Boxes containing small metal parts are stacked to the ceiling in a narrow bay resulting in barely enough space to manoeuvre a single pallet between the wall and liquid tanks. Behind this assembly, there are rows of tightly packed electroplating tanks.

On the electroplating floor of Collini’s Swiss site near Zurich, Switzerland, space is certainly at a premium. That is why the company, which specialises in surface coatings, was looking for a space-saving solution that would give it a fast and reliable way of hanging small parts on racks for the electroplating bath. The conventional method of loading the racks by hand requires a lot of space and human resources because several racks need to be loaded at the same time.

“For that reason, we wanted to switch to a new coating system with automated loading,” explains Marco Fuchs, Head of Product Engineering at Collini. Since a system of this type has yet to be created, he embarked on a search for companies that would have the pioneering spirit to accept the challenge.

Fuchs found the right partner in Swiss automation company Roth Technik, which in turn relies on smart sensor solutions from Baumer for its projects. A specialist in smart, bespoke automation solutions, Roth Technik collaborated closely with its customer Collini to develop a fully automatic and compact loading line.

At the heart of the line are four robots that automatically load parts onto the empty hooks on the racks. The biggest challenge for the system to overcome was the fact that no two racks are the same. The hook positions are not located exactly in the same place on the welded racks every time, and some hooks may be bent, or missing entirely. This is not a problem for human personnel to deal with, but it is very much for robots that require precise positioning data. The enormous variety and high throughput of parts presented two more challenges.

Robots guided efficiently by a smart Baumer sensor

So how did the Roth Technik team solve the problem of rack position inaccuracy, enabling the robots to learn the exact positions of the hooks for each rack?

The development team found a simple yet effective solution in the compact OXM200 profile sensor from Baumer. Mounted on the robot arm, it detects the exact position of each individual hook as it moves down the rack and reports this back to the robot control. With the help of a camera, the robot then picks up one part after the other from the separating carousel and hangs it on a hook. The robot uses the position coordinates previously collected by the profile sensor to finely adjust the position of the part. This method is what enables the smart profile sensor to guide the robot precisely and quickly on the electroplating rack.

To begin with, Markus Roth’s team tested various solutions with camera-based systems and other laser-based scanners. “In the end, we went with the profile sensor from Baumer because it was the best solution for our strict requirements regarding accuracy, compact design, and ability to detect objects,” states Markus Roth, CEO of Roth Technik. The compact OXM200 reliably detects the thin hooks and is still able to scan several hook positions at the same time. Using the control, it then decides whether or not to load the hook.

Thanks to powerful, integrated measuring tools, the sensor outputs measured the values for the X and Z coordinates directly in mm, significantly reducing the number of calculations in the control. The conclusion is that these smart ultra-compact profile sensors are ideal in applications where space is at a premium, whilst eliminating the need for additional human resources.

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Along with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the organisations are working together with government and industry to support the safe and responsible adoption of robotics in the workplace, providing businesses with clarity on regulatory requirements and support to increase their use.

At present, the UK ranks 24th globally for industrial robot density – half the EU average – despite ranking first for academic robotics research. A key barrier to adoption is uncertainty around compliance, particularly that surrounding collaborative robots (cobots), with industry estimating that between 15-20% of customer enquiries on automation stall due to safety uncertainly alone.

The guidance assimilated by this project aims to address that uncertainty thereby removing the barrier.

The project launched at London Tech Week this week and will produce the first ever HSE-supported guidance on advanced robotics applications. As the UK’s leasing industry association, Automate UK estimates that the adoption of collaborative robots will increase by 25% by the end of 2027.

The first stage of the project, launching this summer, will deliver regulatory clarity for collaborative applications and aims to give the industry confidence in how it can ensure robots can work safely alongside humans.

A second stage will focus on cutting-edge use cases, where artificial intelligence embedded in robotic systems is raising new safety questions. To kickstart work on stage 2, this summer RIO is convening stakeholders to explore how tools like synthetic testing can help regulators and industry to support safe adoption of robots.

