Providing up to 4N (0.9lb) of clamping force and 500µm of jaw travel with opening width up to 1.9mm, the new gripper securely holds small optical components during high-dynamic positioning and alignment processes.

As photonics manufacturing becomes increasingly automated, positioning an optical component is only part of the challenge. Fibres, lenses and other miniature components must also be picked up and held with sufficient rigidity to prevent unwanted motion during rapid scanning and alignment. At the same time, the gripping force must be controlled to avoid damaging delicate components.

The P-606.1P micro-gripper addresses these requirements with a monolithic flexure design, piezoelectric actuation, and an integrated piezoresistive force sensor. The combination provides fast response, high structural stiffness and controlled gripping force in a compact package suitable for integration with precision positioning and photonics alignment systems.

The gripper is particularly suited for active alignment processes where an optical component must remain mechanically stable while the positioning system performs rapid scanning or optimisation routines. High structural rigidity helps minimise relative motion between the gripper and component during acceleration, settling, and alignment.

With a clamping force of up to 4N, the P-606.1P can securely hold optical components and fixtures while its piezoelectric drive provides fast, precise jaw motion.

At the core of the P-606.1P is a monolithic flexure mechanism. Flexure guidance eliminates conventional bearings, providing friction-free motion without mechanical play.

Interchangeable jaws allow the gripping interface to be adapted to different component geometries and manufacturing processes. This modular approach makes the gripper suitable for integration into automated assembly equipment as well as photonics alignment systems.

The gripper provides 500 µm of typical jaw travel and supports opening widths from 0.5 to 1.9 mm, depending on the jaw configuration.

Everything else stays exactly the same: the same 7 kg payload, the same IP67 sealed design built for dust, coolant, and debris, the same precision and repeatability, and the same controls and firmware with no new programming required. It fits assembly, pick-and-place, machine tending, Physical AI and high-mix environments where one gripper needs to handle a broad range without changeover.

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By embedding smart sensing directly into the end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), the project provides real-time grip quality validation, ensuring precision and reliability in highly regulated, fast-moving packaging lines.

In high-speed cosmetics manufacturing, traditional robotic handling systems often struggle with lightweight, flexible components that have tight tolerances, such as deformable thermoformed trays. Whilst industrial robots excel at execution, speed and repeatability, their physical interactions present significant risks. Without tactile feedback, an imbalanced grip can lead to product loss or tray deformation. Traditional validation methods relying on simple position tracking or binary detection offer very little visibility into the actual quality of physical contact, prompting Siléane to seek a measurement-driven alternative to guarantee confidence in every cycle without slowing down the process.

Tactile intelligence at the point of interaction

Rather than increasing system complexity with external inspection steps, Siléane embedded force measurement directly at the point of interaction between the robot and the product. Partnering with HBK, Siléane integrated four factory-calibrated PW22i smart load cells – equipped with IO-Link – directly into the robotic gripper, placing one sensor at each contact point.

This Industry 4.0 setup enables the robot to validate grip quality instantly at the source, capture real-time force data, and respond immediately to any physical deviations during the gripping cycle – whilst simultaneously integrating seamlessly into modern automation architectures.

Simon Kleefeldt, HBK Product Manager Weighing Technology, explains the significance of this development: “This project reflects a fundamental shift in automation: embedding intelligence at the sensor level, to build systems that are more reliable, more autonomous and easier to deploy.”

HBK accelerated the evolution of its proven PW22 load cell – originally designed for demanding, high-speed dynamic weighing applications like checkweighing and filling – into the PW22i by integrating IO-Link connectivity to meet real-world integration demands.

Immediate operational benefits

The integration of the PW22i load cells delivered immediate operational benefits, demonstrating how physical measurement intelligence can improve manufacturing performance. For the end customer, this translates to: zero-defect grip validation in real time across all contact points; significant reductions in product scrap and tray deformation; simplified system architecture with reduced cabling via IO-Link; and faster commissioning times and improved repeatability across installations, ultimately leading to a faster return on investment (ROI).

LG Motion (Stand 46) will be showcasing Techman Robot (TM Robot) collaborative robots at MachineBuilding.South with a number of demos, along with electro-mechanical motion control systems. LG Motion managing director Gary Livingstone has also authored a book: Lean Robotic Automation provides a clear and practical framework for implementing robotics successfully, combining proven Lean principles with real-world automation experience.

