Feeding technology, handling and custom automation for high-volume production processes
RNA Automation Limited
Birmingham (UK) · Aachen (DE, Group HQ) · Ergolding (DE) · Switzerland · Spain · CanadaNew on Amplifa
About RNA Automation
RNA Automation Limited is a machinery manufacturer specialised in automation technology, based in Birmingham (UK) and part of Rhein-Nadel Automation (Rheinnadel Group, Aachen). The company develops and manufactures automatic feeding and handling systems: vibratory bowl feeders (conventional, digital, EcoType™), centrifugal and step feeder systems, linear and flexible feeders (FlexType™, FlexCube™, VariFeed®) as well as component assembly machines, injection moulding automation, vision-guided robotics and the MK360™ Glass Disc Vision Inspection System. Production materials include stainless steel (e.g. 600 mm vibratory feeder for tablet inspection) and plastic, including milled plastic bowls through the FSA Zuführtechnik GmbH founded in 2025. Customers come from pharma, plastics, fasteners, automotive, packaging, electronics, cosmetics and food. With nine production sites in Europe and a worldwide sales and service network, RNA also offers relining, refurbishing, spare parts and service for vibratory feeders.
- Site
- B35 7AG Birmingham, UK
- Processes
- Vibratory Bowl Feeders (Conventional, Digital, EcoType™), Centrifugal Feeders / VariFeed®, Step Feeders, Multi-lane Linear Systems / Linear Feeders, Flexible Feeders (FlexType™ P, FlexCube™ Series, FlexType™ VT, FlexType™ R), Component Assembly Machines, Assembly Mobbing / Assembly FlexType™ P Assembly, FlexType™ P Pack, FlexType™ Clip, Injection Moulding Automation
- Materials
- Stainless Steel, Plastic (for milled bowls), Glass (Glass Vials, Glass Disc), Plastic, Glass
- Industries
- Pharma, Plastics, Fasteners/Industrial Components, Automotive, Packaging, Electronics
- 01
Engineering and system design
- 02
Manufacturing (stainless steel/plastic components, milled bowls)
- 03
Tooling and system integration
- 04
Vision inspection and robotics
- 05
Commissioning, service, spare parts and refurbishing
Materials & Processes
Stainless Steel
Used e.g. in pharmaceutical 600 mm vibratory feeders and systems built to pharma standards.
Plastic
Material for milled feeder bowls (FSA Zuführtechnik GmbH) and FlexType™ 3D-printed bowls.
Glass
Used for glass discs in the MK360™ Vision Inspection System as well as handling of glass vials.
Locations
Birmingham
GBUK Headquarters / Manufacturing
- Materials
- Stainless steel, plastic
- MK360™ Glass Disc Vision Inspection System
- Vision Guided Robotic Systems (SVIA, ABB Robotic Controller)
- Tablet Inspection System (600 mm vibratory feeder, 4 cameras, high-speed PC)
Systems & Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vibratory Bowl Feeders (Conventional, Digital, EcoType™)Assembly | – | – | – | – | Stainless steel, Plastic |
| Centrifugal Feeders / VariFeed®Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Step FeedersAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Multi-lane Linear Systems / Linear FeedersAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Flexible Feeders (FlexType™ P, FlexCube™ Series, FlexType™ VT, FlexType™ R)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Component Assembly MachinesAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assembly Mobbing / Assembly FlexType™ P Assembly, FlexType™ P Pack, FlexType™ ClipAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Injection Moulding AutomationPlastics | – | – | – | – | Plastic |
| Robotic Handling / Vision Guided RobotsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| MK360™ Glass Disc Vision Inspection / Tablet Inspection / Vision InspectionInspection | – | – | – | – | Stainless steel, Glass |
| Tray Loading and Bottle Handling SystemsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Bowl Feeder Relining and Refurbishing (Services)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of milled plastic bowls (milled plastic bowls, FSA Zuführtechnik GmbH)Machining | – | – | – | – | Plastic |
| Custom Automation & RoboticsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK360™ Glass Disc Vision Inspection System | RNA MK360™ | – | – | – | Birmingham, UK |
| Tablet Inspection System (600 mm stainless steel vibratory feeder, 4 double-speed progressive | RNA | – | 600 mm diameter bowl, 800–1000 parts/min | – | – |
| Vision Guided Robotic Systems (SVIA, ABB Robotic Controller) | SVIA / ABB | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
History
- 1968
The machinery division of the needle factory is established as Rheinnadel Maschinenbau and works for external customers.
- 1972
Founding of Rhein-Nadel Automation GmbH, focus on feeding technology.
- 1980
Expansion: Ergolding branch as well as subsidiaries in Switzerland and Great Britain.
- 1986
Founding of RNA Automation in Birmingham, UK.
- 1990
Acquisition of the Spanish company Vibrant S.A. (1990–1999).
- 2000
Founding of RNA Automated Systems Inc. in Canada, first subsidiary outside Europe.
- 2004
Rheinnadel Group bundles its activities on automation; expansion of development capacities.
- 2025
RNA founds FSA Zuführtechnik GmbH for the production of milled plastic bowls.