Sick has launched The Monitoring Box, a simple system that enables plug-and-play condition monitoring and preventative maintenance of sensors, machines, processes and plants. The Sick Monitoring Box can be adapted for diverse individual operating requirements to provide live status feedback and historical analysis, supporting more effective maintenance and optimised efficiency. With the Sick Monitoring Box, […]
Automated assembly systems are increasingly used for high volume assembly operations because of their ability to remove labour and also eliminate the potential of assembly errors. Rugged inductive sensors from Contrinex help provide fault-free assembly and minimise downtime by reliable detecting the presence and position of equipment or components, ensuring that parts are correctly aligned […]
New servo technology from Festo is helping Grolsch to put the iconic swing tops on its bottles of lager. The ‘swing-top transfer unit’ was custom-designed by Festo in conjunction with system integrator MCA Linear Motion Robotics and is installed at the Grolsch Enschede plant in The Netherlands. The ‘swing-top transfer unit’ provides approximately 3,800 swing-top […]
Mills CNC, a machine tool supplier based in Leamington Spa, has chosen to use a laser triangulation sensor from Micro-Epsilon in one of its bespoke machine tool automation cells (SYNERGi) with a primary focus on inspecting large, hot rolled steel railway fishplates. The triangulation sensor, which is mounted on a Fanuc robot end effector, intricately […]
Tofmotion is participating in the LIGATE project funded by the European research and innovation program HORIZON 2020. The private-public consortium aims to strengthen the use of high-performance computing for the drug development process. In the course of this project Tofmotion will, in close cooperation with the University of Innsbruck, raise its ToF 3D camera simulation […]
Inline quality control systems are playing an increasingly important role in today’s manufacturing and production systems, helping to reduce downtime, minimising rejection rates and contributing to lower production costs and improved product quality. While some systems can be complex and expensive the continued development of key components such as sensors is helping to provide simpler, […]
During automated production of solar cells, compact two-finger grippers transport trays of silicon wafers between operations. To avoid impacts on the wafer’s surfaces, process engineers require reliable confirmation that gripper jaws are fully open before the gripper descends to pick up a tray. Contrinex’s Ultra-miniature inductive proximity sensors, mounted directly above the top faces of […]
Fault-free assembly is ensured, downtime minimised and assembly speed increased by using automated facilities for high volume assembly. Rugged inductive sensors detect the presence and position of equipment or components at each stage to ensure that parts are correctly aligned and ready for the next operation. The sensors must be accurate and responsive. In addition, […]
Precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon has launched a new laser triangulation sensor with integrated controller that offers even higher performance and is fast and easy to set up. The sensor is suitable for high speed, distance, displacement and position measurements in a wide range of robotic applications. The new compact optoNCDT 1750 laser triangulation sensor succeeds […]
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, […]
Ensure your logistics operations are prepared for the future
The pandemic has drastically changed consumer behaviour and has sped up what was already an upward trajectory for the adoption of online purchasing and digitalisation. In order to thrive, businesses need to ensure continuity of supply, the ability to implement remote staffing and social distancing and an agile supply chain with the capacity to meet […]