Industry news

Global robot installations exceed world record for second year running

A staggering 553,052 industrial robots were installed globally in 2022, demonstrating that the demand for robotics and automation shows no sign of abating. According to figures from the latest International Federation of Robotics (IFR) World Robotics Report, the numbers are not only an increase of 5% on the previous year but beat the world record of 500,000 units for the second year in a row.
Industry news

Automation in manufacturing: introducing RPA

When we talk about automation in manufacturing, we usually mean the introduction of robotics or other machinery in order to speed up manual processes. However, this isn’t the only way that automation can be introduced into a manufacturing operation. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is growing in popularity amongst manufacturers as they seek to ensure their back office functions run as smoothly as the rest of their business.
Palletisers

What is an automatic palletiser?

From layer palletisers to cartesian palletisers, in the competitive world of manufacturing an automatic palletiser is a valuable addition to a production line. But what is a palletiser? What does a palletiser do and why is it such a beneficial piece of equipment? In this blog, we take a closer look at the features and benefits of palletisers, delve into the different types and provide an overview of the brands available.
Automation

The four biggest obstacles to automation and how to overcome them

We’ve written a lot about how to automate and the benefits of investing in automation - and there’s no doubt that in a competitive and fast-paced landscape, automation goes a long way towards boosting the productivity, efficiency and profitability of manufacturing operations. Yet despite this understanding manufacturers are still reluctant to make the move to a more automated production line, put off by obstacles such as high costs, lack of floor space or the overwhelm of choice. Here, we examine some of the potential barriers to automation and look at how they can be overcome.
Pick and place

What are pick and place robots and how can they help your business grow?

Pick and place robots do exactly what it says on the tin: pick things up from one location, such as a conveyor belt, and place them down in another, for example, on a pallet. The automated machines can be programmed to perform precise movements and can handle objects of all sizes with much greater speed, accuracy and consistency than a human operative. This makes them a popular choice for manufacturers looking to increase efficiency and productivity.