Robotics

News

Labour shortages: We should be prioritising needs not best and brightest, says George Eustice

03-Jul-2023 By Bethan Grylls

Former secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs George Eustice has argued that the current foreign worker schemes focus too much on highly skilled workers and not on skill gaps.

Opinion

Three focus areas for supply chains in 2023

26-Jan-2023 By Bethan Grylls

Nigel Paine, Supply Chain Director at Britvic discusses how the inner workers of the supply chain has altered over the last few years and what that means for food and beverage companies in 2023.

Robots that work with humans

31-Oct-2016 By Rick Pendrous

Some of the latest developments in human-robot collaboration were displayed by RARUK Automation, a RA Rodriguez company, at the Processing & Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA) Total Show 2016 at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre in September.

PPMA Total Show 2016 preview

Omron acquisition extends its robot offering

01-Sep-2016 By Gwen Ridler

Omron will formally announce its acquisition of US robot supplier Adept Technologies at the show. This expands its portfolio of products with the addition of six-axis articulated robots.

PPMA Total Show 2016 preview

Human friendly cage-free robots

31-Aug-2016 By Rick Pendrous

A collaborative robot, or ‘cobot’, designed for working safely with shopfloor staff, challenged to work alongside a caged cell containing a conventional robot, will be the centrepiece of Fanuc’s stand at the show.

Belgian brewer uses robots to palletise its kegs

25-Aug-2016 By Rick Pendrous

The Haacht Brewery in Boortmeerbeek, said to be Belgium's third largest brewery, has revealed it has been using Fanuc industrial robots for around six years to process, fill and palletise the heavy beer kegs it handles, following a decision made...

Robotic pot swap loader for mixed food trays

26-May-2016 By Rick Pendrous

The manual process of putting together mixed chilled product trays has now been automated by Fanuc in collaboration with Pacepacker Services, using a robotic pot swap tray loading system.

Robotic cake divider makes use of ultrasonic cutter

03-Nov-2015

A compact stand-alone robotic cutting cell, specifically for use in the food industry, has been developed by Mitsubishi Electric Automation and Western Mechanical Handling (WMH) UK.

Food firms keeping quiet about automation

03-Mar-2014 By Andrew Williams

Supermarkets’ short-term contracts are stifling the automation of the food industry, says Andrew Williams

Universal Robot makes light of automation

30-Apr-2013

R A Rodriguez will be showing the Universal Robot, a lightweight robotic arm that provides easy automation, at The Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition. It will demonstrate how complementary technology can now add intelligence and even greater scope...

Fabulous Bakin’ Boys gets boost from robotics

11-Dec-2012 By Mike Stones

Cake, flapjack and muffin maker, the Fabulous Bakin’ Boys are reaping the benefits of a £3M investment in robotic technology, which is enabling the firm to grow new markets, cut costs and boost efficiency.

Demand for food manufacturing robots soars

08-Jun-2012 By Mike Stones

Food and drink manufacturers' interest in using robots has soared, according to the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA).

New easy-to-use Danish robot targets small food firms

07-Jun-2012 By Rick Pendrous

A low-priced flexible robot, which is simple to programme and doesn't require specialist coding skills, is expected to receive a warm welcome by smaller food firms looking to make their first step into automation, according to the Danish company...

Install robots or die, food manufacturers told

20-Apr-2012 By Mike Stones

Food and drink manufacturers should adopt robotic technology or risk losing out to foreign competition, warns Mike Wilson, director of the Automation Advisory Service.

Food industry robots soon to take meat samples

13-Feb-2012 By Freddie Dawson

Robotic sampling of meat quality on slaughterhouse production lines could be commercially available next year, as a result of a £1M research project.

Robotics workshop to help food firms match Europe

20-Oct-2011 By Mike Stones

A robotics workshop will take place next month to help UK food and beverage manufacturers catch up with their European competitors.

Robotics or die: food manufacturers’ 10-year choice

28-Sep-2011 By Mike Stones

UK food manufacturers have between just five to 10 years to adopt robotic technology or face terminal decline.

Robots with the long arm of the law

01-Sep-2011

Automation specialist Omron will be exhibiting integrated automation systems that provide the packaging industry with flexible, efficient and cost-effective ways of addressing the ever-increasing competitive and regulatory pressures it faces.

Simpler systems could boost UK robotic sales

25-Aug-2010 By Ben Bouckley

Relatively simple and inexpensive robots could be the key for robot manufacturers looking to boost UK sales, according to a leading automation industry figure.

Long arm doesn't miss a pick

01-Mar-2010

The new TV800 EZCell robot, launched in the UK by TM Robotics this month, is the first six-axes robot manufactured by Toshiba Machine.Designed for...

Robot ends acquire new sense of touch

24-Feb-2009

A sensor system has been introduced, which gives robot end effectors and other grippers a 'sense of touch', allowing intricate or delicate handling...

Second generation delta FlexPicker robots unveiled

26-Mar-2008

ABB Robotics will give the European premier of its second generation FlexPicker delta robot at Interpack in Dusseldorf in April.With increased speed,...

Robot company on the march

25-Jun-2007

Process automation and industrial robotics specialist Barr & Paatz has been appointed UK robot systems integrator by packaging automation...

Smart cameras put a sting in the tail of robot vision

27-Mar-2007

TM Robotics (Europe) has teamed up with Scorpion Vision to offer an industrial robot package that will allow engineers in the food industry to...

Ceiling mounted robot saves space

29-Jan-2007

TM Robotics has launched a ceiling mounted version of the Toshiba Machine TH450 pick and place robot arm, which will save space on the factory floor...