“Robots can deliver incredible results, but only when they’re applied in the right way,” said Gary. “This book is about taking a structured, Lean approach to robotic automation so projects are simpler, outcomes are clearer, and businesses get real value from their investment.”

For its part, OMRON (Stand 70) has expanded its TM S Series collaborative robot portfolio with three new models and a major software update, supporting manufacturers facing labour shortages and increasing requirements for flexible, high-mix production. The TM30S, TM20S and TM6S extend the series’ payload and reach capabilities for applications such as palletising, machine tending and precision handling.

Across the S Series, OMRON has introduced upgrades to increase durability and support faster redeployment. All robot arms now feature an IP65 rating for use in washdown or dust-prone environments. Higher-payload units (TM25S, TM30S) incorporate an integrated joint 6 force-torque wrist sensor for improved force-controlled processes. The updated Landmark 2.0 vision-based positioning system is designed to reduce recalibration time when moving robots between stations.

OMRON has also released TMflow 2.22, an update to its no-code programming environment. The new version introduces more granular safety configuration options, expanded remote monitoring and diagnostics, and a higher-fidelity simulation engine. Integrated vision tools have been strengthened to support inspection and pick-and-place tasks with greater accuracy.

With the TM30S, TM20S, and TM6S alongside crucial upgrades like IP65 certification and the integrated joint 6 force torque sensor, OMRON says it is empowering customers to automate their most challenging, heavy-duty tasks with greater safety, precision, and flexibility than ever before. TMflow 2.22 ensures that this immense power remains easy to program and manage, upholding OMRON’s commitment to harmonious automation.

JAKA Robotics (Stand 78) is emphasising the wide range of applications for collaborative robots, including picking, packing, machine tending, and quality inspection. Their flexibility allows businesses to deploy them across different roles and processes, making them incredibly versatile tools that can enhance productivity in multiple aspects of production.

JAKA continues to advance the conversation around collaborative robotics, arguing that, with proven adaptability, safety measures and intelligence, cobots are crucial allies for any business looking to enhance productivity and workforce safety, no matter the size of operations.

Delta robots

Following its new partnership with Englert Robotics, HMK (Stand 41) is excited to be overviewing delta robot technology on the stand – perfect for high-performance handling applications. Englert’s modular platform offers exceptional flexibility, with a wide range of sizes, payloads, and configurable options, including different material combinations to suit hygiene-critical, high-speed or harsh environments. This flexibility makes the robots ideal for applications across packaging, food, pharma, electronics, logistics and recycling.

A key advantage is the open, standards‑based approach to control integration, supporting Siemens, KEBA and other leading control platforms. This gives OEMs full freedom to align with their existing architectures while avoiding vendor lock‑in.

As the UK partner for Englert Robotics, HMK offers OEMs multiple delivery options – from mechanical‑only Delta robot systems, through mechanics supplied with motors and drives, to fully engineered and integrated mechatronic solutions. By combining Englert’s advanced mechanical design with HMK’s control, motion and systems expertise, HMK provides flexible, high‑performance and cost‑optimised robotic solutions tailored to each requirement.

A key requirement for robotics applications is some sort of end-of-arm gripper, and PIAB (Stand 83) offers a huge range of suction cups, including the recently introduced BCP40 is a suction cup dedicated to automated handling of corrugated cardboard boxes in packaging and intralogistics. BCP40 combines long stroke, high stability and sustainable materials in a cost‑efficient design optimized for high‑throughput box handling.

Another innovative product in the PIAB range is new 3-finger piSOFTGRIP 40-3, developed for the food and chocolate industry. Based on the proven piSOFTGRIP 30-3, the new model increases gripping capacity up to 40 mm while keeping the same concept and ease of use.

The vacuum-based soft gripper safely handles sensitive, lightweight products with irregular shapes or surfaces. Its one-piece, sealed design with three gripping fingers is robust, dust-insensitive, and allows easy adjustment of gripping force via the vacuum level – ensuring gentle and reliable handling across a wider range of applications.

STOBER supplied a system consisting of synchronous servo geared motors, cables and suitable drive controllers optimally tailored to the requirements.

“Our robot system can pick up a raw egg so carefully that it is not even damaged,” says Peter Butz, Product Developer at Eisenmann. This underscores the sensitivity with which the system can be controlled. Instead of handling eggs, the robot actually grips rims of different sizes and weights and supplies them to a paint line. In addition to industrial painting and handling systems, this mechanical engineering company also develops driverless transport systems and technologies for pre-treatment and filtration.

