The HepcoMotion stand at PPMA featured a Cartesian robot built by the company’s systems integration arm, HepcoAutomation, demonstrating precision manipulation of a glue head within a packaging industry context. Visitors selected a word or image from an HMI screen, and then saw the robot write the word out or follow the image profile with the […]
A demonstration robot cell on the FANUC stand at the PPMA show highlighted how packaging companies can enjoy the best of both worlds of optimised productivity combined with the highest levels of operator safety. Completely open on two sides, the cell combined FANUC’s Dual Check Safety (DCS) technology with a safety scanner and safety camera. […]
In response to rising retailer demand for mixed product trays, FANUC has collaborated with integrator Pacepacker Services to engineer a first-of-its-kind robotic pot swap tray loading system. A demonstration cell was on show at PPMA, swapping pots between cardboard trays and featuring FANUC’s fenceless DCS safety technology. The robotic pick and place unit combines FANUC’s […]
On paper, the concept of automating vertical tray packing sounds relatively straightforward. However, even if the packs are presented uniformly to a robot with a vacuum end-effector, the shortcoming will always be ‘how do you get the last pack into the tray?’ The Shingle Tray Loader (STL) designed by Pacepacker Services solves this problem. The […]
This year saw the return of the ABB stand at The PPMA Show. ABB shared its stand with packaging systems specialist RM Group, a member of ABB’s Authorised Value Provider (AVP) network. A highlight of the stand was a demonstration cell featuring ABB’s FlexPicker robots, which are ideal for high speed picking and placing applications […]
The Robotics Update team were at the PPMA Show at the NEC, Birmingham in September, looking at innovations in robotics and vision technologies for packaging and palletising applications. Over the next ten pages, we’ll present some of the most interesting and exciting of those innovations, and highlight the latest news from the key players. The modern […]
Scorpion Vision has announced the launch of a new, redesigned version of its website, www.scorpionvision.co.uk. Key features of the site include a cleaner and more attractive design, a more engaging user experience with enhanced search and navigation, and the capability to search for camera products using a new search tool that allows the user to […]
Omron reports that it has strengthened its industrial automation business with the acquisition of Adept Technology. Omron will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Adept common stock through an all cash tender offer followed by a second-step merger. For 30 years Adept has been an industry leader in the development of innovative and powerful […]
To eliminate tedious manual handling in the manufacturing process for water-testing swabs, manufacturing automation expert Secure Technologies Ltd has developed an efficient and cost-effective solution based on an Omron SCARA robot. This novel solution also makes extensive use of other Omron automation components, including laser sensors to accurately detect the position of the tiny swabs, […]
Battery designer and manufacturer Saft has made a strategic breakthrough into China’s fast growing industrial robot sector with its first order for STEP Electric Corporation, a public National High-Tech Enterprise specialising in industrial automation. STEP Electric Corporation is installing Saft’s primary lithium batteries in its new generation robots to back up the memory in their […]
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 […]