Robotic Integration UK: Your Robotic Integrator from Concept to Commissioning
Robot Store is an independent robotic integrator for UK and European manufacturers. We design, simulate, build, install and support robot cells around ABB, KUKA and FANUC robots, and connect them to the machines, conveyors and PLCs you already run. Because we supply the robots too, our robot integration projects can use a tested refurbished robot and cost far less than an all-new system.
Industrial robot experience
ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Motoman & cobots
One contract from design to sign-off
Installation, commissioning and support
What is robotic integration?
Robotic integration is the engineering that turns an industrial robot into a working production cell. It covers choosing the robot, designing the tooling, fixtures and guarding, programming the robot and PLC, connecting it to your line, and commissioning it safely on your site.
A robot arm on its own can’t weld, palletise or tend a machine. The value comes from everything around it, and that’s the job of a robotic integrator (also called a robot system integrator). The integrator takes responsibility for the whole system: it must reach every point, hit your cycle time, talk to your equipment and meet UK safety law.
Good integration is why one robot cell pays back in months and another sits switched off in the corner. Our engineers have been programming and integrating industrial robots for over 20 years, across welding, palletising, machine tending, milling, assembly and painting.
- Robot selection
- Cell design & simulation
- Tooling & fixtures
- PLC, HMI & vision
- Safety & CE/UKCA
- Install & commission
Robot integration services
Use us for the full turnkey project, or only for the stages you can’t cover in-house. Every service below is delivered by our own robot engineers, not passed to subcontractors.
Feasibility & payback study
We review your parts, volumes and process, confirm a robot can do the job, and estimate cycle time, budget and payback before you commit.
Robot selection & supply
The right ABB, KUKA or FANUC robot for payload, reach and speed, new or tested refurbished from our own UK stock.
Cell design & Free simulation
Layout, reach studies and offline simulation in RobotStudio, KUKA.Sim or ROBOGUIDE prove the cell and cycle time before anything is built.
End-of-arm tooling & fixtures
Grippers, vacuum heads, welding torches, spindles, tool changers, jigs and positioners designed around your part.
PLC, HMI, vision & line integration
Robot-to-PLC communication (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, I/O), HMIs, conveyors, CNC machines and vision systems working as one line.
UK Safety Standards
Risk assessment, guarding, light curtains, area scanners, safety PLCs and robot safety controllers, with the paperwork to match.
Installation & commissioning
Factory acceptance test (FAT) at our works, then on-site installation, site acceptance test (SAT) and sign-off at the agreed cycle time.
Robot programming
Online and offline programming for ABB RAPID, KUKA KRL and FANUC TP, including path, weld and palletising programs.
Operator & maintenance training
Hands-on training at handover so your team can run, recover and maintain the cell, plus beginner to advanced courses.
Retrofit & robot redeployment
Add robots to a manual or semi-automatic line, move a robot to a new task, or upgrade older S4C+, KR C2 and RJ3iB systems.
Support, spares & service
Breakdown help, program changes, preventive maintenance and ABB, KUKA, FANUC and Motoman spare parts from UK stock.
Send us a photo or video of the job, the part weight and your target output. A robot engineer will tell you whether it can be automated and roughly what it would cost.
Robotic cells we integrate
Most of our robot integration work falls into these applications. Each one has its own tooling, safety and programming challenges, and we’ve solved them before.
Robotic welding cells
MIG/MAG, TIG and spot welding with positioners, two-station loading and torch cleaning.
Palletising & depalletising
End-of-line cells for boxes, sacks, crates and timber, with pallet and slip-sheet handling.
Machine tending
Robots loading and unloading CNC machines, presses and injection moulding machines around the clock.
Assembly cells
Screwdriving, pressing, inserting and part feeding with vision for accurate placement.
Painting & coating cells
Spray booths, applicators and paint supply, with EX robots for hazardous areas.
Milling, cutting & trimming
Spindle, router, waterjet and laser cells for foam, timber, composites and plastics.
Vision-guided picking & inspection
2D and 3D vision to locate random parts, check quality and reject defects in line.
Handling, packing & dispensing
Pick and place, case packing, gluing and sealing, linked to your conveyors and labellers.
Need palletising fast? Our ready-to-use KUKA palletising cell is pre-built and only needs configuring for your products. For whole-line projects with conveyors and controls, see industrial automation systems.
Our robot integration process
Every robotic integration project follows the same seven stages. Each one ends with something you can see and sign off, so there are no surprises on installation day.
Feasibility & site survey
We study your parts, process, floor space and targets, and confirm the job suits a robot.
You get: a recommendation and budget estimate
Concept & simulation
We lay out the cell and simulate the robot to prove reach, clearances and cycle time.
You get: a 3D layout, cycle time and fixed quote
Detailed design
Mechanical, electrical and safety design: tooling, fixtures, guarding, panels and the control system.
You get: design review and risk assessment
Build & factory test (FAT)
We build, wire and program the cell at our works and run it with your real parts.
You get: to see it running before it ships
Installation & site test (SAT)
We install, connect and commission the cell on your site, planned around your production.