Andrew Curran CBE, Director of Science and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Health and Safety Executive, said: “We recognise how guidance and advice can give employers the confidence to innovate safely and provide a platform for new technology to improve productivity and enable growth.

“We understand that despite there being no barrier to adoption in health and safety law there is a fear of non-compliance, which is limiting adoption. Therefore, we are committed to working with the Regulatory Innovation Office and industry partners to deliver the first joint HSE and industry guidance on the use of cobots to address this barrier and improve business confidence.”

Oliver Selby, Chair of BARA (British Automation and Robotics Association), part of Automate UK, said: “Automate UK and BARA welcome the focus by the Regulatory Innovation Office on reducing barriers to robotics adoption. Based on feedback from our membership, the current regulatory framework is sufficient and adequate for enabling the safe deployment of robots used in a collaborative application.

“However, there remains a significant gap in understanding and confidence among end-user stakeholders. Greater education and practical guidance are needed to help businesses fully embrace robots working safely alongside people.

“While relevant information is already contained within existing standards, as well as the current Machinery Directive and forthcoming Machinery Regulation, awareness of these resources is limited.”

Today, the focus is on connecting systems, processes and people to create greater visibility and support better decision making. Digital transformation is not about replacing everything. It is about investing in the right areas to improve operational performance.

By combining automation with technologies such as IoT, AI and real-time data monitoring, manufacturers can gain a clearer understanding of production performance, identify inefficiencies and respond more effectively to changing demands.

Connected factories are helping manufacturers improve quality, reduce bottlenecks, support sustainability objectives and make more informed decisions across the business. From production tracking and inventory management to quality control and forecasting, digital transformation is creating opportunities to improve performance at every stage of the manufacturing process.

In its latest blog, Innomech explores what digital transformation means in practice and why moving beyond traditional automation is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers looking to remain competitive.

Launched officially on 1 June, SIS-TA introduces a fully digital and transactional sales platform for smart industry components, strategically expands STEMMER IMAGING’s existing business model by complementing its established consultative approach with a scalable online sales channel focused on speed, simplicity, and direct availability.

Responding to changing customer expectations

Industrial purchasing behaviour has fundamentally changed in recent years. Customers increasingly conduct product research, technology comparisons, and supplier evaluations digitally and independently. At the same time, expectations regarding transparent pricing, immediate availability, and direct ordering capabilities continue to rise.

SIS-TA was specifically created to address these market developments with a digital-first approach tailored to customers who require fast and efficient procurement processes for industrial automation products.

“The market is shifting from education to execution,” explains Mike Weccardt CEO, SIS- TA “Customers increasingly know exactly what they need and expect frictionless purchasing experiences with maximum transparency and speed.”

A transactional platform for industrial automation

The new online platform serves as the central customer interface, covering the complete purchasing process from product selection and availability checks to transparent pricing and direct ordering.

At launch, SIS-TA focuses on machine vision products including cameras, optics, lighting, and frame grabbers. Over time, the portfolio will expand to include additional smart industry technologies such as cobots, AMRs, industrial sensors, smart cameras, motion control solutions, industrial I/O, and PLC systems.

SIS-TA will provide AI-powered first- and second-level support to ensure fast and efficient customer assistance. For more complex projects, solutions, and applications, customers will have access to STEMMER IMAGING’s expert support organization and its highly specialised engineering teams.

Strategic expansion into new customer segments

SIS-TA is specifically designed to address customer groups that increasingly prioritize speed, price transparency, and simplified procurement processes. The platform enables STEMMER IMAGING to expand into new market segments while strengthening long-term customer relationships within the broader group ecosystem.

The operating model has been intentionally designed to remain lean, scalable, and highly automated, allowing rapid adaptation to changing market requirements and future portfolio expansion.

With SIS-TA, STEMMER IMAGING takes the next strategic step in industrial digitalisation – combining competitive products, digital sales models, and integrated services into a future- oriented smart industry platform.

