At the PPMA Total Exhibition, on the FANUC stand (C50), FANUC is taking robotic safety a further leap into the future. A collaborative robot, or cobot, designed for working safely with human colleagues, will be challenged to work alongside a caged cell containing a conventional robot. Over the last couple of years, the first generation […]
The Drives & Controls exhibition ran with a robot theme for 2016, which suited Mitsubishi Electric down to the ground as the company’s range of extremely dextrous robots was out in force at the show. Demonstrating various high-speed pick and place applications within confined spaces, MELFA robots from Mitsubishi Electric showed how repeat tasks could […]
Visitors to the SICK stand at MACH 2016 (stand 5969) are promised a glimpse of the future of industrial safety, with demonstrations of the new DFS60S Pro safety encoder, microScan3 safety laser scanner and deTec4 Prime safety light curtain, all designed to increase uptime and efficiency in automated production and warehousing environments through more dynamic […]
When implementing a robot cell one of the major considerations must be the safety of operators and people working in the area. Modern robots are almost silent in operation and very fast. Manufacturers can enjoy the best of both worlds of high levels of operator safety combined with optimised productivity using FANUC’s Dual Check Safety […]
The PPMA has announced the dates of its next seminars covering robotic safety for integrators. The first will be held on 17 February 2016 at the Manchester Airport Marriott hotel, and the second on 15 March 2016 at the Carlton hotel at Dublin Airport. Robots are usually supplied as partly completed machinery, requiring the integrator […]
Access guards for robot cells are often complex systems with different individual components, which must be individually assembled and compatible. This also requires long installation and start-up processes. Pictured right: The palletizing robots in the Beumer robotpac series are typical systems in which MLDSET access guarding from Leuze Electronic is used. “Leuze Electronic has developed […]
Together with its system partner MH Elektro-Steuerungstechnik, Mitsubishi Electric has demonstrated how its MELFA SafePlus combined with safety sensor technology can enable safer and more productive interaction between humans and robots during large batch production within closely defined work cells. In the demonstration, a Mitsubishi MELFA F industrial robot was equipped with it’s the company’s […]
Stewart Robinson of TUV SUD Product Service looks at standards relevant to collaborative robots. Collaborative Robots – sometimes referred to as ‘CoBots’ – are robots that are designed to work alongside humans in a collaborative work-space, an area where the robot and the human can perform tasks simultaneously. There are many sectors where collaborative operation […]
Safety aspects in robotic applications must always be considered on an individual basis and the appropriate safety solution implemented for each one. Safe sensor technology has a key role to play, but the experts at Pilz argue a modular approach is required in order to satisfy all applications with regard to safety. Pictured right: The […]
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 […]
Automating with robotics at MachineBuilding.South
Industry commentators agree that UK manufacturers will need to increase their investment in robotics if they are to keep up with international competition. At MachineBuilding.South you can find out how, with numerous exhibits from robotics, control, automation and safety specialists. LG Motion (Stand 46) will be showcasing Techman Robot (TM Robot) collaborative robots at MachineBuilding.South with […]
Annual robot shipments to top 760k units in 2030
The industrial robot industry saw 5.1% growth in 2025, following a contraction of -2% in 2024, Interact Analysis reports. The market is now forecast to record steady growth out to 2030, at an average annual rate of 6.7%, rising from 549,555 units in 2025 to 761,303 units in 2030. The latest industrial robots report from […]
Universal Robots hosts Food & Beverage Masterclass
The Food & Beverage Masterclass, hosted by Universal Robots in June, 2026 at Riseholme Park in Lincoln, brought together industry professionals for a practical and engaging half-day event focused on end of line automation with collaborative robots (cobots). Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and […]
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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Gourmet-food-maker automates packaging process
Rockwell Automation has announced that Cranswick, one of Britain’s leading manufacturers of premium gourmet foods, has commissioned a new robotic end-of-line pick-and-place system using autonox Robotics. Every year, Cranswick produces millions of “pigs-in-blankets” (sausages wrapped in bacon) for the Christmas market. The final stage of the process – picking the sausages off the conveyor belt […]
Universal Robots hosts Food & Beverage Masterclass
The Food & Beverage Masterclass, hosted by Universal Robots in June, 2026 at Riseholme Park in Lincoln, brought together industry professionals for a practical and engaging half-day event focused on end of line automation with collaborative robots (cobots). Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and […]
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, […]
Axelent examines guarding requirements for robots
The experts from Axelent discuss the important issue of guarding for robot cells when the guard is to be positioned within the motion range of the robot. We are often asked about the stability of guards in connection with robot installations, where the guard (fencing) needs to be placed in the motion range of a […]