Stories by Company

Altec Engineering continues investment in production

Altec Engineering continues investment in production

Following completion of a £1.5m expansion programme earlier this year, which saw floor-space increase by 75%, Altec Engineering Group has now acquired a further 10,000 sq.ft of factory space behind its existing Durham facility. This additional floor-space is required to meet future investment plans in special purpose machine building, precision engineering and specialist coatings. In […]

By July 27, 2015 Read More →
Robot builder provides career signpost to STEM students

Robot builder provides career signpost to STEM students

Fourteen secondary students from two schools in Colchester – Stanway and Thomas Lord Audley – got the chance to showcase their robotic skills during a recent open day hosted at packing automation designer and manufacturer Pacepacker Services. During a tour of the Essex-based factory on the 14th July, the students were encouraged to investigate the […]

By July 27, 2015 Read More →
3D Machine Vision from Canon coming to Europe

3D Machine Vision from Canon coming to Europe

Canon has signaled its intention to tap into the 3D machine vision systems market for industrial robots, by bringing 3D Machine Vision systems to Europe. The Canon RV300 and RV500 and RV1100 3D machine vision Systems will go on sale in Europe in August 2015. 3D machine vision for use with industrial robots is estimated […]

By July 21, 2015 Read More →
3D smart sensors get even smarter

3D smart sensors get even smarter

LMI Technologies has introduced the firmware 4.2 update for the entire range of Gocator displacement, profile, and snapshot 3D smart sensors, in order to further enhance the ease, efficiency and productivity of the 3D inspection process. New features include part matching, a profile mode, emulator and a suite of 2D measurement tools. The new geometric […]

By July 20, 2015 Read More →
Single cable receptacle for robot welder connectors

Single cable receptacle for robot welder connectors

A single cable receptacle for robot spot welding connectors has been introduced by Multi-Contact. The empty flange-mounted receptacle is angled downwards at 30 degrees to reduce stress on the connectors, helping to direct the cables into the cable tray and making them easier to connect. The RobiFix B-ID range can house RobiFix male or female […]

By July 17, 2015 Read More →
3D Stinger Camera gives robots improved vision

3D Stinger Camera gives robots improved vision

3D Stinger Camera products from Scorpion Vision have been designed to provide production lines with a superior 3D imaging system. Now the company has introduced its latest 3D Stinger Camera technology, giving factory robots pin-point ‘mammalian’ vision. Thanks to innovative technology developed by Tordivel AS of Oslo, Scorpion Vision’s 3D Stinger Camera enables production-line robots […]

By July 13, 2015 Read More →
Altec acquires Sigma Technologies

Altec acquires Sigma Technologies

Altec Engineering, based in Bowburn in Durham has today announced the strategic acquisition of Sigma Technologies, adding high volume CNC component manufacture to Altec’s activities. Altec was attracted by Sigma’s approach to providing innovative solutions to clients needs including; stock build programmes, inventory control, KanBan solutions, Kitting, Sub-assembly and integrated MRP. This approach has resulted […]

By July 13, 2015 Read More →
PGN-plus Permanent reduces operating costs

PGN-plus Permanent reduces operating costs

PGN-plus Permanent is the latest innovation for the PGN-plus gripper from Schunk, employing a unique lubrication system. This provides faster, more even distribution of the lubricant in the PGN-plus Permanent gripper, even with short strokes. The complete contour of the patented multi-tooth guidance on the PGN-plus Permanent is equipped with grease pockets, which ensures a […]

By July 13, 2015 Read More →
CR-35iA collaborative robot offers 35kg payload

CR-35iA collaborative robot offers 35kg payload

FANUC Robotics UK has extended the application field for collaborative robots with the launch the human-safe CR-35iA which has a 35kg payload. The CR-35iA opens up applications that have previously been off limits for both traditional industrial robots and lighter duty collaborative robots. Over the last couple of years, the first generation of collaborative robots […]

By July 10, 2015 Read More →
Getting the best out of Total Cost of Ownership

Getting the best out of Total Cost of Ownership

It’s an unfortunate fact that UK manufacturers – particularly within the food industry – stall on investing in robotics and automation. Investing in equipment – which for some high-spec, fully automatic turnkey lines can cost almost as much as the UK’s average house price – can bring out the fear of the unknown in many […]

By July 2, 2015 Read More →