The growing importance of automation in British manufacturing has prompted the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) to bolster its visibility. One of the steps it has taken is to introduce three new council positions to expand resources in its dealings with the Government and industry as well as financial and academic institutions. Two of […]
Gantry robot, positioning, linear motion, speed control, palletising and handling systems are now all part of the comprehensive range of automation solutions from Micromech Systems. These gantry robot and broader automation solutions address applications in a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, packaging and automotive. A Micromech gantry robot can be developed and […]
FANUC’s LR Mate 200-iD robot range has two new additions; the 200iD/4S ideal for integration into confined spaces and the 200iD/7L for high speed handling applications where extra reach is required. Designed with compactness in mind for integration into special purpose machinery, the 200iD/4S has a footprint of 160 x 160 mm and weighs in at […]
Automation technology is proving it can mix effectively and unobtrusively with the heritage craft of barrel manufacturing at Speyside Cooperage in Alloa. Two Kawasaki robots and a purpose designed lathe are being used in the refurbishment process of traditionally built oak barrels. An independent cooperage, Speyside manufactures and refurbishes over 100,000 oak barrels a year […]
RA Rodriguez is pleased to confirm the arrival of a new release of software for the Universal Robot easy programming, even easier. It also introduces new features, including a force mode. Simple programming is one of the key attributes that makes the Universal Robot from RA Rodriguez such a good choice for any manufacturer regardless […]
Engineers, scientists and mathematicians in the Centre for Robotics Research (CoRe) at Kings College London are working on a number of different projects, each designed to take robot technology forward. Their time horizon is 25 years or more; the idea is not so much small scale improvements to existing technologies but the foundation of fundamentally […]
RA Rodriguez says its range of rotaryARM swivel arm modules from IEF Werner can be easily integrated with the company’s linear motion modules to create fast and cost effective automation systems with many advantages over traditional robots. The simple and compact design of this swivel arm module can be complemented by an integrated turning axis […]
ABB’s new PC-based RobotStudio Machine Tending PowerPac and controller-based RobotWare Machine Tending software allow for simulation, validation and optimization to be completed in the 3D virtual world and then transferred directly to the real-world. These new robotic machine tending software solutions deliver flexibility and ease-of-use for applications from die-casting to injection molding and machining. Cycle times, […]
ABB Robotics has launched its GateFramer robotic car body framing system, enabling multiple cars to be produced on the same line, while maintaining short cycle times, high accuracy, high reliability and ease of operation. The technology allows for up to six different car body variants to be framed on the same line by swapping gates […]
Application phase for 10th vector award is now open
The application phase of the igus vector award 2026 has begun. Now in its tenth year, a joint initiative is honouring designers worldwide who use high-performance plastic energy chains to create cable guides that set new technological standards, with winners to receive up to 5,000 euros in prize money. The vector award has gained international […]
ChocoMatic comes to life with igus 7th axis
When customers tap a screen to choose their favourite chocolates, Roose Automation’s ‘ChocoMatic’ robot arm travels along a linear track, selects each chocolate, and delivers them without human intervention. Behind this playful, hygienic automation lies a clever piece of engineering: the 7th axis from igus. Roose Automation wanted to give its robot arm the freedom […]
Cost-effective robotic automation products
Mouser Electronics announces a distribution agreement with igus, a global leader in industrial and automation products. With over 60 years of design experience and a strong reputation for quality, igus offers a range of technically advanced “motion plastics” designed for Industry 4.0 and 5.0. The igus product portfolio includes flexible cables, robotic components, motor control […]
High-payload collaborative robots from OMRON
OMRON Robotics and Safety Technologies has expanded its TM S Series collaborative robot portfolio with three new models and a major software update, supporting manufacturers facing labour shortages and increasing requirements for flexible, high-mix production. The TM30S, TM20S and TM6S extend the series’ payload and reach capabilities for applications such as palletising, machine tending and […]
RARUK Automation demos cobot palletising solution
On 11-12 February 2026, Packaging Innovations and EMPACK will be returning to the NEC in Birmingham. RARUK Automation will be showcasing the PE10 Robotiq Palletising Solution designed specifically for Universal Robots collaborative robots (cobots). Palletising is a repetitive and strenuous task that poses risk of injury to workers. For manufacturers looking to increase efficiency, palletising […]
New off-the-shelf and modular palletisers
End-of-line palletising is a task commonly automated across a range of industries, due to bottlenecks and the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) to workers. RARUK Automation can now offer two simple approaches to palletising automation, from partner Robotiq. RARUK Automation is the exclusive UK representative for Robotiq, a Canadian manufacturer of end-of-arm tooling 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
... Read More »
Automation and robotics in food manufacturing
At Food Manufacturing Live, Jake Norman, managing director at OAL, discusses applications for robotics in food factories to automate the likes of pick and place operations, palletising, case packing and other areas. He highlights the picking of fresh fruit, with a particular demonstration on the stand showing a robot picking up oranges. “We work with […]
Bridging the gap in food and beverage plants
Food and beverage plants increasingly operate with a blend of equipment generations: legacy machinery that has served reliably for years, and newer automation technologies designed to enhance efficiency, traceability and sustainability. This hybrid setup gives manufacturers flexibility to modernise gradually, but it also presents a growing challenge: how to maintain ageing assets while integrating more […]
FANUC robot pairs hygiene with high performance
To meet the growing demand for food and cleanroom applications, FANUC has unveiled the latest model in its LR Mate industrial robot range. The compact and powerful LR Mate 10-11A Food/Clean has a 10kg payload and is compliant with ISO 4 Class cleanrooms. This makes it ideal for use in highly controlled environments across sectors […]
The challenges of today’s machine building industry
The ramping up of the low wage economies in the machine building sector means that OEMs often feel they are working under the shadow of the threat of cheap imports. In the first of a series of articles, Omron’s Robert Brooks and Karl Walker look at the ‘must-have’ features that will keep UK machine builders […]