“All our solutions are unique, because we tailor them to our customers’ specific requirements,” says Butz. “They vary in the complex interplay of process steps and the corresponding conveyor systems.” In its development work, the company focuses on solutions that are cost-efficient and save resources – always with the aim of creating clear, comprehensible added value for its customers.

From pneumatics to electronics

With this goal in mind, Eisenmann has also optimised the handling system. “It consists of industrial robots with one or more grippers. We had previously installed pneumatic drives,” explains Peter Butz. Initially, there was a lot to be said for them: they are simple, dynamic and comparatively inexpensive to buy. Yet they are considered inefficient and only allow limited control. In addition, compressed air generation is energy-intensive, and leaks cause additional losses and costs. For this reason, Eisenmann opted for electric drives. These are significantly more energy-efficient and economical to operate and allow direct integration of sensors.

After deciding on a servo-electric drive solution, the aim was to integrate this technology into the existing gripper concept in a practical way. As they examined the new project requirements, the Eisenmann developers began to focus on drive solutions from STOBER.

With Klaus Buschko as their contact person in Sales and Robert Boger in Application Development, STOBER worked with Eisenmann to develop a suitable solution. The starting point was a pilot system that showed that the competitor’s drive technology, initially used as a prototype, did not fully meet the requirements for controllability. In particular, the two-cable solution originally planned proved to be a disadvantage when during gripper movement.

High-precision drive technology

With the STOBER solution, the gripper attached to the robot first moves towards the component at high speed, then stops a millimetre before touching it and approaches the rim at creep speed in a controlled manner to pick it up. This allows a sensitive approach – even a raw egg can be safely gripped without damaging it.

“A high holding torque is particularly important to us,” explains product developer Peter Butz. This is because the robot arm can stop moving abruptly and start up again quickly, while the rim must be held securely at all times. Therefore, the drive solution had to be lightweight and compact, since it is installed directly in the gripper.

STOBER supplied KL series helical bevel gearboxes with a directly mounted EZ synchronous servo motor. This compact unit offers good installation dimensions and high power density. “Thanks to their robust bearings and high-quality gearing, STOBER helical bevel gearboxes are extremely resilient and tilt-resistant,” explains Buschko.

Another important feature of this series is its very smooth operation. Since the gripper moves along two axes, the compact SC6 stand-alone drive controller is used for control. If additional grippers need to be added, the SC6 can be combined with the SI6 drive controller, which is designed for multi-axis drive systems. This enables solutions with two to five grippers, allowing Eisenmann to respond to a wide range of customer requirements.

The geared motors and drive controllers are connected via STOBER’s One Cable Solution (OCS). The hybrid cable with the future-proof EnDat 3 protocol transmits both encoder data and power data via a single cable. The result is an integrated system consisting of a synchronous servo geared motor, cable and drive controller. This avoids the problem that would arise with the planned two-cable solution and significantly reduces the installation effort.

Independent of the robot type

STOBER has added additional PROFINET functions to the SC6 and SI6 drive controllers. In conjunction with the SU6 safety module, they support safety functions such as STO (Safe Torque Off) and SS1 (Safe Stop 1) via PROFIsafe. “The possibility of free programming allows Eisenmann’s developers to contribute their own know-how at specific points.” The result is a flexible, multifunctional system that can be integrated into different types of robots, regardless of the manufacturer.

During the project, potential for optimising operation was also uncovered. During longer downtimes, the motors remain energised and thus generate heat. To avoid this thermal load, the drives were retrofitted with a brake.

STOBER also fitted torque arm brackets to the gearboxes. These absorb reaction torques or differential torques and transfer them to the surrounding support structure. This prevents the motor or housing from twisting. To achieve an even more compact design, the geometry of the supports was adapted accordingly.

Eisenmann now benefits from a drive system that is specially tailored to its requirements, as well as from responsive technical support. “With STOBER, we have chosen a future-proof, energy-efficient drive solution – one that is sensitive down to the last detail,” says Butz with satisfaction.

A robotic mandrel gripper, integrated by KOCH Robot Systems, ensures the precise and controlled transfer of rolls to the RoRo StretchPack packaging machine for the wrapping process. This combination of robotics and horizontal stretch hood wrapping technology provides stable and precise control, for wrapping rolls with significant variations in diameter (up to ø850 mm) and length (up to 700 mm).

