A cobot solution from FANUC and system integrator SKDK is alleviating health and safety issues at a German pharmaceutical manufacturing facility by working collaboratively with human employees to pack and stack packets of tablets onto pallets. Prior to the cobot’s installation, workers at the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company in Oranienburg, Germany were physically moving loads totalling […]
When a leading UK aerospace company commissioned Astech Projects to build a bespoke Automated Masking System to mask complex areas of aircraft components to avoid precious metal coverage during the manufacturing process, it turned to Intertronics. “The system was required to have the capability to mask 14 component variants, while offering the functionality to add […]
When the Geely Group needed to ramp-up production of its high-quality electric drive components, Comau was tasked with developing and deploying a new e-drive assembly line that would guarantee high-speed, end-to-end production of the electric motor, gearbox and inverter at its Geely Vremt plant. Comau provided Geely with a powerful process solution using multiple robots […]
Supermarket logistics may get a boost as igus, research institutes and the University of Bonn have developed a language model for low-cost automation solutions in order picking. A hackathon hosted by igus called “Artificial Intelligence meets Robotics” has developed advanced but cost-effective automation solutions for logistics, involving 17 people divided into three interdisciplinary teams. The […]
In manufacturing environments, unauthorised access can expose personnel to hazards and disrupt operational efficiency. Therefore, it is important to ensure that only authorised personnel can perform specific tasks. To address these challenges, one of the UK’s largest steelmakers implemented the FRANK system from Fortress Safety at one of its facilities where cold rolling and galvanising […]
FANUC has introduced the latest model to its extensive robot range, bringing greater versatility to lifting and handling operations. A large and heavy-payload industrial robot, the new M-950iA/500 boasts a wide motion range thanks to its serial-link configuration, meaning no interference of the main J3 arm with the J2 arm due to the absence of […]
ABB has entered into a strategic collaboration with Austria-based Engineering Software Steyr (ESS) to develop powerful simulation tools that will transform automotive paint shop operations while reducing costs by up to 30 percent. As part of the collaboration, ABB will take a minority investment in ESS. “Delivering faster and more energy efficient solutions for the […]
Not only do collaborative robots make welding more interesting and safe, they also make it more profitable – even for small batch sizes, as the experts at Fronius explain. Welding remains a vital joining process in the metalworking industry and it requires in-depth specialist knowledge and skill. Despite the attractive salary, the number of young […]
The pharmaceutical, biotechnology, veterinary and life sciences industries are subject to unique challenges where accuracy and efficiency are essential. This applies to all stages of production – including end of line packaging. Though automation use is increasing, many production lines still use human operators to pack products. In collaboration with robotics expert, TM Robotics, its […]
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 […]
Robot technology boosts production efficiency
With modern manufacturers coming under growing pressure to cut costs and retain skilled staff in a challenging job market, businesses are searching for new solutions that allow them to maximise efficiency without compromising on quality or safety. End-of-line palletising, powered by innovative collaborative robots, presents a new way for manufacturers to streamline their operations and […]