CupGreifer

CupGreifer is a family of robotic end-effectors designed to grip disposable cups in automated systems. They are used in beverage service lines, packaging operations, and related workflows to pick up, move, and place cups with minimal operator intervention. CupGreifers emphasize gentle handling of thin-walled cups to prevent deformation and spillage while maintaining high throughputs.

Design and operation

CupGreifers typically combine soft-contact elements with suction or gripping mechanisms. Common implementations use soft silicone fingers or compliant jaws arranged around the cup, sometimes paired with vacuum cups or a pneumatic clamping system. Grasp force is adjustable to accommodate a range of cup materials and wall thickness. Many models include sensors for cup presence, orientation, and grip force, and are integrated with a robot controller or PLC to coordinate pick-and-place sequences. Some designs employ vision or color sensors to verify cup alignment before release.

Variants and features

Variants include Mini models for small cups, Pro models for high-speed lines, and Eco variants that prioritize energy efficiency and simplified maintenance. Features may include anti-crack or soft-release mechanisms to reduce rim damage, easy-clean surfaces for food-contact environments, and compatibility with standard cup sizes within specified tolerances. Interchangeable finger configurations allow adaptation to different cup geometries, from tall paper cups to wider plastic variants.

Applications and scope

CupGreifers are employed on coffee kiosks, automated vending, fast-food beverage stations, and packaging or sorting lines where cups must be reliably transferred between feeders, conveyors, and dispensers. They are chosen for fast cycle times, low cup damage, and straightforward integration with existing automation.

See also

End effector, robotic gripper, vacuum gripper, soft robotics, food-contact materials.