Yaskawa has developed a new series of robots designed for use in hygiene-sensitive environments, such as the food industry, laboratory automation, and the pharmaceutical sector. The first models in this series, the HD7 and HD8, have been fully developed and manufactured in Europe, with payload capacities of 7 kg and 8 kg, respectively. The robots were designed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA.
The HD series (Hygienic Design) has been specifically developed to meet strict hygiene requirements. The design includes a special axis seal and rounded shapes without external screws, gaps, or recesses. Additionally, the surfaces and materials are resistant to mechanical and chemical influences from cleaning agents commonly used in the food industry and life sciences. This helps prevent paint particles or other contaminants from entering food products.
The robots feature IP69K protection and a surface roughness of less than 0.8 Ra, minimizing the adhesion of dirt particles and microorganisms. Application cables and media cables, such as those for compressed air, run inside the robot arm and are routed through the robot’s base. The robots also meet strict emission standards, with ISO Class 5 for the HD7 and ISO Class 4 for the HD8, and use food-grade grease (FGG).
The HD series is manufactured at Yaskawa’s factory in Kočevje, Slovenia, ensuring short delivery times. The HD7 recently won the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024, an internationally recognized award for product design excellence.
The first delivery in the Benelux has been made to special machine builder Van Wees Waalwijk. In collaboration with Alpha Robotica and Fizyr, Van Wees has developed a bin-pick food cell in which two HD7 robots, controlled by a vision system, pick up and position raw food products. The machine is being used by a meal salad producer to place raw bell pepper pieces and salad dressing packets into salad bowls. The vision system precisely determines the position and orientation of objects, while the hygienic design allows for the processing of both food products and pharmaceutical items.
The bin-pick food cell is designed as a mobile unit that can be easily integrated into a production line. All necessary components are built into the structure, and the machine can be operational immediately after being connected to power and compressed air. With a turntable and space for four ingredient crates, the production line can continue running during crate changes. The machine will be available from February 2025.
