Explanatory video: Articulated arm manipulator for dairy plants: Hygienic handling of block molds up to 90 kg

In the dairy industry, every detail counts – not only in terms of product quality, but also with regard to occupational safety, ergonomics, and hygiene. Repetitive lifting and stacking of heavy block molds is part of everyday life in many production facilities and represents a considerable physical strain for employees. At the same time, the handling solutions used must meet the strictest hygiene requirements. We have developed an articulated arm manipulator for dairy plants precisely for this challenge, combining ergonomic operation with consistent hygienic design.

The starting point in dairy production

In modern production lines, molds containing cheese, quark, or other delicate products must be handled, rotated, and stacked with precision. The requirements are demanding:

• Weight of the block molds: approx. 85 to 90 kg

• Dimensions: 1,100 × 570 × 100 mm

• Stacking height: up to 1.80 m

• Side view of the mold, without damage

• Fully food-safe, washable surfaces

Manual lifting in this weight and frequency class is neither ergonomically sound nor economically viable in the long run. Illness-related absences, risk of injury, and long-term musculoskeletal problems are the inevitable consequences.

The solution: Articulated arm manipulator for dairy plants

Our articulated arm manipulator for dairy plants relieves the operator of the entire load and enables virtually weightless handling of the block molds. A pneumatic load compensation system allows the workpiece to "float" in any desired position – lifting, rotating, swiveling, and stacking are performed with minimal effort and intuitive hand guidance.

The specially developed gripper securely picks up the block shapes from the side, ensuring reliable processing even of delicate geometries. Its reach and lifting stroke are designed to effortlessly achieve stacking heights of up to 1.80 m – deliberately without electric travel, relying solely on ergonomic lifting assistance technology.

Hygienic Design: Conformity considered from the outset

Food-related applications require uncompromising design in accordance with applicable standards. Our articulated arm manipulator for dairy plants meets these requirements:

• DIN EN 1672-2 – Food processing machinery, hygiene requirements

• DIN EN ISO 14159 – Hygiene requirements for machine design

• Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 including the HACCP concept

• Hygienic design principles : closed profiles, smooth surfaces, washable, without dirt traps or dead spaces.

Material selection, weld design, gap dimensions and surface roughness are designed to ensure that cleaning and CIP processes can be carried out reliably and efficiently – a key factor for the auditability of the entire production line.

Advantages at a glance

✅ Noticeable ergonomic relief for employees

✅ Reduction of illness-related absences and injury risks

✅ Safe stacking of block shapes up to 1.80 m high

✅ Full hygienic design and HACCP compliance

✅ Pneumatic lifting aid principle – without electrical travel paths

✅ Seamless integration into existing production processes

For which industries is the articulated arm manipulator of interest?

What was developed for dairy plants is also suitable for many other hygienically sensitive areas of the food and process industries :

• Cheese dairies and creameries

• Meat and sausage production

• Bakery and convenience food production

• Pharmaceutical and cosmetics production

• Packaging and stacking processes with hygienic requirements

Your next step

Are you looking for a customized lifting aid for your production facility with hygienically sensitive requirements? We will work with you to develop the right solution – from the concept phase through standards-compliant design to commissioning.

Contact us – we'll take the weight off your shoulders.

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