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Stäubli’s HE 6-axis robot is the best choice for applications that prioritise hygiene

The entire line of Stäubli robots is available in versions that operate with NSF H1 food grade lubricants, with no loss of efficiency.Photo by Stäubli Tec-Systems GmbH Robotics

The entire line of Stäubli robots is available in versions that operate with NSF H1 food grade lubricants, with no loss of efficiency.
Photo by Stäubli Tec-Systems GmbH Robotics

With Europe, the United States, and Australia leading the charge, the food industry is very interested in industrial robots, particularly HE robots designed to work in humid environments. The HE 6-axis robot developed by Stäubli eliminates the risk of bacteriological contamination, is 100% hygienic, and technically beats the competition by a long shot. In fact, it’s the benchmark product for the industry. Report on innovation with a capital “I”.

Bread, pasta, cakes, meat, fish, dairy products, frozen foods, and fruits and vegetables are all considered “living” products, food products that must be handled in strict accordance with the rules of hygiene.

To streamline the process, become more competitive, and offset the aging of the workforce, agrifood companies are investing in industrial robots. They use them for operations such as filling, distributing, cutting, labelling, sorting, packaging, and pallet loading. These operations must all comply with food safety standards to prevent the propagation of bacteria and enzymes.

“In reality, there’s much less risk of contamination with robots than with humans”, explains Arnaud Derrien, Major Food Industry Accounts Manager at Stäubli Robotics (France).

But not just any robot: the HE (Humid Environment) robot developed by Stäubli in 2007—years ahead of the rest of the industry. “This robot’s design puts us at the cutting-edge of innovation, adds Arnaud Derrien. Stäubli is the leading manufacturer of robots for handling exposed products.”

CONTAMINATION LIMITED TO THE STRICT MINIMUM

So how did the company become the leading partner not only of food companies but also the pharmaceutical and electrical industries?

Stäubli originally invented a robot with connectors and cables inside the base of the articulated arm. The company developed this technological expertise to adapt its robots to high humidity environments and those exposed to splatter.

Result: HE robots are designed with two things in mind. First, the arm’s exterior is designed in compliance with EHEDG recommendations on minimizing water retention to prevent bacteria such as salmonella and listeria from developing. Second, the connectors are integrated into the body of the robot so that all the equipment can be cleaned. The equipment is smooth (with rounded edges), water-tight, and open below to allow water to drain. “The pressurized arm eliminates the risk of contamination”, says Arnaud Derrien.

To make sure the robots can withstand frequent wash downs, the company worked with a manufacturer of detergents and sterilization products to make the outside surface of the arm chemically compatible with common cleaning products used in the industry.

PRECISION AND REPEATABILITY

Apart from being very easy to clean, Stäubli HE robots can handle loads of up to 150 kg and have excellent movement and trajectory control, providing high levels of precision and repeatability.

“Without our HE robots, it would be impossible to automate certain tasks involving fresh or exposed products in accordance with the most stringent hygiene requirements”, says Gérald Vogt, Deputy Director Stäubli Robotics. “They undergo intensive cleaning and sterilization processes that no other robot would be able to withstand over a long period. Thanks to these HE robots, we can open up a world of new opportunities in the food industry and make industrial processes much more productive. ”

For more information, please visit http://www.staubli.com.