When a production line comes back online, time matters and seconds count. N-Tron NT7000 is built to minimise downtime with fast boot that passes traffic in less than 7 seconds and N Ring redundancy with around 20 ms healing, helping operations return to service quickly after network faults.

Hardware based precision timing

As motion, robotics, and other time sensitive industrial applications become more common, deterministic timing is no longer optional. N-Tron NT7000 supports hardware based IEEE 1588 PTP for sub microsecond time synchronisation, moving timestamping into hardware to reduce variation versus software based implementations, supporting more consistent timing for demanding applications.

Deploy faster, replace easier, support smarter. N-Tron NT7000 is designed not just to perform but to simplify the day to day realities of industrial networking. N View 3 provides switch and topology discovery, network health monitoring, firmware management, and centralized IP addressing. A micro SD card in the switch supports configuration backup and restore, helping enable faster replacement and recovery. For EtherNet/IP environments, CIP messaging AOI and Faceplate help simplify controls integration.

A scalable platform for modern industrial networks

The N-Tron NT7000 is a platform designed to support a wide range of industrial architectures and installation needs. It is offered in multiple configurations and connectivity options – including copper and fixed fibre variants to fit common compact and complex industrial designs.

NT7000 is certified for rugged industrial applications that customers actually deploy in, including UL Ordinary and Hazardous locations as well as ATEX and IECEx certification in addition to IEEE 802.3 compliance and ODVA, marine, railway and rolling stock certifications. The switches are housed in rugged, DIN-mountable all-metal enclosures and offer high shock and vibration tolerance, along with surge protection, redundant power inputs and extreme operating temperatures.

“Industrial teams keep telling us they need performance they can trust – without added complexity. The N-Tron NT7000 is built for that reality: fast startup, rapid recovery, hardware-based precision timing, and tools that make it easier to deploy, maintain, and restore. It’s designed to keep critical operations running in the environments where uptime matters most,” said Barry Turner, N-Tron Product Manager.

The market intelligence specialist reveals growth was primarily influenced by large-scale equipment upgrades in the electronics manufacturing industry, cyclical recoveries in the semiconductor industry, and increased automation penetration in logistics and warehousing. Falling barriers to entry for consumers have also driven adoption, while improved safety, ease of use, and cost reductions have also contributed to the rise in shipments seen in 2025.

Between 2025-30, Interact Analysis forecasts strong revenue growth, with an average annual increase of 13.6%, expanding to more than $2.3 billion in 2030. The gap between shipment and revenue growth indicates a downward trend in the average selling price. However, the rate of decline is predicted to be slow compared with previous years due to the stabilization of the price war in China and rising manufacturing costs in Europe and the US.

China continues to dominate market share

China’s dominance in the collaborative robot industry continues, with its year-on-year growth consistently outpacing other major regions. In terms of shipments, Interact Analysis reports China’s market share rose from 28.9% in 2018 to 54.7% in 2025, with forecasts suggesting it could reach 61.4% by 2030. In contrast, market share of the Americas is projected to fall from 15.9% to 13.7% between 2025 and 2030. Meanwhile the EMEA region is expected to drop from 18.1% to 13.5% over the same period, to be narrowly overtaken by the Americas.

China’s revenue share of the collaborative robot market is predicted to increase from 35% in 2025 to 42.4% in 2030, representing an average annual growth rate of 17.8%, compared with 11% for the rest of the world. China’s rapid revenue expansion can be explained through volume advantage, as well as lower average unit costs. Prices are beginning to stabilize in China after several years of intense price competition, with average revenue per unit decreasing by just 0.35% in 2025, compared with 7.9% in 2024.

High payload cobots are experiencing strong growth

Interact Analysis’ Collaborative Robots report indicates the industry is shifting toward medium and high payload ranges, aligning with the rise in ‘industrial cobots’. Traditionally, cobots have focused on light payloads of 10 kg and under, however the market is increasingly expanding into the 16-20 kg and >20 kg segments, blurring the lines between cobots and industrial robots.