Designed for controlled and accurate roll wrapping

The robotic mandrel gripper transfers each roll from a conveyor and positions it inside a five-sided stretch hood film prepared in the RoRo StretchPack packaging machine, and carries the roll through the packaging machine, placing it on the output conveyor. The mandrel is released and returned before the final welding of the film end for complete sealing of the roll packaging.

This solution is especially beneficial in cases where conventional belt conveyors are unsuitable or when products type require precise positioning.

Flexible packaging solution for sealed packaging

A key feature of RoRo StretchPack is the delivery of fully sealed packaging, with welded film ends providing reliable protection against external contamination. This capability is crucial for sensitive products such as paper, hygiene materials, and nonwoven rolls, ensuring product integrity during storage and transport.

The flexible design of the RoRo StretchPack packaging machine integrates seamlessly with a wide range of input and output systems, including robotic mandrel grippers. This adaptability allows for tailored packaging lines that meet specific customer requirements.

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, we refined the gripper’s shape, dimensions and internal geometry to maximise gripping force while minimising air volume,” says Peter Potters, Product Manager at Festo. “This enables faster cycle times and multiple picks per second. At the same time, we selected a silicone material that is soft enough to prevent product damage but firm enough to securely grip objects and withstand high acceleration.”

The new gripper’s design reduces air consumption while maintaining high gripping force, enabling quicker actuation and faster picking cycles. The HPSX has been designed and tested to withstand acceleration forces of up to 15G while handling loads of up to 0.5 kg, ensuring reliable performance even in high-speed applications. This combination of low air volume, strong grip and acceleration resistance delivers both speed and consistency on fast-moving production lines.

Gripper fingers are manufactured from a soft, silicone-based material specifically chosen for its controlled flexibility. This allows the HPSX to conform to delicate, irregularly shaped or hygienically sensitive products without damaging them. The adaptive design eliminates the need for rigid, application-specific tooling, making the HPSX ideal for handling fragile food items, pharmaceutical products and cosmetics.

To meet stringent hygiene requirements, the HPSX features a corrosion-resistant, sanitary design that is easy to clean and maintain. The gripper has an IP69k high-pressure washdown rating and is built to withstand aggressive cleaning processes common in food and pharmaceutical environments. It complies with EC 1935/2004 requirements and uses FDA-compliant, food-grade and metal-detectable materials, ensuring safe operation in regulated production environments.

The HPSX can handle a wide range of product shapes and sizes without requiring a tool change, significantly reducing mechanical changeover time. This flexibility is particularly valuable in applications such as cosmetics kitting, where a single gripper may need to pick and place multiple product types within the same production run. By eliminating the need for frequent gripper swaps, manufacturers benefit from reduced downtime and increased overall equipment effectiveness.

Available in three sizes (40 mm, 70 mm and 100 mm) and in two-, three- and four-finger configurations, the HPSX offers nine variants to suit diverse applications. A universal ISO50 fitting enables straightforward attachment to existing robotic end-of-arm tooling.

In addition, the HPSX integrates seamlessly with Festo’s broader automation portfolio, including controllers, valves and pneumatic systems. Using single source reduces installation and programming complexity by eliminating interface and compatibility issues between components from different suppliers. For OEMs and end users, this translates into faster commissioning, simplified troubleshooting and a single point of contact for service and support – further increasing uptime.

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The centrepiece of the FANUC UK stand at this year’s MACH exhibition is a robotic drilling system built by Airbus with the support of FANUC. The cell employs an M-800iA/60 six-axis robot, as well as a drilling effector controlled by a FANUC CNC and a mobile platform, both designed and built by Airbus.

Designed for aerospace components, it has improved drilling accuracy and increased productivity for Airbus, while freeing up human employees to work on more creative and value-added tasks.

“There are numerous benefits to aerospace manufacturers of automating their drilling applications with the M800iA/60, including improved accuracy and repeatability, increased output and better use of personnel,” states Oliver Selby, FANUC UK’s Head of Sales.

“The success of the Airbus drilling system demonstrates how important it is to collaborate with a robotics partner that will provide the right experience, knowledge, training and technology to support companies to achieve their commercial aims. We look forward to demonstrating the benefits of this system to MACH visitors.”

Superior control to aid innovation

Alongside the Airbus drilling cell, the FANUC stand will also showcase the next level of numerical control. The new generation FS500-A CNC is more powerful and faster than any other control system, and is poised to play a major role in automating complex manufacturing processes. Thanks to its very high computing power and new architecture, it enables increasingly complex movements to be controlled with ultra-precision and perfect synchronisation, while also supporting seamless AI integration.

