Automated chub loading and robotic case packing

Name: Osprey CL
Brand: JLS Automation

Chubs roll. Cases don't wait.
Osprey CL keeps both under control.

The V-TRACK pick conveyor prevents rolling so vision-guided robots pick and place chubs into corrugated cases with consistent orientation. VOB vacuum tooling configured to your exact chub diameter. Cleanable construction. Built for continuous, high-throughput chub loading.

Talk to an Automation Expert See the Osprey CL run your product See technical specs ↓

Up to 240

Chubs/min — configuration dependent

8 oz–10 lb

Chub weight range

NEMA 4X

Rated control enclosures

24–36 mo

Payback range commonly evaluated — depends on your line

Multiple PatentsAll in Food Packaging Automation

In-House ProgrammingControls, Vision & Robotics Expertise

Factory-Tested ReliabilityBacked by JLS Service & Support

Installation & SupportDedicated Installation, Startup & Support Team

Delivery Timeline at ProposalTarget delivery scoped to your project

The JLS Osprey CL is a vision-guided robotic system that automatically loads chub-format products — ground meat, sausage logs, and pet food chubs — into corrugated cases. The V-TRACK pick conveyor prevents rolling; VOB vacuum tooling is configured to your exact chub diameter. Up to 240 chubs/min, depending on chub size, weight, pack pattern, and system configuration. Cleanable construction. Engineered, assembled, programmed, and supported by JLS in York, PA.

JLS Osprey robotic case packer with feature callouts — cleanable-construction vision-guided high-payload deltas, optional open-channel frame, intuitive HMI, dynamic case management, and multiple robots for increased production

In action

Watch chubs get loaded at full production speed.

Live Production Line

Osprey CL — automatic chub loading

The Osprey CL loading chubs into cases with high-payload delta robots and V-Track infeed.

Why Osprey CL

Built to keep up with your grinder.

Your grinder never stops. Manual chub packing tops out around 30–40 chubs/min per worker — and that gap compounds every shift. The Osprey CL was built specifically for that moment: V-TRACK pick conveyor stabilizes rolling chubs, vision-guided delta robots acquire and place, and the line runs at grinder speed without manual touchpoints.

Rolling product in. Accurate cases out. Every Osprey CL is configured around your chub format, your case pattern, and your target rate — so the most labor-intensive step on the line becomes one of the most reliable.

Applications & Chub Formats

Osprey CL — automatic chub loading.

A vision-guided robotic case loading system for cylindrical and chub-format products — ground meat, sausage, and pet food chubs. The Osprey CL uses VOB vacuum tooling matched to your exact product diameter and end-type to load chubs into RSC, HSC, or retail-ready cases at up to 240 chubs/min, depending on chub size, weight, pack pattern, and system configuration. V-TRACK pick conveyor prevents rolling-product problems. Cleanable stainless steel construction with NEMA 4X-rated control enclosures. Single Head, Dual Head, or Tri Head configurations.

Industries served

Ground meat processingBeef, pork, turkey chubs

Sausage & cured meatsSausage & liver sausage chubs

Cheese & dairyCheese spread chubs

Pet foodWet food chubs, rolls

Prepared foodsChili, polenta & meatloaf chubs

Other formatsTalk to our engineers

Compatible chub formats

1 lb & 3 lb ground beef chubsStandard retail

5 lb & 10 lb mega chubsClub & foodservice

Sausage chubs8 oz – 2 lb

Pet food chubsWithin the standard diameter range

2″–4.5″ diameter rangeStandard VOB tooling

Clipped & crimped endsClear or printed film

The Osprey family

Osprey TLTray loading

Osprey CLYou’re here

Osprey BPBag & pouch packing

Explore the full Osprey line →

The Challenge

A common end-of-line gap —
and the system built to close it.

✕The Problem

Manual handling at this station is hard to staff — and harder to keep consistent

The same repetitive lifting and placing, every shift — capping throughput and consistency.

Manual case packing is repetitive, physically demanding work that is increasingly difficult to staff, and consistency slips across shifts. When packers fall behind, finished packages back up, case counts and patterns vary, and the line slows. Add turnover, ergonomic strain, and a shrinking labor pool, and the cost of packing by hand keeps climbing.

Chronic

Turnover in manual packing roles

Every shift

Repetitive lifting and placing

Line rate

Throughput manual packing can't sustain

✓The Solution

Engineered robotic automation configured to your exact product

JLS engineers, tests, and installs the system — proven before it ships.

JLS designs the system around your product, package, and line — tooling, vision, and controls engineered and programmed in-house around commercially available robots. JLS Flight Lab tests your product, or a close proxy, subject to scope and availability, so feasibility is established before final design; rate and performance are validated during FAT, with construction matched to your sanitation program.

