Interview Stäubli Robotics
With Peter Pühringer, Managing Director
“Automation in cleanrooms”
Stäubli Robotics is considered a pioneer in the field of automation in cleanrooms. How did Stäubli come to focus on developing such products early on?
Back in the early nineties, Stäubli was still a niche supplier in the field of robotics. So, we focused on niche markets where robot deployment requirements were beyond the capabilities of standard robots. Our robots’ closed design and hollow shaft drive systems were basic prerequisites for their deployment in cleanrooms. That allowed us to set benchmarks in sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and semiconductors. A couple of years later we proceeded to developing our Stericlean robots, thus paving the way for robot-based automation in aseptic environments.
The number of manufacturers offering hygienically engineered robots is increasing steadily. What does that mean for Stäubli Robotics and what market prospects do you see for automation in sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals + medical, semiconductors, and photovoltaics?
Stäubli has long since become a volume supplier and the former niche markets have turned into genuine growth sectors. And the only reasonable expectation in these sectors over the coming years is strong growth. So, it is unsurprising that an ever-increasing number of manufacturers targets these markets. We are in the fortunate position to have a technological edge here—thanks to decades of experience with hygiene-sensitive areas. We are deeply familiar with the requirements of associated sectors and our robots are considered a benchmark for certain applications. The greatest challenge for Stäubli will be to assert our role as pioneers in the future.
What are the points users should consider when selecting suitable robots for hygiene-sensitive applications?
In general, only robots that perfectly match a given application should be selected. This is the only way to ensure economical operations. Let’s take food applications as an example: While a robot with standard lubrication is sufficient for secondary packaging, primary packaging applications require the use of food grade oil. Our portfolio includes special watertight designs for robots subjected to intensive washdown cleaning. And of course it is recommended to carefully consider the robot design in terms of hygiene requirements. Are there any dead spaces, what is the cable routing layout, how smooth are the surfaces, what materials are used—this is what separates the wheat from the chaff. The upcoming automatica is a great opportunity to compare available robots in this context.
The multitude of robots for cleanroom applications covers almost every requirement imaginable. In contrast, mobile solutions have been hard to find so far. What AGVs and other mobile solutions suitable for deployment in cleanrooms are available?
Cleanroom ATVs are indeed still rather exotic. But the market is growing. Whether semiconductor production, food, pharmaceutics, or medical technology—AGVs and mobile robots are going to revolutionize material transport in sensitive production environments. In expectation of this development, we at Stäubli WFT have set up production facilities for mobile solutions suitable for cleanroom environments at our Sulzbach-Rosenberg location. Building on the experience gained in the cleanroom robot business, these facilities produce AGVs for cleanrooms and hygienically engineered special purpose vehicles including small driverless forklift trucks and mobile robots such as our Sterimove. This is the world’s first mobile robot for the pharmaceutical industry. The cleanroom sector is generally expected to spawn numerous new developments, and of course not just by Stäubli.