The Challenge
Maintaining Speed, Hygiene & Precision in Food-Grade Block Handling
Handling food-grade cheese at high speed presents both operational and sanitary challenges. The customer needed a solution that could:
- Process up to 150 cheese blocks per minute reliably
- Identify and reject defective blocks using in-line vision
- Rotate accepted blocks precisely without marking or damaging them
- Meet USDA, FDA, and WDA food safety regulations
MWES was selected to design a hygienic, high-throughput robotic system that safely handled delicate food products at commercial scale.
The Solution
Dual‑Robot Vision-Guided Rotation & Rejection Cell with Food-Safe Vacuum EOAT
MWES delivered a robust automation system featuring:
- Two FANUC M430iA/4FH robots using FDA-compatible vacuum cups
- iRVision 2D tracking camera to identify good vs. reject blocks in real time
- Conveyor buffers grouping 20‑30 blocks per robot to smooth workflow
- Precise 90° rotation and placement onto web-based packaging for accepted blocks
- Rejected blocks diverted into a separate bin via conveyor system
This cell enables high-speed, food-safe handling by automating inspection, orientation, and rejection—with no product marking and minimal operator touch.
The Results
150 ppm Throughput, Flexible SKU Handling & Clean, Repeatable Operation
The automated cell delivered significant improvements in speed, flexibility, and sanitation:
- Sustained 150 cheese blocks per minute throughput
- Configured to handle 30+ block dimensions, with new sizes added via HMI
- Fully compliant with USDA, FDA, and WDA food safety standards
- Eliminated manual sorting and handling of sensitive food product
By integrating rapid vision inspection, precision robotics, and hygienic handling, MWES provided a scalable, quality-driven solution that reduced labor, improved safety, and maximized packaging throughput.
