Under the laws of cricket, it is illegal for players to rub any substance other than saliva and sweat onto the ball, let alone scuffing it with their fingernails. Similarly, strict rules apply to the manufacturing of cricket balls. Cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra designed its first ever machine tending robotic system to produce the perfect […]
Could Britain afford to lose 6.3 million working days? According to The Labour Force Survey, this figure illustrates the volume of unplanned worker absence due to non-fatal workplace injuries. In fact, the number of non-fatal workplace injuries in the UK reached 693,000 in 2019/20, with cuts and lacerations among the most common causes. Industry leader […]
One of the biggest challenges for robotics manufacturers is the perception that the technology is here to take the jobs of humans – but that is simply not the case. Unfortunately, the notion that automation poses a threat to jobs often overshadows the potential benefits of investing in the technology. Here, TM Robotics founder and […]
Until recently, the Industrial Revolution was largely associated with drastic engineering efforts that transformed global industry. Two centuries later, we are experiencing another shift in global manufacturing. Nigel Smith, managing director of Shibaura Machine, formerly Toshiba Machine, industrial robot supplier TM Robotics, explains how countries can reclaim the robotics revolution by taking advantage of simplified […]
With four times as many as colour receptors as humans, the Mantis shrimp has the most impressive eyes in nature. Manufacturers have long relied on human vision for complex picking and assembly processes, but 3D vision systems are beginning to replicate the capability of human vision in robotics. Here, Nigel Smith, managing director of Shibaura […]
According to a recent report from the World Economic Forum, 85 million jobs could be lost and displaced by new technologies in the next five years. It’s no surprise that workers, particularly in manufacturing, worry how these developments will affect their jobs. Here, Nigel Smith, President and CEO of TM Robotics, explains why humans workers […]
Shibaura Machine partner TM Robotics has won a large contract to supply a substantial number of THE600 SCARA robots to a global electronics assembly plant. The contract was given to TM Robotics’ Mexican distributor, Global Manufacturing Incorporated (GMI), which beat competitors both on price and specification. The arrangement includes the supply of the new THE600 […]
Electronics manufacturing has experienced extraordinary change. Responding to the shifting needs of the sector, TM Robotics has launched a new robotics consultation service to advise manufacturers on how automation can aid recovery and growth. Held with a TM Robotics automation specialist, the free consultations can be managed remotely or by appointment. To book a consultation, […]
Buying a new robot is a considerable investment for any business owner. Collaborative robots have been widely marketed as a cheaper alternative to industrial robots, but what’s the catch? Nigel Smith, president and CEO of Toshiba Machine partner TM Robotics, explains the crucial differences between these two robot types. Upfront costs Let’s kick things off […]
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 […]
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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 […]
Robot programming tool supports all phases of automation
“You must be diversified enough to survive bad times,” said the American academic and investor, Joel Greenblatt, “so that skill and good process can have the chance to pay off in the long-term.” Here, Nigel Smith, CEO of TM Robotics, explains the importance of robot programming that’s simple enough to be refigured to any kind […]