaborative Robot forms the hybrid mobile robotics solution “Delta Dynamic Duo”, a 2-in-1 system that automates flexible transportation and manipulation tasks such as palletising or pick-and-place operations within manufacturing and logistics settings.

The Delta D-Bot series was developed for rapid deployment across a wide range of industrial environments and designed to support diverse applications, including complex component assembly, material handling, and heavy-duty palletising. The collaborative robots combine high precision with efficient automation, helping manufacturers improve productivity and operational flexibility.

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EUROPAMA, (the Processing & Packaging EU Federation) has been founded as the European umbrella organisation for the processing and packaging machinery industry. The federation unites leading national trade associations to advocate for the sector’s interests with EU institutions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in relation to industrial policy, sustainability, and technological transformation.

Created with the intention of providing a stronger collective voice and influence at a European level, the federation was established at Interpack 2026 in Dusseldorf by Automate UK alongside founding members VDMA (Germany), UCIMA (Italy), Evolis (France), AMEC (Spain) and Swissmem (Switzerland).

EUROPAMA aims to use its voice to address a wealth of core issues including sustainability regulations, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), industrial competitiveness, automation and robotics policy and trade and manufacturing policy at a time when regulation and AI are reshaping the landscape of manufacturing. EUROPAMA will assist its members in dealing with new regulations so that they in turn can support their own membership.

Dan Thombs, Chief Executive Officer at Automate UK, said: “The creation of EUROPAMA marks a significant milestone in strengthening ties between British and European manufacturing innovation communities. With two thirds of all machines worldwide being made in Europe, it leads the future of processing and packaging machinery and is uniquely placed to align industry leadership with EU policy priorities whilst driving productivity and growth within the sector.

“Post-Brexit, it is vital that UK automation and packaging machinery businesses retain influence over regulations that affect European supply chains and exports, and it is our intention that in collaborating with our partners within Europama, our members will have a place in the discussions despite the UK no longer being an EU member.”

Scott McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, added: “Automate UK has evolved in recent years, proving itself to be far more than an events organisation committed to supporting the manufacturing and automation sector and increasingly cementing its position as a policy and productivity body.

“The establishment of EUROPAMA represents our continued commitment to ensuring that UK businesses remain firmly connected to European manufacturing innovation networks.

“By creating stronger links between European automation and packaging machinery associations, we can in turn help members navigate increasing regulation and sustainability requirements, and provide them with the access, insight, and relationships they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace,” he added.

EUROPAMA will offer member organisations access to a wide network of European counterparts, industry intelligence, regulatory guidance, and opportunities to participate in trade events across the continent.

Combining autonomous forklifts, tugs and movers on one platform, ABB Robotics enables customers to automate a broader range of material-handling and intralogistics processes. Offering market-leading accuracy, the F712 is designed for demanding material handling, end-of-line storage and warehouse operations across industries including automotive manufacturing, helping increase efficiency, flexibility and scalability.

“Across intralogistics operations, businesses are being asked to process greater volumes in less time, while working with increasingly limited resources,” said Marc Segura, President, ABB Robotics. “They are under pressure to move goods faster and with greater flexibility, while labour availability is becoming a critical constraint. As part of our journey to more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVR), we have combined advanced vision, mobility and intelligence in the Flexley Stack F712 forklift AMR, completing our scalable, AI-powered AMR portfolio.”

F712 is versatile, capable of handling multiple load types and sizes – including open and closed pallets, containers or racks- up to 2,000 kg and reaching heights of 8.5 metres.

The Flexley Stack AMR F712 joins the Flexley Tug and Flexley Mover in ABB Robotics’ growing Visual SLAM AMR portfolio. Applications include intralogistics tasks such as warehouse storage and retrieval, as well as line supply, end-of-line handling, body- and press-shop and drive-in and light buffer in the automotive and industries sector.

F712 uses Visual SLAM to map and navigate its environment, eliminating the need for pre-installed infrastructure like markers or reflectors. The AI-enabled Visual SLAM supports the autonomous decisions required to operate in complex, dynamic warehouse operations with a market-leading positional accuracy of ±10 mm. Together with AMR Studio, this shortens commissioning times by up to 20 percent and creates a versatile and reliable system that can adapt instantly when a warehouse or production floor layout changes. Certified to the latest ISO and ANSI safety standards, Flexley Stack F712 can safely operate at class-leading speeds of up to 1.7 m/s while loaded.

