Industrial automation

Industrial automation for robotic production, process optimization, material handling, machine tending, packaging and smart factory applications. Technical articles, application insights and automation guidance from URT.

What logistics considerations should be taken into account when automating material handling processes with robots?

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Automating material handling with robots requires more than simply selecting the right robot. It also involves organizing how materials are transported, stored, moved, and managed throughout your factory or logistics center. Material handling covers everything from the arrival of raw materials to internal material flow and the outbound shipment of finished products. Poorly designed automation … Read more

Which process should you robotize first to achieve the fastest ROI

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Production manager evaluating industrial automation process selection on a manufacturing floor

Choosing the first process to robotize in a manufacturing plant is one of the most consequential automation decisions a company makes — not because the first project is the largest, but because it sets the internal reference point for every project that follows. A first project that delivers clear, measurable results builds the organizational confidence … Read more

End of line: when to automate and when a semi-manual solution makes more sense

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Robotic palletizing cell at the end of a production line in a food and beverage manufacturing facility

End of line automation is where most manufacturing plants first encounter a decision that is harder than it looks. The problem is visible — operators handling heavy loads repetitively, inconsistent pallet patterns, throughput that drops every time a format changes or a shift ends. The solution appears obvious: install a robot. But the companies that … Read more

How to know if a robot fits your plastic injection molding process

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Industrial robot performing part extraction in a plastic injection molding cell

Plastic injection molding is one of the most automated manufacturing processes in existence — and also one where robotic cells are most frequently misapplied. The question is rarely whether a robot can be integrated into a molding operation. Technically, it almost always can. The question that actually determines whether the project delivers value is more … Read more

How to robotize CNC machine loading and unloading without creating bottlenecks

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Industrial robot performing CNC machine tending — loading a part into a machining center

Robotic CNC machine tending is one of the most common entry points into industrial automation for machining operations — and one of the most frequently misexecuted. The technical side of CNC machine tending is well understood: a robot loads a blank into the machine, the CNC runs its cutting cycle, the robot extracts the finished … Read more

How to evaluate the compatibility of a refurbished robot with the existing automation systems in my plant?

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Engineer evaluating refurbished robot controller compatibility with existing factory automation systems

Refurbished robot compatibility with existing automation systems is one of the most frequently underestimated aspects of a used robot purchase. According to the International Federation of Robotics, integration complexity — not robot performance — is the primary reason robotic automation projects run over budget or past their commissioning timeline. The mechanical condition of the robot … Read more

How Does Predictive Maintenance Influence the Reliability and Lifespan of Robotic Systems in Industrial Automation?

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Not only the choice of the robot, but also its maintenance throughout its entire lifecycle, is a critical factor in achieving high performance within automated industrial production lines. To maximize the availability and reliability of automated systems, traditional maintenance approaches—whether preventive or reactive—are often not enough. For this reason, more and more industrial sectors are … Read more

What Type of Robot Is Best Suited for Milling Small Components or Mold Deburring, and Why? What Solution Does URT Offer?

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Milling small parts and deburring mold flash share a key requirement: they demand consistent precision in repetitive operations, often involving metals, polymers, or alloys. In these cases, the decisive factor isn’t brute force but motion control, stability, and repeatability. For this reason, these applications are among the most common robotic processes in industries such as … Read more

ABB Redefines Robotic Durability: Modernization Services That Extend the Life of Industrial Arms

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In a world where sustainability and operational efficiency are essential, maximizing the lifespan of industrial machinery has become a strategic priority. With this in mind, ABB Robotics has introduced a comprehensive Robot Modernization Service designed to extend the life of its industrial robot arms through upgraded components, software, and controllers. The initiative not only cuts … Read more

How to reduce scrap and rework in your plant thanks to robotic repeatability

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The financial problem of scrap In manufacturing, few words generate more losses than these two: scrap and rework. They’re not just defects: They are lost hours. They are wasted materials. They are delivery delays. They are dissatisfied customers. In plants where each defective part carries both a direct cost and a hidden cost (energy, wear, … Read more