You get: sign-off at the agreed cycle time
Training & handover
Operators and maintenance staff are trained on the cell, with manuals, drawings and backups.
You get: a team confident to run it
Support & optimisation
Remote and on-site support, spare parts, program changes and new products added later.
You get: one partner for the life of the cell
- Robot install & programming: days to weeks
- Single-robot cell: around 8–16 weeks
- Multi-robot cell or line: around 4–9 months
Robot simulation and offline programming
Before we quote a fixed price, we build your cell in 3D using the robot makers’ own software: ABB RobotStudio, KUKA.Sim and FANUC ROBOGUIDE. The simulation shows whether the robot reaches every point, avoids collisions and hits your cycle time.
The same model becomes the robot program. Most of the programming is done offline, so your line keeps running and on-site commissioning takes days, not weeks.
- Reach & clearance checks
- Cycle time proven
- Collision detection
- Offline programs
- Less downtime
Robot safety cells built to UK standards
When a robot is built into a cell, the complete cell becomes a new machine in law. Someone has to assess the risks, design the safety system and declare the machine compliant. On a turnkey project, that’s the robotic integrator’s job, and it’s one of the most important reasons to use one.
- Machinery Risk Assessment Identifies hazards in the robotic cell and reduces operational and maintenance risks.
- Designed to meet robot safety standards Covers safe robot design, focusing on movement, limitations, stopping functions, hazards, and emergency stops.
- Industrial Robot Applications Covers safety in robot integration with tools, machinery, and operator interactions.
- The right safeguards for the jobFixed guarding, interlocked doors, light curtains, area scanners, safety PLCs and robot safety controllers such as ABB SafeMove, KUKA SafeOperation and FANUC DCS.
- Safety-Related Control Systems Ensures reliability and performance of safety functions like protective stops and guard interlocks.
- Electrical Equipment of MachineryCovers electrical equipment, control circuits, and safety against hazards.
How much does robot integration cost?
In most projects the robot is only about a quarter to a third of the total cost. The rest is integration: tooling, fixtures, guarding, controls, engineering, programming and commissioning.
That’s why we can often save you more than other integrators. Building your cell around a tested refurbished robot cuts the biggest single hardware cost by 40–60%, while the integration work and safety standards stay exactly the same.
| Type of integration project | What’s included | Typical budget (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Robot integration only | Installing, programming and commissioning a robot you already own or have bought, on an existing machine or line | Quoted per project, often £5k–£20k |
| Robot + start-up package | Refurbished robot and controller, tooling, installation, programming and operator training | Typically £25k–£45k |
| Single-robot turnkey cell | Robot, tooling, fixtures, guarding, safety system, PLC/HMI, simulation, FAT, SAT and CE/UKCA marking | Typically £35k–£120k |
| Multi-robot cell or line | Several robots, conveyors, vision and line controls, integrated with your existing equipment | Typically £150k–£250k+ |
Where the money goes in a typical robot cell
Indicative figures only. Your price depends on the application, part variety, cycle time, safety needs and how much of your line the cell connects to. Orange bars are integration costs. For robot-only prices by brand and model, see our robot prices guide.
Robotic integration projects we've delivered
Real cells our robot engineers have designed, built and commissioned for UK manufacturers. Each started with a manual or slow process and ended with a robot doing the job every shift.
Dual-station ABB welding cell
Two welding stations let the operator unload and reload one side while the robot welds the other, so the robot keeps welding instead of waiting, and every high-volume part gets the same weld.
Timber palletising cell
A robot now stacks heavy, awkward timber that was lifted by hand, speeding up the line, reducing manual-handling risk and preventing damage to products in transit.
Robotic trimming & nailing
Robots trim and nail timber panels to a consistent pattern, cutting waste and rework and freeing staff from a repetitive, noisy job.
Plastic moulding automation
A robot unloads and handles moulded parts at a steady rhythm, reducing defects and keeping high-volume production consistent across every shift.
Robotic milling cell
A large-reach robot with a spindle machines big parts at a fraction of the cost of a gantry machine, programmed offline from the CAD model.
Robots for the entertainment industry
ABB robots programmed for events and attractions, with the safety design needed when robots move close to the public.
Want to see a cell like yours? Ask us for references and project videos in your industry.
Robotic integrator vs robot manufacturer vs in-house
There are three ways to get a robot working in your factory. Here’s how they compare on the things that decide whether the project succeeds.
| What matters | Do it in-house | Robot manufacturer | Independent robotic integrator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robot choice | Whatever you can source | Their own brand only | Best robot for the job: ABB, KUKA, FANUC and more |
| New or refurbished | Either, at your own risk | Usually new only | Either, tested and supported |
| Tooling, fixtures and guarding | You design and build it | Often passed to a partner integrator | Designed and built for your part |
| Connection to your line and PLC | You work it out | Limited | Included: PLC, HMI, conveyors, vision |
| Safety and CE/UKCA marking | Your responsibility | Robot only | Whole cell, with technical file |
| Who’s responsible if it doesn’t work? | You | Split between suppliers | One contract, one point of contact |
| Best for | Teams with robot experience and time | Large, single-brand fleets | Most manufacturers, especially first robot cells |
Scroll sideways on mobile to see all columns. Already have robot engineers? We can supply just the robot or just the parts you’re missing, such as safety design or programming.
