A collaboration between Festo and PCE Automation has helped recyclable packaging expert Frugalpac achieve the high throughputs and precision assembly necessary to meet increased demand for its innovative paperboard Frugal Bottle. Frugal Bottle is the world’s first paper wine and spirits bottle. Its innovative design comprises an outer made from 94% recycled paperboard with an […]
Universal Robots is hosting a Machine Tending Masterclass event on 26 April at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield. Attendees can access government funding and all of the expertise required to automate machine tending tasks and transform their operations. Manufacturers across all industries are invited to meet with Universal Robots, UR+ partners, CNC […]
The concept of personalisation of products continues to expand, and whether you wish to specify the materials and colour of the interior if your new car, or have your name printed on to a Coke bottle the choice is yours. This trend is also growing within the home as more and more individuals decide that […]
Answering plastic processors calls for a compact automation series designed specifically for injection moulding machines, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag has launched its own range of cartesian robots engineered in-house. And to support the roll out to the British market, the UK company has appointed Richard Nicholson as its new automation specialist to assist with commissioning and […]
The dynamic welding industry market is growing year on year. The increasing shortage of welding expertise and the increasing demand for flexible and safe welding machines is also forcing the technology to continue to innovate. This is why Omron and AWL have combined forces and decided to enter into a global partnership to develop and […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have been a part of industrial production for years – at least in theory. The vehemence of how AI is now making its way into practice will become apparent at Automatica, which will be held in Munich from June 21 to 24, 2022. It is beyond question that AI-based automation solutions […]
Automated shop floors where cobots work alongside operators are no longer the future, but rather the present. Whether they are used in manufacturing packaging, warehousing, maintenance or training – collaborative solutions are already changing the way we operate and, ultimately, the industrial world we know. Easy to program and install, they are also ideal for […]
Aerotech is bringing its new ‘small’ hexapod HEX150 to trade fair Control in Stuttgart from 3 to 6 May. The HEX150-140HL is a miniature hexapod positioning system with six degrees of freedom (DOF) that enables precise translation in the X, Y and Z directions as well as rotation around each of these axes. “The HEX150-140HL […]
A commonly cited barrier to automating manufacturing processes is cost, but this is something Igus has consistently addressed with a growing range of products within its ‘low cost automation’ (LCA) initiative – robots and devices designed to increase the productivity of tasks like electronic assembly and laboratory work while keeping the costs down. And the […]
Robotic systems have become a driving force for automating logistics processes, and through the Internet of Things (IoT), robots are becoming increasingly sensitive, autonomous, mobile and easier to operate. More and more they are becoming an everyday helper in factories and warehouses. Intelligent imaging techniques are playing an increasingly important role in this. To meet […]
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 […]
Delta cobots win BIG SEE Product Design Award 2026
Delta has been honoured with the BIG SEE Product Design Award 2026 for the Delta D-Bot series of collaborative robots. The BIG SEE Awards recognise outstanding creative achievements in the fields of architecture, product design, and industrial design. “Innovation is a core component of Delta’s corporate strategy. We consistently invest more than eight percent of […]
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 […]
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
... Read More »
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, […]