Samantha Mou, Senior Analyst at Interact Analysis, explains, “This upward payload shift aligns closely with vendor product strategies. Examples include ABB’s PoWa series for the Chinese market and JAKA’s 40 kg model (with a 90 kg model in development), both designed with higher payloads and reduced force control precision. These ‘industrial cobots’ essentially penetrate traditional industrial robot applications while retaining collaborative safety features, targeting scenarios such as automotive parts, metal processing, and warehousing and logistics that require high payload, cost effective automation.”

In this session, you will learn: what is changing under the Machinery Regulation; the role of Common Specifications, Market Surveillance, and Conformity Assessments; and how organisations can start preparing for the new requirements

Hosted on Zoom, this 30-minute session is led by safety experts and includes a live Q&A, with a recording available afterwards.

Click here to sign up for the webinar.

The OL-450S is now available in a standard no-mast configuration, with optional 1.2 m mid-mast and 1.6 m full-mast accessories. These options give manufacturers and system integrators greater flexibility in how the robot navigates and localizes in facilities with varying ceiling heights, traffic patterns, layout constraints, and workflow requirements.

The standard no-mast configuration keeps the OL-450S at its lowest profile while supporting safe, reliable cart transport in compact, height-constrained production spaces. It maintains route flexibility through narrow aisles, low door sections, overhead structures, and areas around fixed production equipment where added height could limit access.

The mid-mast configuration adds elevated scanning for highly dynamic, high-traffic environments where improved localisation and navigation are required, but vertical clearance remains limited. By raising the scanner above floor-level activity, it improves environmental visibility in shared spaces with moving carts, operators, and equipment while preserving access through elevators, doorways, and low overhead structures.

For larger, busier, or more visually complex operations, the full-mast configuration provides the highest scanning position to maximise environmental v6isibility and navigation robustness where height constraints are not a limiting factor. By referencing stable features higher in the environment, it strengthens navigation performance across dynamic production and intralogistics spaces.

Together, these configurations help manufacturers match the OL-450S to specific clearance, traffic, and workflow requirements.

Production-ready by design

The OL-450S is OMRON’s turnkey AMR solution for cart transport automation, combining a compact footprint, integrated lifting plate, and payload capacity up to 450 kg. With a 108 mm to 308 mm lift range, the robot can move under carts, lift them securely, and support existing material handling workflows with minimal infrastructure changes.

Across all configurations, omni-directional mobility helps the OL-450S move laterally, rotate in place, and manoeuvre efficiently through changing facility layouts. Natural feature navigation, onboard sensing, and wireless charging support dependable operation with less manual intervention.

For system integrators, the OL-450S also provides flexibility for application-specific cart designs. Its lifting plate can be raised, widened, or, within defined constraints, extended to support different payload dimensions and workflow needs while maintaining safety and stability.

“With the expanded OL 450S configurations, we’re giving customers the flexibility to match the robot to their environment instead of forcing the environment to adapt to the robot,” said Mona Fahimi, Global Product Manager for OL 450S at OMRON.

Centralised fleet management with FLOW Core

Like all OMRON AMRs, the OL-450S is managed through FLOW Core, OMRON’s fleet management platform. FLOW Core gives users centralized control over robot traffic, task assignment, and fleet coordination from a single interface. The platform supports fleets of up to 100 mobile robots with different payload capacities, while real-time visibility into robot activity and workflows helps teams coordinate transport tasks across the facility.

“Manufacturers need automation that works within the realities of their production environment,” said Justin King, Vice President of Product Management, Marketing, and Business Development. “With the expanded OL-450S lineup, they can apply the same cart transport platform across a wider range of facility conditions and workflow demands.”

For more information, visit the OL-450S product page or contact OMRON to discuss your application and identify the right approach for your material handling goals.

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Through these innovations, LAPP aims to simplify architectures, ensure reliable data flows and support the growing use of robotics in warehouses.

The new ÖLFLEX ROBOT range has been specially designed for dynamic 3D movements in automated environments. These flexible PVC cables are characterised by excellent flex and torsion performance and are intended for demanding applications in robotics and automation.

