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Robotic tray loading for primary product handling

Products vary. Trays change.
Talon TL keeps placement consistent.

A vision-guided robotic loader that places product into foam, rigid plastic, or fiberboard trays at your target line rate — for vacuum-sealed, MAP, and vacuum skin pack (VSP) applications, fresh or IQF. Recipe-based changeovers switch formats in minutes. Mechanical or VOB 2.0 (vacuum-on-board) tooling configured to your exact product, from chicken parts to dinner rolls.
See the Talon TL run your product See technical specs
Vision-Guided
Full washdown, IP69K
Recipe
Fast format changeover
IP69K-capable
Cleanable to washdown construction
24–36
Months typical ROI
Multiple PatentsAll in Food Packaging Automation
In-House ProgrammingControls, Vision & Robotics Expertise
Factory-Tested ReliabilityBacked by JLS Service & Support
World-Class ServiceDedicated Installation, Startup & Support
24–26 Week Delivery WindowFor Standardized Platforms
JLS Talon watercolor bird illustration

The JLS Talon TL is a vision-guided robotic tray loader that places food products — meat, poultry, bakery, produce, cheese, and prepared foods — into foam, corrugated, MAP, and HMR trays at your target line rate. Mechanical or VOB 2.0 vacuum-on-board tooling is configured per product; recipe-based changeovers switch tray formats in under 5 minutes. IP69K-capable construction available. Engineered, programmed, and supported entirely in-house by JLS.

JLS Talon hygienic vision-guided pick-and-place robot with feature callouts — hygienic IP69K delta, optional open-channel frame, intuitive HMI, food-safe conveyors, and gentle-handling end-of-arm tooling

In action

Watch it acquire, pick, and place — at full production speed

JLS Talon TL — hygienic tray loading (fresh poultry) Talon TL

JLS Talon TL — hygienic tray loading (fresh poultry)

See the JLS Talon platform’s vision-guided delta robots locate, pick, and place food product at full production speed.

Why Talon TL

Built to load every tray — consistently.

Loading product into trays by hand is fast, repetitive work that's increasingly difficult to staff. When loaders tire or fall behind, fill weights drift, presentation suffers, and rejects climb — right at the food-safety touchpoint. The Talon TL was built specifically to close that gap — synchronizing vision-guided robotic picking, product-specific tooling, and recipe-based format control so tray loading lines run consistently every shift.

Random product in. Accurate tray placement out. Every Talon TL is configured around your product, your tray format, your pack pattern, and your target rate — so the most repetitive job on the line becomes one of the most predictable.

Applications & Package Types

The Talon TL — robotic tray loading

A vision-guided robotic system that automates your tray loading — 24/7 — placing product into foam, corrugated, MAP, and HMR trays with consistent accuracy. The Talon TL picks product in random orientation off the infeed and loads it into each tray cavity, single layer or shingled, in the pattern your pack calls for. Mechanical or VOB 2.0 tooling is configured to your exact product, and recipe-based changeovers switch formats in minutes. Easy to operate.

Industries Served

BakeryCupcakes, muffins, cookies, cakes
Meat & PoultryPortions, patties, fillets
Cheese & DairyWedges, rounds, portions
Snack Bars & SticksBars, sticks, combos VOB
ConfectionBars, enrobed products
IQF / FrozenFinger foods, entrees

Compatible Tray Formats

Foam TraysLightweight foam
Rigid Plastic TraysPET / rPET
Corrugated TraysCorrugated board
MAP TraysModified atmosphere
HMR TraysHot meal / prepared
Chipboard TraysPaperboard / pulp
Retail-ReadyDisplay-ready formats

The Talon Line

Talon TLYou’re here
Talon FWFlow wrapper loading
Talon TFThermoformer & VSP
Talon SASandwich assembly
Talon RDRaw dough

The Challenge

The gap most food lines share — 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 work, every shift — capping throughput and adding food-safety risk.

The repetitive manual work at this step is increasingly difficult to staff, and consistency slips across shifts. When people fall behind, the line slows, rework climbs, and hand contact adds a food-safety exposure. Add high annual turnover, rising ergonomic claims, and a shrinking labor pool, and the cost of doing it by hand keeps climbing.