FAT

Validated in factory testing before shipment

Recipe-driven

Changeover, application-dependent

In-house

Controls programming by JLS

Application Engineering & Integration

Configured for your product.
Scalable across your line.

Every Osprey CL ships from the same proven delta platform — configured to your chub size, count, and case format, with the V-TRACK conveyor presenting product cleanly to the vision-guided robot. One team, one facility, one integration.

Test before you commit

See your chubs run
before you commit.

JLS Flight Lab puts your chub application on real JLS robotics in York, PA. Send product samples — or a close proxy, subject to project scope and availability — and JLS application engineers test V-TRACK presentation, VOB tooling, and pack pattern for your chub diameter, weight, and film type, so feasibility is established before the design is finalized. Rate and performance are validated during FAT on your system, with final confirmation at commissioning where upstream conditions can’t be simulated.

Feasibility

Tooling & pick method tested

U.S. Built

U.S. built automation

Pre-sale

Application testing, subject to availability

Test your chubs in the Flight Lab

Core Technology

The engineering behind the precision.

Each Osprey CL system is engineered, assembled, and programmed under one roof in York, PA — from the V-TRACK pick conveyor to JLS-engineered VOB vacuum tooling to easy-to-operate controls programming, integrating commercially available robot and controls components. JLS holds multiple patents across its food-handling portfolio — and these are the innovations behind the Osprey CL: application engineering, configured tooling, and feasibility testing in JLS Flight Lab, with rate and performance validated during the project FAT.

NEMA 4X-rated control enclosures

Cleanable construction, higher-sanitation options

Round-tube stainless steel frame (open-channel available as an option), sloped surfaces, open cable channels, and NEMA 4X-rated control enclosures. Cleanable construction is standard, with higher-sanitation options engineered where the application requires them — designed in from the start, not retrofitted.

NEMA 4X enclosures Minimal Harborage NEMA 4X enclosures

Track · Acquire · Place at Full Speed

Vision-guided delta robotics

Application-matched 2D or 3D vision tracks each chub’s position — and orientation where the application needs it — on the V-TRACK infeed in real time — directing the delta robots to pick and load chubs into the case accurately at production speed, within the engineered presentation window.

Up to 240 chubs/min Application-Matched 2D or 3D Vision Real-Time Tracking

Mechanical · Vacuum · Gang-Pick

Flexible tooling — mechanical or VOB 2.0

JLS-engineered VOB 2.0 Vacuum On Board tooling is custom-configured to your chub diameter and end-type, and engineered to accommodate chub variation within the specified application. The VOB 2.0 airflow design was optimized using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) through a partnership with Penn State. Each tool is configured to your chub format, with feasibility testing in JLS Flight Lab where the project calls for it.

Mechanical or Vacuum CFD-Optimized Airflow Custom to Chub Diameter

Recipe-Driven · Application-Dependent

Recipe-driven changeover

Select the new recipe on the HMI and complete the application-specific changeover steps, which may include tooling, V-TRACK rail-width, or guide adjustments — with tool-free end-of-arm tooling change where the application allows. Every purchased, validated SKU is loaded before the system ships; changeover time depends on the application and which components change.

Recipe-Driven SKU Swap Validated Recipes Loaded

Configured to Your Product & Rate

Single Head, Dual Head, or Tri Head

Head count — Single Head, Dual Head, or Tri Head (three-head) — is selected during system design to match your chub format, pack pattern, and target rate, all on the same platform and controls. Up to 240 chubs/min, depending on chub size, weight, pack pattern, and system configuration.

Up to 240 chubs/min 1–3 Robot Heads

York, PA · Designed & Programmed In-House

Operator HMI & in-house controls programming

Touchscreen interface designed for plant-floor operators — normal production operation and recipe selection don’t require an engineer or robot-programming expertise, while trained maintenance staff handle troubleshooting and upkeep. JLS controls engineers program and integrate the system in York, PA, on the B&R controls platform with commercially available robots. After installation, JLS’s in-house support team has direct access to JLS engineering and programming expertise.

Programmed In-House by JLS ERP/MES Integration Available

Options & Add-Ons

More ways to fit your line.

Product stacking, grouping and shingling

Stacking, grouping & shingling

Before the case, the Osprey CL builds the exact load pattern your pack calls for — placing chubs in a single layer, double-stacked, or in a configured count per case. Vision-guided placement keeps the pattern consistent cycle after cycle, so every case ships with the right count and orientation.

Patterns are stored as part of the product recipe and selected on the HMI at changeover. Where a new pattern or chub size needs different tooling, JLS identifies and supplies it during system design.

Stacked

Multi-count
presentation

Shingled

Overlapping
pack patterns

Recipe

Pattern changes
on the HMI

Controlled Chub Infeed

An integrated infeed system delivers chubs to the V-TRACK conveyor in a controlled, non-rolling orientation — so the Osprey CL picks and places each chub accurately in one continuous flow.