F712 is fully integrated with AMR Studio and is VDA5050 compatible, enabling seamless integration with ABB Robotics’ Visual SLAM AMRs and existing systems within a unified project. This makes it easy to manage complex projects and integrate different types of mobile robots. The no-code, drag-and-drop software suite supports rapid setup, fleet coordination, traffic management and real-time visualisation, allowing ABB Robotics’ tugs, movers and forklifts to operate together in the same layout for scalable turnkey automation projects.

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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 and placing them in their packaging – was still performed manually, which introduced delays and other constraints. Cranswick commissioned CWM Automation to design and deliver a fully automated pick-and-place system, allowing those employees to take on more skilled tasks.

“Automating this stage of the process presented some complex challenges,” said Asa Arvidsson, regional vice president EMEA north region, Rockwell Automation. “The new system had to operate with remarkable precision and speed. With our strategic collaboration with autonox Robotics, we were able to support CWM Automation in making this possible.”

Powered by Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley Kinetix VP low inertia servo motors controlled by an Allen-Bradley GuardLogix 5380 safety controller, the new end-of-line pick-and-place system accurately detects the presence and orientation of each sausage. It then uses an autonox Delta robot to pick up the sausage, properly align it and place it in the appropriate package – 240 times a minute.

“We’re very happy with the new pick-and-place system,” said Mark Lundgren, chief engineering manager at Cranswick Gourmet Sausage. “Thanks to Rockwell Automation and CWM Automation, we’re able to meet our production goals and deadlines in a way that is far more efficient and cost effective. Our labour productivity on the line is greatly increased and that means our staff not only have more skilled and comfortable jobs, they’re also often free to work on other production lines.”

“Cranswick had to have the new system up and running to meet their annual production target,” explained Mick Williams, managing director, CWM Automation, a Rockwell Automation Gold-Level OEM. “To achieve this, we worked closely with the Cranswick engineering team and the systems consultants at Rockwell Automation. It was a great cooperation, and together we met what was a very challenging deadline.”

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Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and beverage and FMCG environments, the session combined expert insight with live demonstrations and real-world application examples.

Throughout the morning, visitors had the opportunity to explore how cobots can help tackle ongoing industry challenges such as labour shortages, the need for improved consistency, and increasing pressure to deliver strong return on investment.

A key focus of the day was showcasing practical applications, with live demonstrations covering processes such as palletising, packaging, pick and place, and material handling. These demonstrations helped illustrate how flexible automation solutions can be deployed across a range of end of line tasks to improve productivity, quality, and ergonomics on the factory floor.

The event was specifically aimed at end users, providing a valuable opportunity to meet with experts from across the automation supply chain in one location. Attendees were able to speak directly with specialists in grippers, vision systems, robotics and integration, enabling them to gain tailored advice and discuss their individual production challenges in detail.

Integral to the success of the day was the support of four integration partners: Olympus Technologies (Adam Swallow), Protec (Alex Neal), Robotics and Automation (Mike Sharpe), and Jention (Russell Scion).

Each partner showcased a range of cobot-driven applications relevant to the food industry, demonstrating how collaborative robotics can be effectively applied to both packing and processing operations. These hands-on examples helped bring automation concepts to life, allowing visitors to see first-hand how solutions could be implemented in their own facilities.

The Masterclass also created a collaborative environment for networking and knowledge exchange, with attendees ranging from production managers and engineers to business leaders exploring automation strategies.

Overall, the event delivered on its aim to provide practical, actionable insight into food and beverage automation. Attendees left with a stronger understanding of where cobots can add value within their operations, as well as clear next steps for beginning or expanding their automation journey.

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STOBER supplied a system consisting of synchronous servo geared motors, cables and suitable drive controllers optimally tailored to the requirements.

“Our robot system can pick up a raw egg so carefully that it is not even damaged,” says Peter Butz, Product Developer at Eisenmann. This underscores the sensitivity with which the system can be controlled. Instead of handling eggs, the robot actually grips rims of different sizes and weights and supplies them to a paint line. In addition to industrial painting and handling systems, this mechanical engineering company also develops driverless transport systems and technologies for pre-treatment and filtration.

“All our solutions are unique, because we tailor them to our customers’ specific requirements,” says Butz. “They vary in the complex interplay of process steps and the corresponding conveyor systems.” In its development work, the company focuses on solutions that are cost-efficient and save resources – always with the aim of creating clear, comprehensible added value for its customers.

