Yaskawa Europe has introduced a new series of hygienic handling robots designed for high standards of cleanliness in the food industry and life sciences. The first two models in this HD (Hygienic Design) series, the HD7 and HD8, offer payload capacities of 7 kg and 8 kg, respectively. Engineered and produced in Europe with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, these robots aim to meet strict hygiene requirements for applications in sectors such as food production, laboratory automation, and pharmaceuticals.
The HD robots incorporate features that support hygienic standards essential in handling tasks involving food and sensitive life sciences materials. With surfaces that resist mechanical and chemical wear from industry-standard cleaning agents, the robots are designed without gaps, screws, or recesses, which minimizes contamination risks by reducing particle adhesion. These models meet the IP69K protection class and feature a particularly smooth surface (roughness < 0.8 Ra), further reducing the adherence of microorganisms. Additionally, their internal cabling system, where cables are routed within the robot arm and base, prevents potential contaminants from accumulating externally. They also meet stringent particle emission standards (ISO class 5 for the HD7 and ISO class 4 for the HD8) and utilize food-grade grease (FGG).
Produced at Yaskawa’s facility in Kočevje, Slovenia, the HD series benefits from efficient manufacturing that enables competitive pricing and short delivery times. This production efficiency is bolstered by a close collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute and engagement with customers to ensure the robots meet hygiene-sensitive application needs. The HD7 model has already been recognized with the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024, highlighting its design quality.
In the Benelux region, Yaskawa’s HD robots have been implemented by machine builder Van Wees Waalwijk, which has developed a food-handling machine featuring the HD7 robots. The system, designed for a salad production line, integrates vision technology that enables precise placement of raw food items like pepper pieces and salad dressing packets. The machine’s mobile design allows it to be easily positioned on a production line and requires only a power and compressed air connection to operate. Its turntable system also accommodates multiple crates of ingredients, allowing continuous operation without production line downtime.
This deployment is a collaborative effort with Alpha Robotica, Fizyr, and Van Wees Waalwijk and is set for market availability in February 2025. Additionally, the project receives support from the National Growth Fund program NXTGEN HIGHTECH, contributing to advancements in high-tech solutions across industries.
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