Integrated Cleanable Infeed

JLS coordinates cleanable infeed conveyors that present product cleanly and consistently to the robots — the steady, even supply vision-guided picking depends on.

Higher-Sanitation Options

Where an application requires more than standard cleanable construction, JLS can engineer higher-sanitation options for wet protein environments — specified per application.

Configure Your System

Need Something Specific?

Every Osprey CL is configured to your chub diameter, case format, and facility. Talk to a JLS application engineer about your exact requirements.

Talk to an Engineer →

Upstream line integration

Integrates with your stuffer, clipper, and case sealer — day one.

Already have a stuffer and clipper in place? The Osprey CL is engineered to accept chubs from your existing upstream equipment — JLS coordinates the mechanical interface, controls communication, and timing so the V-TRACK infeed, vision acquisition, and downstream case conveyor hand off cleanly.

Need the full downstream line? JLS can support a complete chub-to-case integration — infeed and robotic loading by JLS, with third-party case erecting and sealing specified and coordinated in — planned together from the start.

Talk to us about the Osprey CL

Specs & Configuration

Osprey CL technical specifications.

Configuration snapshot

Head count is selected during system design to match your chub format, pack pattern, and target rate — 1, 2, or 3 heads on a compact footprint.

Single Head

~7 ft × 7 ft footprint*

Lower-volume lines and compact footprint installations.

Dual Head

~11 ft × 7 ft footprint*

Mid-volume ground meat and sausage lines.

Tri Head

~15 ft × 7 ft footprint*

High-volume chub loading matched to grinder output.

*Approximate footprint, excluding tunnel guards. Throughput is up to 240 chubs/min, depending on chub size, weight, pack pattern, and system configuration. JLS confirms the right configuration for your product and target rate during a line assessment.

Specification	Value
Estimated Throughput	Up to 240 chubs/min, depending on chub size, weight, pack pattern, and system configuration*
Robot heads	1, 2, or 3 heads
Robot Type	Delta-style 4-axis (Codian)
End-of-arm tooling	VOB Vacuum on Board, custom-configured to chub diameter and end-type
Chub weight range	8 oz – 10 lb (contact JLS for larger formats)
Chub diameter range	2″–4.5″ standard VOB tooling
Vision system	2D product acquisition, EyeQ conveyor tracking
Control System	B&R Automation
Construction	Cleanable stainless construction; NEMA 4X-rated control enclosures
Sanitation	NEMA 4X-rated control enclosures; cleanable washdown construction
Frame construction	Round-tube stainless steel frame (standard); open-channel frame available as an option
Approximate footprint (excl. tunnel guards)	~7 ft × 7 ft (Single Head); ~11 ft × 7 ft (Dual Head); ~15 ft × 7 ft (Tri Head)*
Electrical Supply	480V ±10%, 3-phase, 60Hz
Air Supply	80 PSI, clean, dry, lube-free
Electrical Enclosures	NEMA 4X rated; UL/cUL listed
Reliability	Factory acceptance tested (FAT) before shipment; where upstream rates can’t be simulated at FAT, final rate validation is completed at commissioning
Lead Time	Target delivery established at proposal

*Throughput varies by chub size, case pattern, and product spacing. Specifications may vary by configuration — contact JLS for your specific application.

Compare

Osprey CL vs. manual chub loading.

Feature	Manual Loading	Osprey CL
Throughput	Limited by hand speed	Up to 240 chubs/min, depending on chub size, weight, pack pattern, and configuration*
Stabilizes rolling product	Rolling causes misses & jams	V-TRACK prevents chub rolling on the pick conveyor
Handles chub end-types	Manual by format	VOB tooling configured to your chub format
Labor Required	2–6 loaders/line	Automates repetitive chub loading

Based on typical chub loading installations. *Estimated rates vary by product, tooling, and configuration.

Ground Meat Application Example · JLS Osprey CL Chub Loading

Closing the gap between the grinder and the case sealer — completely.

A ground meat processor was running three hand-packing positions per shift to keep up with one grinder. Manual throughput topped out around 90 chubs/min on a good day — with turnover making consistency impossible and ergonomic claims climbing.

JLS engineered and installed a dual-head Osprey CL with V-TRACK infeed and VOB tooling configured to their 1 lb and 3 lb chub formats. The system matched grinder output from day one. Operators run it from the HMI with recipe-driven changeovers. Three positions were redeployed to higher-value work.

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FAQ

Osprey CL chub loading FAQs.

Common questions about chub formats, throughput, V-TRACK, tooling, sanitation, integration, testing, and ROI.

How much does an Osprey CL cost?+

Most JLS Osprey CL projects evaluate payback in the 24–36 month range, depending on labor cost, shift schedule, line speed, uptime improvement, and the specific application. Labor savings scale with the platform, line speed, and labor model. JLS reviews your product, package format, line speed, staffing model, and current production challenges to determine where an Osprey CL creates the strongest return.

