Increased automation, adapting to new labour-saving manufacturing practices and the consequences of Covid-19 is accelerating the demand for effective robotic solutions. This is especially the case in industries where logistics are key such as food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics where there is increased urgency to improve efficiencies by automating the packing and stacking of individual products. […]
Omron has taken human-machine collaboration to a level it says is previously unseen on the factory floor, with its Intelligent Cell Production Line concept. Integrating sensing, vision and robotics, this example of an advanced production line control solution enhances the performance of both humans and robots as they learn from one another. Accelerated employee training […]
Brillopak is launching its award-winning UniPAKer robotic crate packer into the meat, fish and poultry sector following design enhancements that make the system both affordable and efficient in tray-sealed meat applications. The development of a new generation end-effector that offers increased suction and control when handling trays and skin packs coupled with a new dual-pick […]
The pandemic has drastically changed consumer behaviour and has sped up what was already an upward trajectory for the adoption of online purchasing and digitalisation. In order to thrive, businesses need to ensure continuity of supply, the ability to implement remote staffing and social distancing and an agile supply chain with the capacity to meet […]
Requests by customers for a robolink fit for wet conditions has prompted plastics expert Igus to design one that can withstand rain, showers, and moisture. The company has developed its very first water-resistant robolink – a low-cost automation solution made of polymer and stainless steel. Adam Sanjurgo, LCA product manager at Igus, the global manufacturer […]
Omron’s new i4L SCARA is a compact robot that offers strong performance at the lowest total cost of ownership. The i4L delivers quality along with scalability, preventative maintenance and integration flexibility. Thanks to its compact design and small footprint, it is simple to install and can be table mounted or wall mounted without the need […]
Festo automation technology is being used to help STANLEY Tools in the UK to meet continued demand for its renowned safety knives, while continuing to maintain the highest standards of safety and quality. Festo automation sits at the heart of a new rotary assembly cell designed and supplied by PCE Automation. The new production cell […]
Bots UK is encouraging the use of collaborative robots by making them accessible to the UK market through a flexible hiring service. Businesses can hire and test the robots’ suitability and explore the benefits that automation can bring into the workforce. Bots Automation provides training and support along with performing maintenance checks. And if you […]
Robert Brooks, Omron Europe’s industry manager for food and beverage, discusses how smart, robot-assisted production and packaging will maximise profitability. A challenge accelerated by the Coronavirus pandemic has seen producers having to juggle between longer term range proliferation centred on consumer demands, and range reduction caused by retailers’ and consumers’ rapidly changing buying habits. This […]
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 […]
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 […]
Intelligent automation for laboratory workflows
Beckhoff UK will exhibit at London Lab Live at ExCeL London from May 6-7, 2026, where it will demonstrate how PC-based control can help pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers build more flexible sample and product handling processes. A key attraction on the stand will be a live demonstration combining Beckhoff’s XTS intelligent transport system with a […]
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 […]
Three-pronged approach to boosting productivity
2021 could be a pivotal year for industry in the UK, and the extent to which manufacturers adopt automation may determine its long-term success. Tom Bouchier, managing director at Fanuc UK, outlines the three areas manufacturers must focus on to bounce back in 2021. At a time when the impact of Covid-19 has presented significant […]