How to choose a robot integrator
The integrator you choose matters more than the robot. Ask every robotic integration company these six questions before you sign. Here’s how we answer them.
Have you integrated my robot brand and application before?
We work with ABB, KUKA and FANUC every day, plus Yaskawa Motoman, Kawasaki and Universal Robots, across welding, palletising, tending, milling, assembly and painting.
Will you prove the cycle time before I pay?
Yes. We simulate the cell first and agree the cycle time in the quote. You see it running at our factory acceptance test before it ships.
Who handles safety and CE/UKCA marking?
On turnkey projects, we do: risk assessment, safety design, validation and the Declaration of Conformity for the complete cell.
Can you lower the cost without cutting corners?
Yes. As a robot supplier we can build your cell around a tested refurbished robot from our own stock, often saving 40–60% on the robot.
Who owns the programs and documents?
You do. At handover you receive robot and PLC backups, electrical drawings, manuals and training, so you’re never locked in.
What happens after handover?
Remote and on-site support, spare parts from UK stock, program changes and further training for as long as the cell runs.
Want the bigger picture? Discover more about our UK robotics company, or visit our Robot Store.
Industries we integrate robots for
From single-robot cells for SMEs to multi-robot lines, we deliver robotic integration across UK manufacturing, and support projects in France and Western Europe.
- Automotive
- Metal fabrication
- Food & beverage
- Packaging
- Plastics
- Timber & joinery
- Logistics & warehousing
- Pharmaceutical
- Aerospace & composites
- Entertainment
Robotic integration FAQs
What is robotic integration?
Robotic integration is the process of designing, programming and installing an industrial robot into a production environment. It includes robot selection, end-of-arm tooling, fixtures, guarding and safety systems, connection to PLCs, HMIs and other machines, and commissioning the complete cell so it runs safely at the required cycle time.
What does a robotic integrator do?
A robotic integrator (or robot system integrator) takes responsibility for turning a robot into a working system. They assess feasibility, choose the robot, design and build the cell, write the robot and PLC programs, carry out the risk assessment and safety design, install and commission the cell, train your staff and support it afterwards.
How much does robot integration cost?
As a guide, integrating a robot you already own often costs £5k–£20k, a refurbished robot with a start-up package £25k–£45k, a single-robot turnkey cell £35k–£120k and a multi-robot cell or line £150k–£250k+ (ex VAT). The robot itself is usually only 25–35% of the total. See the cost breakdown above, or ask us for a fixed quote.
How long does a robot integration project take?
Installing and programming a robot on an existing machine can take days to a few weeks. A single-robot turnkey cell typically takes around 8–16 weeks from order to sign-off, and a multi-robot line around 4–9 months. Using a robot from our UK stock removes the long lead time of a new robot.
Can you integrate a robot I've already bought?
Yes. We regularly integrate robots that customers have bought elsewhere or moved from another line. We’ll check the robot, controller and options first, then quote for tooling, programming, safety and commissioning.
Can you retrofit robots into an existing manual process?
Yes. Many of our projects add a robot to a manual or semi-automatic process, or connect robots to legacy machines and control systems. We plan installation around your production to keep disruption to a minimum.
What does a turnkey robotic integration project include?
Feasibility study and simulation, cell design (mechanical and electrical), robot and component supply, tooling and fixtures, guarding and safety system, PLC and HMI programming, robot programming, factory and site acceptance tests, CE/UKCA marking, installation, commissioning, operator training and after-sales support.
What safety standards does a robot cell need to meet?
In the UK a robot cell is treated as a machine. It needs a risk assessment, safeguarding designed to standards such as ISO 10218-2 and ISO 13849, and a Declaration of Conformity with CE or UKCA marking under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. Typical safeguards include fencing, interlocked doors, light curtains, area scanners, safety PLCs and robot safety controllers.
Is it cheaper to integrate a refurbished robot?
Usually, yes. A tested refurbished robot typically costs 40–60% less than the same robot new, while the integration work and safety standards stay the same. That lowers the total project cost and shortens payback. Read why manufacturers choose refurbished robots.
Should I use a robotic integrator or the robot manufacturer?
Robot manufacturers are experts in their own robots, but many pass the tooling, guarding and line integration to a partner integrator. An independent robotic integrator chooses the best robot for the job, can offer new or refurbished robots and takes responsibility for the whole cell. For most manufacturers, especially with a first robot cell, an integrator is the simpler route.
Do you provide robot integration outside the UK?
Yes. We’re based in the UK and work across the country, and we also support new installations and expansions in France and Western Europe.
Free robot manuals for integrators
Planning an robotic integration yourself? Download these robot and controller manuals (PDF).
More robot services & guides
Talk to a robotic integrator about your project
Tell us what you make, the part weight, your target output and any photos or videos of the process. A robot engineer will come back with a recommended approach, a budget and the next steps. There’s no obligation.