From pneumatics to electronics

With this goal in mind, Eisenmann has also optimised the handling system. “It consists of industrial robots with one or more grippers. We had previously installed pneumatic drives,” explains Peter Butz. Initially, there was a lot to be said for them: they are simple, dynamic and comparatively inexpensive to buy. Yet they are considered inefficient and only allow limited control. In addition, compressed air generation is energy-intensive, and leaks cause additional losses and costs. For this reason, Eisenmann opted for electric drives. These are significantly more energy-efficient and economical to operate and allow direct integration of sensors.

After deciding on a servo-electric drive solution, the aim was to integrate this technology into the existing gripper concept in a practical way. As they examined the new project requirements, the Eisenmann developers began to focus on drive solutions from STOBER.

With Klaus Buschko as their contact person in Sales and Robert Boger in Application Development, STOBER worked with Eisenmann to develop a suitable solution. The starting point was a pilot system that showed that the competitor’s drive technology, initially used as a prototype, did not fully meet the requirements for controllability. In particular, the two-cable solution originally planned proved to be a disadvantage when during gripper movement.

High-precision drive technology

With the STOBER solution, the gripper attached to the robot first moves towards the component at high speed, then stops a millimetre before touching it and approaches the rim at creep speed in a controlled manner to pick it up. This allows a sensitive approach – even a raw egg can be safely gripped without damaging it.

“A high holding torque is particularly important to us,” explains product developer Peter Butz. This is because the robot arm can stop moving abruptly and start up again quickly, while the rim must be held securely at all times. Therefore, the drive solution had to be lightweight and compact, since it is installed directly in the gripper.

STOBER supplied KL series helical bevel gearboxes with a directly mounted EZ synchronous servo motor. This compact unit offers good installation dimensions and high power density. “Thanks to their robust bearings and high-quality gearing, STOBER helical bevel gearboxes are extremely resilient and tilt-resistant,” explains Buschko.

Another important feature of this series is its very smooth operation. Since the gripper moves along two axes, the compact SC6 stand-alone drive controller is used for control. If additional grippers need to be added, the SC6 can be combined with the SI6 drive controller, which is designed for multi-axis drive systems. This enables solutions with two to five grippers, allowing Eisenmann to respond to a wide range of customer requirements.

The geared motors and drive controllers are connected via STOBER’s One Cable Solution (OCS). The hybrid cable with the future-proof EnDat 3 protocol transmits both encoder data and power data via a single cable. The result is an integrated system consisting of a synchronous servo geared motor, cable and drive controller. This avoids the problem that would arise with the planned two-cable solution and significantly reduces the installation effort.

Independent of the robot type

STOBER has added additional PROFINET functions to the SC6 and SI6 drive controllers. In conjunction with the SU6 safety module, they support safety functions such as STO (Safe Torque Off) and SS1 (Safe Stop 1) via PROFIsafe. “The possibility of free programming allows Eisenmann’s developers to contribute their own know-how at specific points.” The result is a flexible, multifunctional system that can be integrated into different types of robots, regardless of the manufacturer.

During the project, potential for optimising operation was also uncovered. During longer downtimes, the motors remain energised and thus generate heat. To avoid this thermal load, the drives were retrofitted with a brake.

STOBER also fitted torque arm brackets to the gearboxes. These absorb reaction torques or differential torques and transfer them to the surrounding support structure. This prevents the motor or housing from twisting. To achieve an even more compact design, the geometry of the supports was adapted accordingly.

Eisenmann now benefits from a drive system that is specially tailored to its requirements, as well as from responsive technical support. “With STOBER, we have chosen a future-proof, energy-efficient drive solution – one that is sensitive down to the last detail,” says Butz with satisfaction.

“Our customers are at the centre of everything we do, and we are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from Ford,” said John Bubnikovich, U.S. Country Leader of ABB Robotics. “This award reflects the dedication of our team and reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative automation solutions that help manufacturers improve productivity, flexibility and operational performance.”

This recognition reflects a collective effort across ABB Robotics’ operations, engineering, and frontline teams working together to deliver excellence to a leading global automaker.

“The Ford Supplier Awards & Summit is a key moment where we celebrate the vital companies we work with every day, who help us deliver iconic vehicles and services to customers,” said Liz Door, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Ford Motor Company. “We are so proud of the momentum underway at Ford and with our suppliers to find new ways to collaborate and unlock efficiencies. We are committed to building stronger and closer relationships so we can compete to win together.”

ABB Robotics was formally recognised at Ford’s supplier event in Detroit, Mich., where representatives from both companies came together to celebrate the achievement.

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