Schneider Electric has announced that applications are now open for the second instalment of the Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards. Launched in 2022, the awards honour the contribution of Schneider’s partner ecosystem in creating a more sustainable and electric world. This year, Schneider is broadening the scope of eligible companies to include customers and suppliers […]
When an automotive manufacturer needed a low cost, easy-to-implement solution to add RFID verification to the automated tooling change system, for a small robot working as a machine tender to an expensive and delicate machining centre, it turned to Contrinex. The integration of interchangeable end-of-arm tooling for robots increases their flexibility and capability but also […]
Stäubli Fluid Connectors will be a key participant at Interplas 2023, the UK’s leading plastics exhibition and conference, which promotes the innovation and technologies that transform how plastics are manufactured and used within the UK market. The Stäubli Fluid Connectors stand at this year’s exhibition will feature a range of different products and technologies including […]
A ‘smart’ ultra-compact profile sensor from Baumer is proving key on a newly developed space- and time-saving electroplating robot. In many applications surface coating such as electroplating is an important part of the manufacturing process and if performed manually, will require a considerable amount of space and human resources. However, a good example of the […]
Schneider Electric has launched the Lexium cobot. This collaborative machine features next-generation automation and advanced industrial robotics technology, designed to work closely alongside humans to perform gentle and diligent movements. Developed to improve plant productivity and safety, the Lexium cobot helps to minimise downtime caused by labour shortages, something which currently costs factories as much […]
When a photovoltaic cell manufacturer needed tiny inductive sensors to ensure a robot gripper could reliably pick up fragile silicon wafers without damaging them, it turned to Contrinex. The photovoltaic cell manufacturing plant handles a large number of fragile silicon wafers using a high level of automation. One such automation is the use of compact […]
Industrial robots in Europe are on the rise. The EU’s 27 member states installed almost 72,000 units in 2022 – up 6% year-on-year. These are preliminary results, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). “The top five adopting countries within the EU are Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Poland,” says Marina Bill, president of […]
Global economic volatility and supply chain disruptions are having a huge impact on the market for industrial robots, which has led to project delays and decreased spending on automation projects. Despite this, long-term projections remain steady, with electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and new energy related applications fuelling global demand for industrial robots and growth of […]
Leading automation distributor RARUK Automation has announced a new partnership with Vention. The new deal will enable RARUK Automation to offer Vention’s high-quality, custom framework solutions for robots to UK customers. With headquarters in Montreal, Vention’s products are used in over 2,000 factories across five continents. The company aims to help innovative manufacturers automate their […]
ABB is launching two new variants of its GoFa collaborative robot. The GoFa 10 and GoFa 12 offer new possibilities for companies to leverage cobot automation for enhanced efficiency. They can handle payloads of up to 10 and 12 kilograms. Handling these higher payloads with what ABB claims is market-leading repeatability, the cobots can handle […]
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, […]