Stories by Company

Schunk expands its team in the North and Midlands

Schunk expands its team in the North and Midlands

To support growth and enhance customer experiences and service, Schunk has expanded its team with the addition of Mark Lister and Steve Hardwidge. Pictured right: Mark Lister is the latest addition to the Schunk team, covering the North East and Scotland Steve will be servicing the needs of customers in the North West whilst Mark […]

By March 12, 2015 Read More →
Robot grippers complement collaborative robot range

Robot grippers complement collaborative robot range

Robot grippers from Robotiq now complete the Universal Robots package available from RA Rodriguez. Known for their ease of configuration, this range of robot grippers now includes the 2-finger 85 which has been specifically designed for collaborative work, in terms of payload, flexibility and user-friendliness. RA Rodriguez says the addition of the robot grippers extends […]

By March 10, 2015 Read More →
Why it pays UK food manufacturers to automate

Why it pays UK food manufacturers to automate

Food and drink manufacturers are this week backing calls to boost UK food production following reports that the nation’s self sufficiency is on the slide and within a generation over half of the UK’s food will be imported. Dennis Allison (pictured right), managing director of Pacepacker Services, explains why it pays UK food producers to […]

By February 26, 2015 Read More →
Robot safety functions mean homing once is enough

Robot safety functions mean homing once is enough

With SafeMOTION Release 1.9, B&R has updated the robot safety functions for the ACOPOSmulti servo drive family. In addition to two new functions – Remanent Safe Position (RSP) and Safely Limited Acceleration (SLA) – this update also introduces machine options for SafeMOTION parameters and improves both system availability and user-friendliness in applications where robot safety […]

By February 25, 2015 Read More →
New platform for Universal Robots accessories and peripherals

New platform for Universal Robots accessories and peripherals

Need a gripper, effector, accessory or peripheral for your Universal Robot? URCaps is a platform where distributors and integrators can present accessories that run successfully in UR robot applications at end users’ facilities. Universal Robots says that Caps are to robots, what apps are to smartphones: useful accessories, hardware and software extending the capabilities of UR […]

By February 24, 2015 Read More →
Blue laser profile scanner for challenging targets

Blue laser profile scanner for challenging targets

Micro-Epsilon UK has launched a range of 2D/3D laser profile sensors (laser line scanners) that operate using blue (violet) laser technology rather than red. The special characteristics of the blue wavelength laser light make the scanners suitable for a wide range of high precision profile and dimensional measurements on a variety of materials including shiny […]

By February 21, 2015 Read More →
Robots help to reduce manufacturing costs

Robots help to reduce manufacturing costs

ITW Imagedata is a specialist manufacturer of film ribbons and consumables for the global card industry. When it needed a new printer ribbon assembly machine for its highest volume products, it turned to Automation Consultancy GB Innomech. Seamlessly integrated into ITW’s existing production line, the new spool pairing and assembly machine is already helping the […]

By February 17, 2015 Read More →
SafeROBOTICS opens up food and beverage applications

SafeROBOTICS opens up food and beverage applications

With their SafeROBOTICS functions, B&R says its controllers open the way for new solutions for cooperation between humans and robots. These solutions built on SafeROBOTICS will be the focal point of B&R’s stand at the Anuga FoodTec trade fair in Cologne, Germany, 24-27 March. Pictured right: B&R will present SafeROBOTICS solutions at Anuga FoodTec 2015. […]

By February 14, 2015 Read More →
Mapping emotions for collaborative robots

Mapping emotions for collaborative robots

For reasons of safety, industrial robots tend to be segregated from humans, which can restrict the types of tasks that robots perform. This has led robot technologists to search for solutions to set robots free from their cages. If this can be achieved, the combination of dexterity and problem-solving skills of humans along with precision […]

By February 12, 2015 Read More →
Auxiliary robot arm for wheelchair users

Auxiliary robot arm for wheelchair users

Articulated joints with grippers are increasingly being used to aid people with disabilities. The latest video from Igus shows how robolink technology, which integrates its multi-axis joints and drive unit, with a 3-jaw angle gripper can be used to create an auxiliary arm for wheelchair users. Featuring five DOF (degrees of freedom), with variable arm […]

By February 10, 2015 Read More →