SMC is engaging with OEMs to prepare for the 4 bar landscape, asserting that end users can cut their energy costs by up to 29% in some instances, which creates a powerful USP for the OEM. OEMs traditionally design their pneumatic machinery and equipment for an operating pressure of 7 bar. “The shift to 4 […]
Martina Höller, electrical technology product manager at SMC, outlines four simple ways in which you can reduce the energy consumption of your vacuum system, focusing in particular on vacuum ejectors. With energy prices surging across Europe, efficiency has become a high priority for all manufacturing and process plants using vacuum handling systems. Using less energy […]
SMC has launched a magnetic gripper that helps customers transfer workpieces with irregular surfaces, where prior to now it was difficult to gain sufficient absorption using a vacuum pad. With a holding force of up to 120N, the MHM-X6400 keeps hold of the workpieces even when the air is shut off, giving peace of mind […]
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 […]
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 […]
Powering the factories of the future
The combination of collaborative robotics and in-process digital metrology represents a strategic convergence for the manufacturing industry and factories of the future. On the one hand, collaborative robots make it possible to automate handling and assembly tasks flexibly and safely without the need for physical barriers and, on the other hand, digital metrology integrated into […]
Cobot installed at steering systems manufacturer
Steering systems manufacturer, Pailton Engineering, continues to modernise its manufacturing processes with a new collaborative robot (cobot) at its facility in Coventry. After a successful trial period, the company is installing a FAIRINO FR10 on the induction hardening ball pin cell, where it works alongside existing team members to support production. Designed to work alongside […]
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 […]
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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Automating the food sector: efficiency in action
The food and beverage industry has been slower to adopt automation than some other areas of manufacturing. Short-term supplier contracts and a reliance on cheap labour have proved obstacles to investment for some food producers, limiting their ability to grow their production capabilities. Fortunately, automation systems incorporating robotics from leading suppliers such as FANUC are […]
Robotics and digitalisation in food manufacturing
In this workshop at Food Manufacturing Live, Dr Bhavnita Patel, business development manager at The MTC, explores how automation, robotics and digitalisation are reshaping food manufacturing, unlocking efficiency, improving quality and reducing waste. Bhavnita explains why companies must adopt these technologies now, despite barriers like cost and legacy systems. She looks at where these tools […]
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 […]
Use robotics to take a firm grip on flexibility
The robots of today need one principal attribute: flexibility. Much of this flexibility comes courtesy of the end-of-arm tooling (gripper). Marcus Mazetti, global account manager at SMC, guides us through the factors to bear in mind when selecting gripper technology. Once the preserve of high-volume operations at automotive plants, we’re today finding that robots are […]