Soft Gripper Handling Freshly Steamed Buns: High-Temperature Flexible Automation Solution

How to Achieve Gentle Transfer from Steamer to Proofing Tray?

In food processing automation, handling freshly steamed products has always been a challenge. Unlike rigid industrial components, steamed buns are soft, easily deformed, and sensitive to gripping force. After leaving the steamer, the surface remains hot and humid, making traditional mechanical grippers difficult to apply without affecting product quality.In this application, a soft robotic gripper was used to automate the transfer of freshly steamed buns from the steaming process to the proofing tray. The system is designed to pick 8 buns in one cycle, arranged in a 4×2 layout with 20 mm spacing, and smoothly place them onto the tray while maintaining the original appearance of each product.The solution adopts a high-temperature resistant soft gripper, capable of operating in a temperature range of -40°C to 80°C. Compared with traditional rigid grippers, the flexible structure can adapt to the shape of the buns and distribute gripping force more evenly, avoiding excessive pressure that could cause deformation or surface damage.One of the key challenges in bun handling is protecting the folded top area. The wrinkles on the surface are delicate and easily affected by direct contact. To solve this problem, the soft gripper uses a two-point gripping method, avoiding the fragile folded area and gripping the more stable side positions of the bun. This allows the robot to achieve secure handling while preserving the product’s appearance and structure.Another important design feature is the ventilation hole structure on the gripper surface. Freshly steamed buns release moisture after leaving the steamer. Traditional closed contact surfaces may trap steam between the gripper and the product, leading to excessive moisture accumulation and affecting subsequent processing. The ventilation design improves airflow, reduces moisture retention, and helps maintain better surface conditions during handling.Through the combination of flexible material, adaptive gripping, and optimized contact design, the soft robotic gripper provides a reliable automation solution for delicate food products. It enables stable multi-product handling while reducing the risk of deformation, damage, and production inconsistency.This application demonstrates the advantages of soft robotic technology in the food industry, especially for products that require gentle handling, precise positioning, and hygienic automation.