Stäubli Robotics offers automation solutions for environments where hygiene matters

Stäubli looks forward to demonstrating its expertise in robotic applications for the food industry at ANUGA FoodTec 2022 (Hall 7, Stand C-041), 26th to 29th April, Cologne, Germany. The manufacturing group will be showcasing an Industry 4.0-compatible range of hygienic four-axis and six-axis robots capable of operating with process reliability in environments that require the handling of unwrapped food.

Thanks to its fully enclosed and hygienic design, the TX2-140 HE sets the benchmark in many sensitive applications.

There are few other industries in which the demands on automation are as rigorous as those in the food sector. The strict hygiene requirements and daily cleaning processes virtually rule out the use of standard robots here. Yet at the same time, robotics offers almost unlimited scope for making food processing ultra-flexible, reliable, environmentally friendly and effectively germ free.

Conscious of these criteria, Stäubli decided several years ago to address the special challenges of automating food processes by developing an assortment of cleanroom-compatible robots with a high degree of protection and near-watertight design to meet the industry-specific hygiene standards applicable to the handling of unwrapped foodstuffs.



The TX2-160 HE six-axis robot is specially adapted to production environments where high levels of humidity and spray are prevalent.

The complete Stäubli range: Hygienic, reliable, sustainable
The TS2 SCARA series, together with the models in its TX2 six-axis series, exemplify the modern concept of hygienic design: compact, enclosed housing with internal media and supply lines, and no external cable harness liable to interrupt the contours, generate errors or cause unnecessary particle emissions. A fully encapsulated robot arm with IP65 protection, special non-protruding screws throughout, optional concealment of connections under the robot base, and the systematic elimination of dead spaces makes these robots ideal for deployment in the food industry.



The TX2-90 HE has been developed for use in the food industry.

HE versions lubricated with food-grade oil
In addition, all Stäubli robots are available with NSF H1 class food-grade oil. All Stäubli robots with H1 option have the same performance as standard robotic arms.

To ensure that the robots can undergo the same Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) cleaning procedures as the other system components, Stäubli developed the Humid Environment (HE) robot series, modified specifically to withstand exposure to spray and splashes. The use of materials such as plastic or carbon fiber is avoided, and the casing has a specially treated, corrosion-resistant surface. Parts subject to high stress are made of stainless steel. The surface coating has a high-grade particle-repellent finish.



The HE version of the TS2-80 SCARA is capable of operating under extreme conditions.

Stäubli HE robots have established themselves as the benchmark for environments in which unwrapped food is handled. All four-axis and six-axis robots are now available in HE versions. These robots can even withstand frequent cleaning with aqueous media in the 2 - 12 pH range without sustaining damage. The complete Stäubli robot range thus meets the expectations of discerning users in the food industry all over the world. Whether for boning meat, cutting cheese, sorting chocolates or decorating baked goods, Stäubli robots epitomize process reliability, productivity and eco-friendliness.



A TX200L HE picks up a cheese wheel from a rack and transfers it to a conveyor belt for further processing.

Mobile robots and AGVs built to cleanroom specification
With its cleanroom-compatible automated guided vehicles (AGVs), Stäubli WFT has shown that the manufacturing group is also able to offer complete solutions, including the ultra-flexible linking of individual work stations. These AGVs have the capacity to revolutionize intralogistics in food production and make processes more autonomous, flexible and productive than ever before. Mobile robots and autonomous mini-stackers can also be readily integrated into digitally networked production environments.



A Stäubli TX2-60 robot picks up four film-wrapped units of strudel dough at a time and places them in a cardboard box.

It goes without saying that all Stäubli solutions are Industry 4.0 compatible and feature the full range of interfaces currently in use for digital connection to higher-level control systems.

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