Hygienic Smart Production Solutions for Food & Beverage
Serving food processing, baking, beverages, dairy, and fresh produce, we provide food-grade, washable, flexible-gripping end-effectors that meet FDA food-contact standards and HACCP hygiene requirements.
Challenges in Food & Beverage
Strict Hygiene Requirements
Food production requires easy-to-clean equipment with no harbors, washdown resistance, and in some cases food-grade material certification.
Fragile Products
Baked goods, fruit, and fresh produce are soft and easily damaged; traditional grippers cause deformation and breakage.
Wet, Humid Environments
Food processing often involves water washing and humid environments, requiring water- and moisture-resistant grippers.
High-Speed Packaging
Food packaging lines run fast, demanding fast-response, short-cycle end-effectors.
High-Mix Changeovers
Food production is high-mix, low-volume with frequent changeovers, requiring flexible, fast switching.
Temperature Variations
Some processes run at low (frozen) or high temperatures, demanding grippers with wide temperature tolerance.
Core Advantages of Jodell's Food & Beverage Solutions
Food-Grade Materials
Optional food-grade silicone and stainless steel fingers meet FDA food-contact standards for safe, hygienic handling.
IP67 Washable
IP67-rated for direct water rinsing and resistant to acid/alkaline cleaners, meeting food plant sanitation requirements.
Flexible Gripping
Precise force control plus soft rubber fingers make soft contact that does not damage bread, fruit, pastries, and other delicate foods.
High-Speed Packaging
0.3 s open/close time meets high-speed packaging line cycles, supporting over 120 picks per minute.
Fast Changeover
Programmable stroke and force plus quick-swap fingers cut changeover to under 5 minutes.
Wide-Temperature Operation
Operates from -10°C to 55°C, suiting chilled workshops and general processing environments.
Typical Application Processes
Bakery Products
Sorting and packaging of bread, cakes, and cookies with flexible gripping that does not deform products.
Fresh Produce
Sorting and tray packing of fruit and vegetables with soft contact that does not bruise skin.
Beverages in Bottles
Gripping and case packing of beverage bottles and cans, stable without slipping.
Food Case Packing
Automated case packing and palletizing of bagged and boxed foods.
Meat Processing
Portioning, handling, and packaging of meat and poultry products.
Frozen Foods
Low-temperature sorting and packaging of ice cream and frozen foods.
Recommended Products for Food & Beverage
RAG Series Adaptive Gripper
Flexible wrapping for delicate foods
EPG-L High-Grip-Force Gripper
High grip force for heavy case palletizing
EPG Series Electric Gripper
Standard packaging, bottle gripping
EVS Vacuum Actuator
Vacuum pickup for flat packaging
EPG-Flex Quick-Change Gripper
Quick-swap fingers for high-mix changeovers
ERG Rotary Gripper
Rotary placement for boxed arrangement
Value We Deliver
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the special requirements for grippers in the food industry?
Food-industry grippers have these key requirements: 1) Material safety: food-contact parts need food-grade materials (304/316 stainless steel, food-grade silicone, PP) meeting FDA or GB food-contact standards; 2) Easy cleaning: crevice-free smooth surfaces that can be washed or CIP-cleaned; 3) Protection rating: at least IP65, with washdown versions at IP67; 4) Corrosion resistance to acid/alkaline cleaners and sanitizers; 5) Retention: wear parts like fingers need anti-drop design to avoid foreign material entering food; 6) Flexibility: force control and soft fingers for delicate foods.
Can you handle soft foods like bread and cakes?
Yes. Jodell RAG Series Adaptive Grippers with food-grade silicone soft fingers gently handle bread, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods: 1) Adaptive wrapping distributes grip force evenly without crushing locally; 2) High force-control accuracy allows very low grip force for a light hold; 3) Soft, elastic silicone fingers do not damage surfaces; 4) Accurate placement arranges products neatly in packaging. Already deployed at multiple bakery manufacturers.
Can they be rinsed directly with water?
Jodell's dedicated food-industry grippers reach IP67 and can be rinsed directly with low-pressure water, resisting common food-grade acid/alkaline cleaners and sanitizers. Notes: 1) Do not use high-pressure jets directly at seams; 2) Dry or air-dry after rinsing; 3) Prolonged immersion is not recommended; 4) Protect electrical connectors. The standard IP65 version resists splash water but is not intended for direct rinsing.
Can they be used in frozen food workshops?
Yes. Jodell grippers operate from -10°C to 55°C, suitable for standard chilled workshops (0-10°C). For frozen environments below -18°C, select the low-temperature special version with low-temperature grease, cables, and seals, stable to -25°C. Please consult our engineers for low-temperature model selection.
Is food-grade certification required?
If the gripper directly contacts unpackaged food, food-contact material certification is required. Jodell offers: 1) Food-grade silicone fingers compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and GB 4806.11; 2) 304/316 stainless steel fingers compliant with GB 4806.9 metal food-contact standard; 3) PP/PE food-grade plastic fingers. If the gripper only touches outer packaging (cartons, plastic bags) and not the food itself, standard versions suffice without food-grade certification.
Get Your Dedicated Food & Beverage Solution
Jodell Robotics brings deep food & beverage automation experience and delivers customized smart end-effector solutions for your line.