One of the first attempts at humanoid robot design took place in 1495, when Leonardo Da Vinci developed the mechanical knight. The robot was designed to make several human-like motions, but it wasn’t until the 1990s, when the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) invented Kismet, the world’s first sociable robot. The manufacturing industry took inspiration […]
This video is the third in a four-part series demonstrating how quick and easy it is to build your own versatile robotic systems using modular, low-cost and easy-to-assemble robolink kits from motion plastics specialist, Igus. As engineers continue to utilise robotics to increase productivity and safely automate all kinds of repetitive tasks, from automotive assembly […]
The first Fanuc M410iC/185 universal palletising robot has been installed in the UK at pulse processor Askew & Barrett, where it has helped to boost productivity by 15-20% and eliminated a potential health and safety risk factor by automating a manual palletising operation. Askew & Barrett sources pulses from key agricultural merchants and then sorts, […]
Fanuc 3D Area Sensors enable robots to recognise and pick up randomly positioned objects. Capable of locating parts three dimensionally, the 3D Area Sensor adds flexibility and reliability to operations traditionally completed by humans or which otherwise require sophisticated and expensive dedicated machinery. Vision-guided robotics (VGR) is fast becoming an enabling technology for the automation […]
This video is the second in a four-part series demonstrating how quick and easy it is to build your own versatile robotic systems using modular, low-cost and easy-to-assemble robolink kits from motion plastics specialist, Igus. As engineers continue to utilise robotics to increase productivity and safely automate all kinds of repetitive tasks, robolink from Igus […]
As the sale of collaborative robots gathers momentum in the UK and Ireland, Universal Robots (UR) has announced the appointment of Mark Gray to stimulate and manage this growth. He joins the company as Area Sales Manager with more than 25 years of engineering sales and marketing experience across diverse industrial sectors. Based in Doncaster, […]
As global demand for fast food sees burger chains racking up more than $75 billion in annual sales, keeping human cooks out of harm’s way has become a key concern, with slips, trips, burns and cuts all being commonly reported hazards. But now Universal Robots is supplying collaborative robots to a US-based business which is […]
This video is the first in a four-part series demonstrating how quick and easy it is to build your own robotic systems using modular, low-cost and easy-to-assemble robolink kits from motion plastics specialist, Igus. Engineers are increasingly looking to robotics to safely automate repetitive tasks, enhancing productivity across many industries and applications from automotive assembly […]
Robotiq is offering a new way to optimize cycle times for machine tending and testing tasks, using its grippers on Universal Robots. The company has released a new version of its popular Gripper Software for Universal Robots that now allows installing multiple 2-Finger Grippers on one UR arm. You can configure and program each Gripper […]
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 […]
ChocoMatic comes to life with igus 7th axis
When customers tap a screen to choose their favourite chocolates, Roose Automation’s ‘ChocoMatic’ robot arm travels along a linear track, selects each chocolate, and delivers them without human intervention. Behind this playful, hygienic automation lies a clever piece of engineering: the 7th axis from igus. Roose Automation wanted to give its robot arm the freedom […]
Cost-effective robotic automation products
Mouser Electronics announces a distribution agreement with igus, a global leader in industrial and automation products. With over 60 years of design experience and a strong reputation for quality, igus offers a range of technically advanced “motion plastics” designed for Industry 4.0 and 5.0. The igus product portfolio includes flexible cables, robotic components, motor control […]
High-payload collaborative robots from OMRON
OMRON Robotics and Safety Technologies has expanded its TM S Series collaborative robot portfolio with three new models and a major software update, supporting manufacturers facing labour shortages and increasing requirements for flexible, high-mix production. The TM30S, TM20S and TM6S extend the series’ payload and reach capabilities for applications such as palletising, machine tending and […]
RARUK Automation demos cobot palletising solution
On 11-12 February 2026, Packaging Innovations and EMPACK will be returning to the NEC in Birmingham. RARUK Automation will be showcasing the PE10 Robotiq Palletising Solution designed specifically for Universal Robots collaborative robots (cobots). Palletising is a repetitive and strenuous task that poses risk of injury to workers. For manufacturers looking to increase efficiency, palletising […]
New off-the-shelf and modular palletisers
End-of-line palletising is a task commonly automated across a range of industries, due to bottlenecks and the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) to workers. RARUK Automation can now offer two simple approaches to palletising automation, from partner Robotiq. RARUK Automation is the exclusive UK representative for Robotiq, a Canadian manufacturer of end-of-arm tooling 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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Automation and robotics in food manufacturing
At Food Manufacturing Live, Jake Norman, managing director at OAL, discusses applications for robotics in food factories to automate the likes of pick and place operations, palletising, case packing and other areas. He highlights the picking of fresh fruit, with a particular demonstration on the stand showing a robot picking up oranges. “We work with […]
Bridging the gap in food and beverage plants
Food and beverage plants increasingly operate with a blend of equipment generations: legacy machinery that has served reliably for years, and newer automation technologies designed to enhance efficiency, traceability and sustainability. This hybrid setup gives manufacturers flexibility to modernise gradually, but it also presents a growing challenge: how to maintain ageing assets while integrating more […]
FANUC robot pairs hygiene with high performance
To meet the growing demand for food and cleanroom applications, FANUC has unveiled the latest model in its LR Mate industrial robot range. The compact and powerful LR Mate 10-11A Food/Clean has a 10kg payload and is compliant with ISO 4 Class cleanrooms. This makes it ideal for use in highly controlled environments across sectors […]
Fanuc provides a simple guide to robot safety
Industrial robots are automated moving devices with multiple axes. Motion paths, sequences and angles can be freely programmed and controlled by sensors. Robots can also be fitted with grippers and other tools, enabling them to manipulate objects and carry out production tasks. Robots are well suited to carry out many different automated tasks and make […]