In-house robot system expertise

Finally, the experienced FANUC team will be on hand to outline the importance of working with the right partner when it comes to futureproofing your manufacturing business. As well as collaborating with machine builders, system integrators and other solution providers, FANUC UK also supports end-users directly, through its flagship automation headquarters in Coventry. The company is well equipped to offer manufacturers the entire range of automation support to support the transition to digitalisation – from initial feasibility studies and cell design, through to system building, testing and full commissioning.

“As our history of collaboration proves, the right automation partner can take your manufacturing business to the next level in terms of increasing production output, improving accuracy, ensuring quality and mitigating labour challenges. We are excited to showcase to MACH visitors the range of system building services and level of expertise we have on offer to support them.”

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In this context, the Tekniker technology centre, member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) partnership, with extensive expertise in this set of technologies, will present a solution that brings together automation, high-precision measurement and digitalisation in industrial environments at the next edition of the Biennial International Machine Tool Exhibition (BIEMH).

The demonstrator, developed in collaboration with ZEISS, KUKA and SCHUNK, will consist of a robotic system capable of automatically identifying, collecting, positioning and measuring parts with almost identical geometries. This robotic measurement allows for quality control of the parts and classification according to their reference and conformity.

“The main differential element is the combination of a flexible component feed with advances in digital metrology that allow fully automated quality control, integrating visualisation, handling, measurement and classification into a single system. This approach is not common in industrial environments and is an innovative and advanced solution,” highlights Gorka Kortaberria, director of Industrial Metrology at Tekniker.

The solution is mainly aimed at advanced manufacturing applications in sectors such as automotive, aeronautics, energy or precision component manufacturing.

Consolidated technologies

The prototype developed by Tekniker combines consolidated commercial technologies with in-house developments in integration, robotics, control and machine vision.

To the solution, ZEISS adds its DuraMax measuring system, which is specifically designed for demanding production environments and offers high precision, even in changeable conditions. For its part, KUKA brings a 7-axis collaborative robotic arm designed for precise and safe handling in environments shared with people. And SCHUNK includes a series of systems that allow parts to be secured and handled reliably during the measurement process.

This technological combination is completed with Tekniker’s Smart Picking asset, which makes it possible to locate and manipulate parts in unstructured environments.

“Our application allows the system to determine the position and orientation of parts from information obtained through machine vision, and then guide the robot towards the parts it needs to handle,” adds Eneko Ugalde, director of Intelligent Autonomous Systems at Tekniker.

Finally, the centre also incorporates its capabilities in plant and process digitisation through its Smart Factory Hub software, highlighting the management of critical data from production operations and being able to learn from them for subsequent decision-making.

The solution will be on display from the 2-6 March at the BIEMH 2026 Tekniker stand, located in pavilion 1, aisle E24.

Palletising is a repetitive and strenuous task that poses risk of injury to workers. For manufacturers looking to increase efficiency, palletising is an easy choice in terms of tasks to automate. Implementing a robotic solution to take the strain of repetitive palletising tasks increases safety for workers and allows staff to be re-allocated to more rewarding, higher-value tasks.

Robotiq offers a choice of two different approaches to easy, simple palletising automation: PAL Ready and PAL Series. PAL Ready is a production-ready palletiser which utilises the UR20 model from Universal Robots. The solution includes everything manufacturers need to get started and is designed for rapid installs. A vacuum gripper, a mobility kit (which allows the cell to be moved to different lines), a safety package and a smart infeed roller conveyor are all included in the PAL Ready package.

PAL Series, on the other hand, is a modular approach based on standard Robotiq components. This option offers a choice of five different palletiser models, along with optional extras such as grippers, safety packages, mobility kits, interlayer racks and more. Users can choose to add or remove these components to suit their application needs.

RARUK Automation is a Robotiq Expert Partner and was named Universal Robots’ Top Global Distributor in 2024. With previous deployments, Robotiq Palletising Solutions have proven popular due to their small footprint, making it easy to fit them into existing production lines. The PE10 has a payload capacity of 11.5 kg (25 lb) and a stacking height of 1,550 mm (60 in). The solution offers a cycle time of 13 cycles/ min.

Designed to enhance efficiency, Robotiq’s easy-to-use software makes it quick and simple to get a robotic palletising solution up and running. Staff can effortlessly adapt production through an intuitive interface. With Robotiq’s Multi-recipe feature, it is easy to accommodate product changeovers.

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