The 909 and 909 D variants can withstand up to 2 million bending and torsion cycles. For environments subject to high levels of electromagnetic interference, the shielded versions 928 D and 909 D offer additional protection, ensuring reliable signal transmission.

LAPP also offers the ÖLFLEX SERVO FD 797 CP cable, designed for use in cable carriers. This cable has been specifically developed to withstand high mechanical stresses in moving applications and offers advanced performance characteristics: its easily separable inner sheath allows for cable preparation that is up to 50% faster and more precise. It also stands out for its optimised service life, meeting the demands of the most demanding applications.

Efficient signal transmission and compact connectors

The highly flexible EPIC ClickConnect M12A PVC cable enables fast and reliable signal transmission between sensors and actuators, even in the presence of vibrations.

Thanks to its push-pull locking M12 connectors, it is particularly suited to moving machine parts and cable chains, offering a reliable solution for demanding applications.

The range is also expanded with EPIC rectangular connector kits, available in plastic and metal versions. These compact connectors have been specially designed for applications where installation space is limited.

Reliable network solutions and cables for dynamic applications

In the field of industrial networking, LAPP is expanding its portfolio with the ETHERLINE ACCESS U Entry Level models and their Gigabit Entry Level version. These are unmanaged Fast Ethernet switches, available in 5- or 8-port versions.

Completely fanless, they are particularly quiet and require no maintenance. They are therefore an ideal solution for cost-effective industrial Ethernet applications where robustness and reliability are essential.

With these ranges, LAPP is reaffirming its ambition to play a central role in the industrial connectivity market for intralogistics. In this environment, connectivity plays a decisive role. It ensures the continuous flow of power and data between different pieces of equipment, directly determining the performance and availability of the facilities. A failure, even a localised one, can lead to a production line stoppage and incur significant costs.

Elliot Hoole, Project Business Manager of LAPP, comments: “In intralogistics projects, connectivity is no longer just a supporting element, it directly impacts how well the entire system performs. Customers are increasingly looking beyond individual products and towards a partner who can take responsibility for a fully coordinated, end-to-end solution. Through our project business approach, LAPP brings together cabling, connectors, network components, and pre-assembled systems into a single, coherent connectivity concept. By working closely with our customers, we help simplify installation, reduce complexity at start-up, and enable operations to be up and running sooner.”

Addressing growing demand in sectors such as shipbuilding and steel construction, it can be carried easily with just one hand, allowing a single person to supervise multiple welding locations and mitigating the Europe-wide shortage of skilled welders.

Boasting a 3kg payload, the CRX-3iA can manipulate a welding torch and a seam-tracking sensor simultaneously, while its ±0.02 mm repeatability delivers the precision necessary for critical welding tasks. It automatically detects its installation angle after relocation and identifies weld seam locations and calculates paths accordingly, thanks to a third-party laser scanner or touch sensor. Meanwhile, an optional magnetic base enables it to be secured directly to large steel structures. This reduces system complexity compared with traditional robot installations, which typically need heavier equipment and additional safeguarding measures.

As part of the wider CRX series – which extends to 30kg payload and 1,756mm reach – the CRX-3iA integrates fully with FANUC’s established control and software ecosystem. It also incorporates FANUC’s wrist button technology, which allows operators to guide and teach positions directly from the robot arm, streamlining programming and shortening changeover times.

Beyond welding, the CRX-3iA is ideally suited to applications such as intralogistics and mobile automation. Its compact footprint and low mass also make it ideal for mounting on an automated guided vehicle (AGV), where it can support picking, placing and line supply tasks. In addition, it lends itself well to education and training environments, where space constraints often render the use of traditional industrial robots impractical.

“Manufacturers need automation that adapts to their environment, not the other way around,” says Paul Ribus, FANUC’s Head of Sales Coordination Europe. “With the CRX-3iA, we focused on portability, fast deployment and high repeatability. It allows customers to take advantage of collaborative welding and handling wherever the work is, without complex installation.”

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