According to figures from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global sales of robotics increased in 2016 by 18% in value and 16% in volume compared to 2015. Patrick Schwarzkopf, managing director of VDMA Robotics and Automation, sees enormous economic and social potential: “It is not a coincidence that robotics and automation are booming. They […]
New from SMAC Moving Coil Actuators is the MGR6 Series Micro Gripper. The SMAC MGR6 Series Micro Gripper has a very low moving mass with two independent axes, and, thanks to a patented Soft-Land routine, is capable of light, controlled forces. It can be used as an end effector on third party robots. The unit […]
As industry today strives for more efficiency, increased output and reduced costs, Motion Control Products has introduced the Elfin series of collaborative robots to support the automation procedures associated with repetitive tasks. The Elfin robot arm system integrates the motors, harmonic gearboxes, brakes, feedback devices/sensors, drives and cables into a compact structure. This achieves high […]
In September 2017, VDMA increased its growth forecast for the current year for German robotics and automation from 7% to 11%. The industry is also booming internationally. With this positive outlook and numerous innovations ready to be shown, the world’s leading companies are going to meet at Automatica in Munich from June 19 to 22, […]
A leading specialist in multi-axis machining is leveraging the benefits of Universal Robots supplied by RARUK Automation to load and unload its machine tools. A mix of seven UR5 and UR10 robots have helped Rousant Sherwood maximise the productivity of its workforce by automating repetitive tasks and allowed the company to bid for contracts which […]
The ability to respond quickly and efficiently to rapidly changing customer demands is a key consideration in factory and process automation applications. Designed with this in mind, the new CPX-E modular control system from Festo delivers flexible, compact control coupled with high levels of compatibility to help engineers and machine builders deliver Industry 4.0-ready automation […]
Robotics specialist Sewtec has announced its intention to double turnover to £32m in five years as the company initiates a growth plan following a successful management buyout (MBO) in August last year. Based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, the high technology company designs and manufactures factory automation systems for global blue-chip clients in the food, pharmaceutical, […]
Placing a robot on a track greatly expands its operating envelope, potentially allowing it to tend multiple machines or to transfer materials across much greater distances. Will Bourn of Güdel explains how linear tracks can be used in many innovative ways to expand robot work envelopes in three dimensions. We are all used to seeing […]
David Jahn, director at packaging automation specialist Brillopak, examines how robotics can help food manufacturers and packhouses to seize the opportunities presented by disruptive packaging trends. Environmental concerns have been a consideration in packaging development for some years, but events in recent months have brought about a paradigm shift on packaging sustainability. Blue Planet II’s […]
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, […]
TUV SUD discusses collaborative robot safety
The use of collaborative robots can be considered to be part of the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 4.0. ISO 8373 defines an Industrial Robot as: “An automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more axes, which may be either fixed in place or mobile for use in industrial automation applications.” Collaborative Robots, sometimes […]