Stainless Steel Gearboxes for Hygienic Delta Robots
WITTENSTEIN delivers IP69K-rated precision drives for open-frame designs in food and pharma automation.
Hygienic robots with an open structure at Codian
Codian Robotics was looking for a way to build its robots for the food industry in an open structure. Due to the applicable quality requirements, the custom-made robots must not only be hygienic and extremely accurate, but also resistant to cleaning products. It goes without saying that the robot components must also meet these requirements. After thorough market research, WITTENSTEIN proved to be the only supplier that could meet these requirements.
Open structure: antibacterial and easy to clean
Thanks to their open structure, Codian's pick-and-place robots are easy to clean and prevent dirt from accumulating in hollow spaces, for example. However, this open structure does require the use of special components, including food-safe lubricants. Ariane Buining: "These robots are cleaned with hot water under high pressure. Corrosive cleaning agents are often added to this. Robots with an open structure must therefore be made of special stainless materials, including the reduction gearboxes."
Our customers in the food and pharmaceutical industries were asking for a hygienic robot with a fully open frame. The advantage of this is that you can see all the components, including any dirt residues. Open robots are much easier to inspect and keep clean.
Our products in use at Codian
HDP+
Sterile, highly dynamic and outstanding positioning accuracy – the HDP+ meets the strict hygiene requirements of production and packaging facilities.
DP+
The DP+ planetary gearbox is designed especially for Delta robot applications. Several different versions are available for use in dry and spray areas.
Unique high-quality gearboxes
WITTENSTEIN supplies high-quality gearboxes specially developed for the movements made by the robots. The gearboxes are made entirely of stainless steel and have an IP69X protection rating. This enables hygienic and sterile automation of the production process. This is unique, as WITTENSTEIN is the only manufacturer of such high-quality gearboxes. The constant movement that the robots make is also crucial for their service life. They are used on production lines that process products with high precision. Thanks to the gearboxes, the robots' pick-and-place movements remain just as accurate after several years, even when the robots are in continuous operation.