Zimmer Group has completed over 35 different projects, totalling over 5,000 development hours, in applications relating to the automated handling of tyres, rims and wheels. And the company’s technology continues to gain traction within this sector. The route to finished wheels is complex with many different manufacturing processes and steps. As with virtually all areas […]
Stäubli has pioneered a number of developments in the pharmaceutical sector, including the Stericlean range of robots which have now become a mainstay in many pharmaceutical applications by facilitating automation within aseptic environments. However, just as for any other manufacturing sector, the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve to address multiple challenges such as new regulatory […]
Supply chain disruption and rising material costs are causing the global automotive industry to re-evaluate lean manufacturing principles, reveals a new survey commissioned by ABB Robotics. Shifting from ‘just-in-time’ to ‘just in case’ strategies, manufacturers are holding more stock to protect against unplanned disruptions. The survey was completed by a mix of global industry experts […]
LG Motion has appointed Basingstoke-based Minitec UK, which specialises in aluminium profile solutions for a wide range of industries, as a systems integrator for collaborative robot solutions in the UK. The new partnership will give Minitec UK access to the full Techman Robot collaborative robot series to help integrate complete robotic solutions for customers nationwide. […]
Maintaining and monitoring heavily used and hard-to-reach bus cables is a constant challenge. i.Sense CF.D – the monitoring module from Igus – has a unique function; it automatically detects the position of stressed areas in a cable and displays the length of cable where the defect is recorded. The new, visual status display means that […]
Rising labour costs and mounting workforce shortages are a growing global concern for automotive manufacturing, according to a new survey commissioned by ABB Robotics. Nearly a third (31%) of all respondents listed labour shortages among their top three challenges, while 35% ranked labour as their most concerning area when it came to rising costs. Crucially, […]
Sustainability efforts create entirely new markets, lead to attractive business models, and offer great opportunities for the key technology that is robotics and automation. Automatica, held in Munich from 27 to 30 June 2023, presents the opportunities of sustainable production. Smart automation can make a significant contribution to achieving the set climate goals by improving […]
Scorpion Vision is presenting a new application for its AI-powered 3D vision platform. The new 3D+AI solution will enable fresh produce processors to automate the peeling, coring and chopping of apples without impacting yield for the first time ever. Apple processing is an extremely labour-intensive task, but, until now, attempts at automation in this area […]
A new near-patient diagnostic testing system which promises to slash the waiting time for results relies on handling gantries and electric axes from Festo for pipetting and dispensing. The recent pandemic taught us that rapid and reliable tests at low cost are key to future prevention and control of transmissible diseases. High throughput testing for […]
Fanuc has launched two new ultra-hygienic additions to its SCARA pick-and-place robot range: the cleanroom-standard, pedestal-mounted SR-3iA/C three-axis and SR-6iA/C four-axis robots. Said to be ideal for replacing manual labour in handling tasks, they also boast anti-contamination features, meeting the highest safety and hygiene standards in even the most challenging food, pharma and general manufacturing […]
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, […]