A fast-growing bubble tea kit manufacturer is on course to smash record Black Friday and Christmas sales after a major digital transformation supported by Made Smarter. The investment included a dual robot pick and place system. Bubble Panda, which manufactures DIY bubble tea kits sold directly to consumers, has seen demand rocket in the run-up […]
As a business specialising in robotic machines for surface finishing, Intec Robotics approached Fortress Safety seeking a solution to meet safety requirements. The company needed interlocks that could offer both flexibility and reliability to adapt across different machine designs in their supported industries. The tGard range stood out as a robust solution with a compact […]
Leuze is using artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly improve the measurement accuracy of optical distance sensors for challenging industrial applications, such as navigation and collision avoidance on robots and mobile platforms. This improves measurement accuracy without the need for additional computing resources during operation. The solution is based on a neural network. Optical distance sensors […]
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 […]
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 […]
Comau showcased its advanced automation technologies at Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia, (ITSA) held from December 1 to 3 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC) at Booth number 1-535. As the region’s leading platform for industrial innovation, the HANNOVER MESSE-backed event brought together global and local stakeholders committed to accelerating smarter, greener, and […]
Inovance provided visitors at SPS 2025 with the first European preview of its versatile new INO AIR real-time servo control solution with wireless technology, as well as providing a demo of an articulated robot. The Inovance stand also featured demonstrations of the company’s Total Automation Solution in action, covering the full range of connected industrial […]
TE Connectivity presents a Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) hybrid connector in M12 format. This development helps enable users to connect systems and machines within factory floor networks. The SPE M12 hybrid connectors, which comply with the IEC 63171-7 standard, support the integration of power-demanding field devices into the network and transmit large amounts of data […]
To help engineers meet the demands of modern machine automation and test stands – such as wind channels or model testing – Hottinger Bruel and Kjaer (HBK), has added a low-capacity model to its sensor family: the MCS10. The MCS10 multi-axis sensors can simultaneously capture up to three forces (tension and compression) and three moments […]
Rockwell Automation and Eplan will unveil a new integration at SPS 2025 that simplifies electrical design and simulation. The integration connects Eplan’s schematic design tools with Emulate3D digital twin software from Rockwell Automation, allowing engineers to virtually model, test and optimise systems, such as industrial robots, control panels and automated conveyors, before building any hardware. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]