As the trend of Industry 4.0 takes the world by storm, collaborative robots and smart factories are becoming the latest hot topic. At this year’s PPMA show, HMK will demonstrate the world’s first collaborative robot with built-in vision recognition from Techman Robot. The new TM5 Cobot from HMK merges systems that usually function separately in […]
Schneider Electric has appointed Mike Hughes as Zone President of the UK and Ireland. Hughes, who has worked with the company for 15 years, most recently as Executive Vice President of Segments and Strategic Customers, will be responsible for driving the region’s business at a time when organisations are seeking profitability and sustainability, amid the […]
Factory automation solutions provider FANUC UK will be using this year’s EMO to display its selection of Industry 4.0-ready technologies alongside its robots, robo-machines, drives and controls. Among the products on display, there will be a range of proprietary FANUC technologies that can be integrated easily into FANUC robots and machines to facilitate collaborative working, […]
SMC has launched a magnetic gripper that helps customers transfer workpieces with irregular surfaces, where prior to now it was difficult to gain sufficient absorption using a vacuum pad. With a holding force of up to 120N, the MHM-X6400 keeps hold of the workpieces even when the air is shut off, giving peace of mind […]
When RARUK Automation launched its MiR100, mobile industrial robot, last year it attracted a lot of attention from manufacturers actively looking at the most cost-effective ways of automating their production. The neat device has found favour with those seeking to optimize workflow, increase productivity and reduce costs and now RARUK Automation has introduced a new […]
HepcoMotion will be showcasing a selection of its industry leading range of linear motion technology at PPMA Show 2017. Key products on the stand include its core V guide linear system. GV3 is designed to serve a diverse range of automation and linear applications and is widely used in the packing industry for applications such […]
An autonomous robotic solution for improving process time and health and safety during the manufacture of cardboard boxes has been developed by the Integrated Manufacturing Group (IMG) of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). The system was developed for The Cardboard Box Company, an SME based in Accrington that designs, prints and manufactures bespoke corrugated […]
Danish fabricator MVI Maskinfabrik originally specialised in small batch production with short lead times but wanted to increase manufacturing flexibility to introduce new products – a new range of fittings for kitchen manufacturers, the wholesale market and general engineering applications. The company was also starting to receive larger orders and management was faced with the […]
At Motek 2017 Omron is presenting holistic automation solutions from a single source that allow manufacturing companies to achieve sustainable process optimizations in the fields of handling, intralogistics, and manufacturing. Omron’s ‘i-Automation’ concept represents intelligent, integrated, and interactive solutions that unlock untapped potential in terms of productivity and quality in industrial processes. Its key focus […]
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 […]
Application phase for 10th vector award is now open
The application phase of the igus vector award 2026 has begun. Now in its tenth year, a joint initiative is honouring designers worldwide who use high-performance plastic energy chains to create cable guides that set new technological standards, with winners to receive up to 5,000 euros in prize money. The vector award has gained international […]
Cobot completes one millionth PCB quality check
Hanover Displays, a UK-based manufacturer of passenger information systems for the public transport sector, has reached a major manufacturing milestone: the completion of its 1,000,000th automated quality test of printed circuit boards (PCBs) using Techman collaborative robots from LG Motion. The automation programme began in 2018, when Hanover introduced its first collaborative robot to improve […]
UR and Scale AI launch imitation learning system
Universal Robots (UR) unveiled the UR AI Trainer at GTC 2026 in Silicon Valley. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a tectonic shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks. These systems are powered by robust data generated in AI training cells where robots imitate humans. “Our customers, ranging from […]
The beverage palletising shift is accelerating
Martin Ray Winery in Napa Valley has deployed its first lean cobot palletising workcell and achieved a 16-month ROI, with the system installed in just two days. You can find out all about it in a webinar hosted by Robotiq on 19 March. Across Europe and North America, beverage producers, from kombucha and bottled water […]
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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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, […]
The beverage palletising shift is accelerating
Martin Ray Winery in Napa Valley has deployed its first lean cobot palletising workcell and achieved a 16-month ROI, with the system installed in just two days. You can find out all about it in a webinar hosted by Robotiq on 19 March. Across Europe and North America, beverage producers, from kombucha and bottled water […]
Robotics, vision and AI combine for dairy processes
Automation solutions provider Eberle Automatische Systeme has developed a breakthrough in quality control with a focus on the cheese-ripening process, combining AI with machine vision software from MVTec. The food industry is experiencing a transformative shift in quality control, due in part to advances in artificial intelligence (AI). When combined with rule-based machine vision, AI […]
Why do we blame robots when the line stops?
Production and packing lines will stop working for any number of reasons, but the default assumption will often be that a robotic malfunction is to blame. Instead of scapegoating the technology, Paul Wilkinson, commercial and information systems manager at Pacepacker Services, offers some advice on getting to the root of the problem. Robots are too […]