Food and beverage companies are using food robots to better meet sanitation standards and production needs for primary packaging and processing. At the upstream production stage, food robots come in direct contact with the food - handling pastries, slicing and butchering meats, dispensing icing, packing cookies, and more.
Advancements in robotic vision, robot design, and EOAT have made it possible for robots to work this closely with food. Find out about the many benefits a food robot can offer for food and beverage companies.
Designing Robots for Upstream Food Production:
Upstream production processes require specially designed food robots. These robots must be built so as not to contaminate the food or harbor any bacteria. Some are made out of stainless steel, others have special coatings that can withstand aggressive wash downs.
When food robots are manufactured, every effort is made to make sure they will have as little impact on the food as possible -- even the grease used in these robotic arms is food grade.
Robots such as the FANUC M-430iA/2F (USDA approved), LR Mate 200iB/5WP and food-grade M-3iA are designed with special seals to keep out contaminates. Arms are smooth, eliminating bacteria build-up. The entire arm can be washed down. Most food grade robots are IP67 rated. EOAT that directly touches food often require much more stringent ratings of IP69.
Robots Improve Working Conditions
Applications in the food and beverage industry tend to be very labor intensive and sometimes dangerous. Workers are often required to perform repetitive tasks over and over again. Food production environments can be cold or hot -- depending on what type of food is being processed/packaged.
Because of these and other factors, the food industry often experiences labor shortages and high turnover. Unlike other industries, food production is not a process that can be off-shored. 
Robots offer a reliable, repeatable, and highly productive solution for the food and beverages industries. Food robots are capable of exact movements and quick, reliable cycle times. Ideally suited for pick and place, palletizing, packaging, cutting, etc., food robots never tire or face health risks. Robots can effectively reduce wasted product and eliminate lags in production. By working consistently whenever necessary without taking breaks, robots offer the food and beverage industry faster production.
Robots Create Healthier Food
Foodborne diseases are a serious threat. The Center for Disease Control reports that one in six American is impacted by food poisoning each year. Much of the food contamination occurs during food processing. Even with strict regulations, contamination from human workers is always a concern. Food grade robots offer a much more hygienic, sanitary alternative for food processing and primary packaging. Robots don't contract illnesses, or possess hair or nails that can potentially fall into and contaminate the food.
Robots Help Companies Comply, Save $$
The Food Safety Modernization Act 2011 went into effect in January. It gave the FDA the ability to recall products and lead inspections of production facilities. Such recalls and accompanying litigations can be very costly and time-consuming. It can also damage a company's reputation.
As food production regulations and health standards intensify, many companies in the food and beverage industries are turning to industrial food robots for consistently clean production. With robots handling many aspects of food production (especially upstream handling and processing) companies can conform to the new regulations.
For more information about robots for food and beverage production, contact RobotWorx at 740-251-4312.
