Hygienic handling robots for the life sciences industry

Yaskawa is expanding its solution offerings for hygiene-sensitive robot applications with a European new development and introduces the first two models of the Motoman HD series. (Source: Yaskawa Europe GmbH)

Yaskawa expands its solution offering for hygiene-sensitive robot applications with a European new development: The manufacturer now introduces the first two models of the Motoman HD series with 7 and 8 kg payload capacity. The new 6-axis high-performance robots were specifically designed for use in the life sciences in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation IPA.

In hygiene-relevant areas of laboratory automation, the pharmaceutical industry, or the food industry, robots of the new Motoman HD series (HD stands for "Hygienic Design") can perform a variety of handling tasks. They meet the high requirements placed on sterilization and cleanroom environments: In addition to suitability for use in hygienic areas up to the highest cleanroom class GMP Class A according to EHEDG, EN 1672-2, and ISO 14159, they also comply with the cleanroom class according to ISO 14644-1, cleanroom class 5 for HD7, and cleanroom class 4 for HD8, according to the measurement and evaluation procedures defined in ISO 14644-14.

Hygiene-compatible design

The prerequisite for this is a hygiene-compatible design, into which the expertise of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation IPA has also been incorporated. Currently, the Motoman HD7 has been awarded the "Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024" at one of the largest design competitions worldwide. The Red Dot label is internationally regarded as one of the most coveted quality seals for good design.

On the one hand, the new development ensures that constructive details of the manipulator, such as a special axis seal and a rounded, dead-space-free design without external screws, gaps, or undercuts, facilitate cleaning. On the other hand, surfaces and materials are used that are mechanically and chemically resistant to substances and cleaners typically used in the life sciences, chemistry, or food industries.

The highest protection class IP69K and a particularly smooth surface (< 0.8 Ra surface roughness) reduce the adhesion of dirt particles and microorganisms. Additionally, cleaning is facilitated by the fact that the application cables and media lines (e.g., for compressed air) run inside the robot arm, and cable management can be done through the robot's foot. Other advantages include low particle emission (ISO class 5 for the HD7 model and ISO class 4 for the HD8 model) and the use of food-grade lubricating grease (Food Grade Grease, FGG).

High-performance laboratory robots for the European market

The new series starts with the models Motoman HD7 and HD8 with 7 and 8 kg payload capacity. They are manufactured at Yaskawa's Slovenian plant in Kočevje, where they were also developed. The Motoman HD series is based on the proven 6-axis high-performance robots of the Motoman GP portfolio.

Like the Motoman industrial robots, they utilize Yaskawa's latest Sigma-7 servo drive technology, achieving extremely high and precise movement and acceleration performance. The movement range of axis 1 is +/- 180°. The robots can be combined with the universally applicable robot controller YRC1000 or with the compact controller YRC1000micro. Both offer a variety of modern control, communication, safety, and software options.