Soft Gripper Solution for High-Speed Automated Shumai Handling
Shumai (Siu Mai) is a popular steamed dumpling widely produced in the food industry. In this project, the customer needed to automate the placement of shumai with a diameter of approximately Φ30 mm. Previously, the process relied entirely on manual placement, which limited production efficiency and increased labor costs.To improve productivity, the customer planned to replace manual operations with a robotic handling system. However, the unique characteristics of shumai created several automation challenges.
Pain Points in Traditional Gripping Methods
1. Exposed Filling Is Easily Deformed
Unlike fully wrapped dumplings, shumai features an exposed filling on the top. The filling contains ingredients with a certain level of stickiness and softness.The customer was concerned that conventional rigid grippers might apply excessive pressure during gripping, causing the filling to be squeezed out or deforming the product appearance.
2. High-Speed Production Requirement
The production line required a handling rate of up to 80 picks per minute.At such high operating speeds, unstable gripping could result in dropped products, production interruptions, or inconsistent placement accuracy. The customer needed a solution that could maintain reliable gripping performance while meeting demanding cycle times.
Why Choose a Soft Gripper?
To address these challenges, a soft robotic gripper was selected for the application.
Gentle Contact with Food Products
The flexible gripping fingers naturally adapt to the outer contour of the shumai, distributing gripping force more evenly than traditional rigid grippers.This minimizes localized pressure on the exposed filling and helps maintain product integrity throughout the handling process.
Secure Grip Without Damaging the Product
The soft gripping structure provides sufficient holding force while avoiding excessive compression. Even when handling products with sticky or delicate surfaces, the gripper can achieve stable and repeatable gripping performance.
Reliable Operation at High Speeds
Through optimized gripping force control and lightweight gripper design, the system successfully meets the customer's requirement of 80 picks per minute.During high-speed operation, the shumai remains securely held, significantly reducing the risk of product drops and improving overall production stability.
By replacing manual placement with a robotic system equipped with a soft gripper, the customer achieved:
- Stable handling of Φ30 mm shumai
- Protection of exposed fillings from deformation
- Reduced risk of dropped products during high-speed operation
- Increased production efficiency
- Lower labor dependency and operating costs
- Consistent product placement quality
Food products such as shumai present unique challenges due to their soft texture, exposed fillings, and strict hygiene requirements. Traditional gripping solutions often struggle to balance gentle handling with production efficiency.Soft robotic grippers provide an effective alternative by combining adaptability, gentle contact, and reliable gripping performance. For high-speed food automation applications, they offer a practical solution for improving productivity while maintaining product quality.If your production line involves delicate foods such as dumplings, shumai, pastries, confectionery, or other deformable products, a soft gripper may be the key to achieving stable and efficient automation.