At a formal ceremony, clamping and gripping systems specialist Schunk opened a new China Headquarters in Shanghai. Schunk wants to push ahead with its investment program and expand its local presence in China, something that was emphasised by the company’s managing partner Henrik Schunk at the opening ceremony. Since 2003, Schunk has been represented in […]
Anyone looking at the robotics offerings at this year’s Hannover Fair can’t fail to have noticed all the activity surrounding collaborative robots – not least because two significant acquisitions happened at just about the same time. First ABB bought Gomtec, and then Universal Robots announced that it had agreed an acquisition by Teradyne. If we […]
B&R is expanding its already extensive mapp technology portfolio to include function blocks for all the most commonly used robot kinematic systems. Not only does this allow users to commission robots much more quickly, it also makes maintenance and diagnostics substantially easier. The new robotic functions in mapp include both serial and parallel robot kinematics, […]
Automation systems provider HepcoAutomation and robot manufacturer KUKA have announced a partnership agreement that the companies believe will broaden the appeal of robots for a whole host of tasks, from heavy load lifting to light assembly operations. KUKA has a wide range of industrial robots and a worldwide reputation for innovation, the range of robots are used […]
Mike Wilson, general industry sales and marketing manager for ABB Robotics in the UK, explains why industry and Government need to work together more closely on building a more competitive manufacturing sector. As the manufacturer’s organisation EEF predicts 1.7 percent growth for 2015, things continue to look promising for the UK manufacturing sector. Yet there […]
Teradyne is to acquire Universal Robots, the Danish pioneer of collaborative robots, for $285 million net of cash acquired plus $65 million if certain performance targets are met extending through 2018. The acquisition has been approved by the Board of Directors of each company and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015 […]
Robotic systems are more sophisticated and varied than ever. In many industrial operations, they have long been integrated into wider automation and production processes and are accepted as making a key contribution to overall plant efficiency. So why are so many SME’s, particularly within the food and drink industry, still deterred by the technology and […]
Goudsmit Magnetics of Waalre has developed a new magnetic gripper, specially intended for high temperature applications, such as those in the bakery industry. Utilising magnetism and compressed air, these grippers can be used for positioning and placing baking tins on the infeed conveyors as well as for destacking lids from a magazine. The low weight, […]
Advanced automation specialist HepcoAutomation has been appointed as a key Omron system integrator partner offering superior application expertise for customers wanting reliable automation to drive down costs. Omron has an extensive range of industrial automation products and a worldwide reputation for high quality. The system integrator partnership with HepcoAutomation is designed to make automation and […]
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 […]
Unlocking the potential of robotic automation
Mike Wilson, general industry sales and marketing manager at ABB Robotics UK and Ireland, comments on how starting small could be the key to unlocking the potential of robotic automation in the UK. As someone with over 30 years of experience in robotics, it’s a source of great personal frustration for me to see the […]