Munich-based AL-KO, parent company of the internationally active AL-KO Kober SE, has acquired 75.04% of the shares in Stemmer Imaging from the company’s founder Wilhelm Stemmer. The successful management team acquired a share of 24.96% in the company as part of the transaction. AL-KO Kober SE, founded in 1931 by Alois Kober as a small […]
Automation specialist, RARUK Automation, will be showing the full extent of its products and systems for the processing and packaging sectors at PPMA 2017 but several areas of its stand have already been earmarked for new introductions. Among the first to be confirmed is a new Robotiq gripper system that enhances the productivity of the […]
As part of its continued investment in product development, Edinburgh-headquartered Zonal Retail Data Systems has introduced a robotic arm to aid R&D and ensure the company meets the highest demands in product testing. Selected for its nimble movement and adaptable configuration, Zonal opted for a Universal Robot UR3 table-top robotic arm and Robotiq 2-finger adaptive […]
SCHUNK recently demonstrated why its product range is the industry benchmark at the Advanced Manufacturing and Subcon exhibition. At the Birmingham NEC, the German manufacturer showed a host of new and established Gripping, Toolholding and Workholding product lines that delighted international visitors to Advanced Manufacturing and also the subcontract exhibitors at Subcon. SCHUNK used the […]
Bottling is an important stage in many manufacturing processes where liquid products are packaged as part of the final stage of production, for example in the brewing, distilling and beverage industries. The physical ‘bottle lifting’ process is a key part of this process and a new combination of an air gripper tool and sophisticated robot […]
Hearing aid device manufacturer Oticon required a more flexible robot to handle the tiny hearing device components in its production. The company had been using robot technology for the past 10 years. But, as the minute components became increasingly smaller in order to make the hearing aids more comfortable, the existing two- and three-axes robots […]
FANUC is introducing a new high-specification ARC welding robot to its acclaimed ARC Mate series. Succeeding the ARC Mate 100iC/12, the new ARC Mate 100iD will deliver significant productivity improvements for customers through its superior motion performance alongside simpler installation efforts and lower ownership costs thanks to its seamless integration with weld process equipment. Boasting […]
Schneider Electric has launched a family of PacDrive-based robots as part of an end-to-end solution for production optimisation. Until now automated production lines have used a combination of mechatronic solutions: discrete and synchronised motion control, delta, scara and 6 axis robots. Generally, each individual mechatronic element has its own controller, PLC or safety system linked […]
The average human arm measures just 63.5 centimetres. This makes placing heavy loads of products into deep food Bulk Display Units (BDUs) challenging and subjects manual handlers to high risk of repetitive strain injuries. Torso twisting and bending to reach into low corners is especially hazardous when repeated throughout the working day. With BDUs being […]
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 […]
Rodriguez brings Cobot Transfer Unit to AMB
From 15 to 19 September 2026, Rodriguez will be showcasing the MovoTrak Cobot Transfer Unit (CTU) at AMB in Stuttgart. With the MovoTrak CTU, Rodriguez is offering, for the first time, a collaboratively designed range extension for cobots. The solution expands the working area by adding a movable 7th axis and enables a cobot to […]
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 […]
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, […]
Robots versus conventional automation solutions
When there’s a need to add bespoke functionality to a production line, the end user and the equipment supplier are often faced with having to choose between a conventional solution and one that uses industrial robots. Bob Hinchcliffe, technical director at automation expert Stelram Engineering examines the pros and cons of both approaches. Conventional approaches […]