What products can the Osprey CL handle?+

The Osprey CL handles cylindrical and chub-format products including ground beef chubs (1 lb, 3 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb), sausage logs, breakfast sausage sticks, pet food rolls, and cheese logs. VOB tooling is custom-configured to your exact product diameter and end-type (clipped, crimped, sealed). Standard diameter range: 2″–4.5″; contact JLS for larger formats.

How does the V-TRACK conveyor solve the chub rolling problem?+

The V-TRACK pick conveyor cradles each cylindrical chub in a V-shaped channel throughout the infeed zone. This prevents the rolling and misalignment that defeat flat conveyor-based automation. With each chub stabilized, the vision system can consistently locate and track it — giving the delta robot the precise position data it needs for a clean pick every cycle.

What throughput can I expect?+

Up to 240 chubs/min, depending on chub size, weight, pack pattern, and system configuration. Head count — 1, 2, or 3 robot heads — is selected during system design to match your target rate. Pre-sale testing in JLS Flight Lab establishes feasibility; rate and performance are validated during the project FAT, with final confirmation at commissioning where upstream conditions can’t be simulated.

How long does a changeover take?+

Changeover is recipe-driven and application-dependent. The operator selects the new recipe on the HMI touchscreen and adjusts the V-TRACK rail width by hand; depending on the SKU, the end-of-arm tooling may also change, with tool-free EOAT change available where the application allows. Purchased, validated SKU recipes are loaded before the system ships.

Is the Osprey CL designed for USDA/FSIS-inspected facilities?+

Yes. The Osprey CL is built with cleanable construction for meat and poultry facilities — stainless steel frame, open cable channels, sloped surfaces to minimize harborage points, and NEMA 4X-rated control enclosures (UL/cUL listed). Construction is matched to the plant’s sanitation program in USDA/FSIS and CFIA-inspected environments. For primary raw product contact that calls for hygienic design, see the Talon series.

What ROI can I expect?+

Osprey CL projects commonly evaluate payback in the 24–36 month range, depending on the line. The primary drivers are automating repetitive chub-loading tasks that have become increasingly difficult to staff, throughput consistency, and reduced ergonomic claims. JLS can walk through an ROI model with your specific labor cost and throughput data.

How does the Flight Lab work?+

JLS Flight Lab puts your chub application on real JLS robotics in York, PA. Send product samples — or a close proxy, subject to project scope and availability — and JLS application engineers test tooling, pick method, and pack pattern for your chub diameter, weight, film type, and end-type. That work establishes feasibility before the design is finalized; rate and performance are validated during the project FAT, with final confirmation at commissioning where upstream conditions can’t be simulated.

How much labor can the Osprey CL save?+

The Osprey CL automates repetitive chub-loading tasks that have become increasingly difficult to staff, and runs them consistently across every shift. Beyond headcount, processors choose automation for consistency, ergonomics, food safety, and more predictable throughput when labor availability is tight.

Can the Osprey CL be added to an existing line?+

Often, yes. The Osprey CL is frequently integrated into existing production and packaging lines. The final design depends on available floor space, line speed, product presentation, controls, sanitation access, and your upstream and downstream equipment. JLS reviews the full line so the system fits the way the plant already runs.

Is the Osprey CL washdown capable?+

The Osprey CL is built with cleanable construction for chub and ground-meat environments — stainless steel construction with NEMA 4X-rated control enclosures, matched to your plant’s sanitation program. Standard construction isn’t intended for high-pressure, high-temperature washdown; where the application requires higher sanitation, JLS can engineer the configuration to suit. Tell us your sanitation program and we’ll spec to it.

What information does JLS need to quote an Osprey CL system?+

To scope an Osprey CL system, JLS typically reviews your product type and dimensions, photos or video of the current line, package format, target speeds, SKU mix, labor model, sanitation requirements, available floor space, and the main production problem to solve. Clear application detail up front makes it easier to recommend the right configuration and estimate scope.

Still have a question that isn’t answered here?

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Have chubs you need loaded into cases?

Tell us about the chub, the case, and what you’re trying to improve. A few sentences is enough.

Prefer to talk? Call (717) 505-3800.

* Washdown protection is specified per application and configuration. Contact your JLS representative for full details on your application.

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Automated chub loading and robotic case packing

Watch chubs get loaded at full production speed.

Built to keep up with your grinder.

Osprey CL — automatic chub loading.

A common end-of-line gap —
and the system built to close it.

Manual handling at this station is hard to staff — and harder to keep consistent

Engineered robotic automation configured to your exact product

Configured for your product.
Scalable across your line.

See your chubs run
before you commit.

The engineering behind the precision.