With a payload capability of up to 650kg and a maximum horizontal reach of 2.70m, the SMART NJ 650 robot from Comau has been designed to meet market requirements for robots that can efficiently manipulate components of significant size and weight. Surpassing the capabilities of the previous version, the SMART NJ 650 complete’s Comau’s range […]
Comau claims its new Racer 999 articulated robot is the fastest in its class, and can reduce cycle times by up to 25% when compared to the previous generation robot, thanks to increased fluidity of movement. Designed for a payload of 7kg, the robot has a cycle time of 0.702 seconds, and provides a reach […]
A three-way alliance between automation specialists Pacepacker Services, FANUC UK and Festo has scooped the coveted Robotics and Automation accolade at the 2014 Food Processing Magazine Awards. Pictured from left to right: Pacepacker’s Ian Merchant, Chris Francis and Andreas Fantousi collect the award from Paul Wilson, managing director of Scorpion Vision, Colin Harris from Festo […]
A new design of robot gripper was one of the highlights of the Festo stand at this year’s PPMA show. The MultiChoiceGripper is a flexible gripping concept that offers variable gripping based on the human hand. Pictured: Festo’s MultiChoiceGripper robot gripper picks up a ball using the centric grip. The form-fitting Fin Ray fingers on […]
Industrial logistics robot sales are growing fast, with a new study from Reportstock and WinterGreen Research estimating that the market will reach $31.3 billion by 2020. The report says that industrial logistics robot markets are becoming increasingly diversified, and that these robots will achieve significant growth in every sector. As production of goods and services […]
Registration is now open on the PPMA show, the UK’s premier free-to-attend complete production line event for processing and packaging machinery. Held at the NEC, Birmingham, from 30 September to 2 October, it showcases the latest technology from machinery, industrial robots at automation products to machine vision solutions. Click here to register and to keep […]
Specially designed to solve even the most complex palletising and depalletising challenges reliably and efficiently, the robotpac from Beumer Group is a space-saving, fully articulated palletising robot. It is able to stack bundles such as bags, cardboard boxes, canisters and trays safely and economically. Beumer Group is single-source provider for filling, palletising and packaging technologies. Over […]
Demonstrating compatibility and flexibility Kawasaki Robotics UK and TM Robotics (Toshiba Machine) will be joining forces at this year’s PPMA exhibition. Renowned in the fields of six-axes and high-speed SCARA arm robots, Kawasaki and TM will illustrate the straight-forward integration and compatibility of their products into a single packaging system. Kawasaki and TM have worked […]
Omron’s experts will be on hand at the PPMA Show to put its robotics capabilities in a fuller automation context, in the shape of a Delta pick-and-place robot. “This is a chance for visitors to see a Delta robot in action, but also talk through the benefits of robotics with regard to cost reduction, efficiency, […]
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, […]
Automation payback – 10 tips for achieving a 12 month ROI
Providers of automation equipment regularly talk around how their machines deliver optimum performance, boost workplace efficiency and increase output. All good stuff. However, for most, if not all customers, the return on investment (ROI) figures can be a real deal breaker. Richard Gladwin, Technical Director at award-winning system integrator Pacepacker Services offers 10 powerful tips […]