Chronic
Turnover in manual packing roles
24–36 mo
Typical full-payback window
Line rate
Throughput manual handling 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 — robots, tooling, vision, and controls engineered and programmed in-house. We prove it on your actual product in our York, PA Flight Lab before final design, so the line runs at rate, holds consistent placement every cycle, and stands up to daily washdown.

24–36 mo
Typical ROI timeline
Minutes
Recipe-driven changeover
In-house
Controls & software, by JLS

Test before you commit

See the Talon TL load your
trays before you commit.

Send us your product and your tray. We'll run it on a live Talon TL in York, PA — placed into your exact tray format and pack pattern, with the tooling configured for it — before any capital commitment.

Live
Robotic test with real product
U.S. Built
U.S. built automation
No
Commitment required
Test your product in the Flight Lab

Core Technology

The Engineering Behind the Precision

Every component of the Talon TL was designed, built, and programmed under one roof — from sanitary frame engineering to JLS-engineered VOB tooling to easy-to-operate controls and software. Backed by multiple patents, these are the innovations that make the Talon TL one of the most capable tray loading systems in the food industry.

Stainless steel construction icon
IP69K*-Capable Components

Cleanable to Washdown Construction

Round-tube stainless frame (open-channel available as an option), sloped surfaces, open cable channels, and NEMA 4X controls — offered in cleanable construction for bakery and dry environments, and full sanitary washdown construction for wet protein. Built for the food zone from day one. Not retrofitted.

IP69K*-Capable Minimal Harborage NEMA 4X
Vision-guided accuracy
Track · Acquire · Place at Full Speed

Vision-Guided Delta Robotics

2D + 3D vision tracks product position and orientation on the infeed in real time — directing delta robots to pick random-orientation product and place it accurately into each tray cavity, your target line rate with no manual alignment.

Per application 2D + 3D Vision Real-Time Tracking
VOB vacuum tooling icon
Mechanical · Vacuum · Gang-Pick

Flexible Tooling — Mechanical or VOB 2.0

Single-pick or gang-pick mechanical tooling handles baked goods; JLS-engineered VOB 2.0 vacuum-on-board tooling handles wet, cold, or irregular product — cutting compressed air use by 50%+ versus conventional vacuum systems. Needle tooling available. Every tool is configured and lab-tested for your exact product.

Mechanical or Vacuum 50%+ Air Savings Multiple Patents
Tool-less changeover — under 5 minutes
Built Into VOB 2.0

Tool-less Changeover — Under 5 Min

Select the new recipe on the HMI, swap the end-of-arm tooling by hand, and run. Every SKU your plant produces is pre-loaded before the system ships — no wrenches, no programming, no maintenance call.

<5 Min SKU Swap Pre-loaded Recipes
Multi-cell, multi-head modularity
3–4 Heads · 2–6 Cells

Multi-Cell, Multi-Head Modularity

Add capacity to match your line — single, dual, or three-head configurations reaching your target line rate. Add heads as your line speed grows without changing the platform or the controls.

Per application Scales With Your Line
In-house programming and HMI icon
York, PA · Designed & Programmed In-House

Operator HMI & In-House Software

Touchscreen interface designed for plant-floor operators — select a recipe and run, no engineer required. Software is written and owned entirely by JLS, so new recipes and remote support come directly from the team that built your system.

No 3rd-Party Software ERP/MES Ready

Options & Add-Ons

More ways to fit your line.

Product stacking, grouping and shingling

Stacking, grouping & shingling

Before the tray sealer, the Talon TL builds the exact pack presentation your format calls for — placing single layers, grouping multiple pieces, or shingling product into overlapping patterns. Vision-guided placement keeps the fill consistent tray after tray, so what reaches the sealer is already arranged the way it ships.

Patterns are part of the product recipe — switching counts or arrangements happens on the HMI alongside changeover, with no mechanical re-tooling.

Stacked
Multi-count
presentation
Shingled
Overlapping
pack patterns
Recipe
Pattern changes
on the HMI
Cardboard insert and tray feeding
Cardboard Insert & Tray Feeding
An optional denester feeds trays into the loading zone automatically — so the Talon TL loads product into a ready tray in one continuous flow without manual tray placement.
Integrated sanitary infeed
Integrated Sanitary Infeed
JLS coordinates sanitary infeed conveyors that present product cleanly and consistently to the robots — the steady, even supply vision-guided picking depends on.
IP69K washdown upgrade icon
IP69K* Washdown Upgrade
Add washdown-capable construction with IP69K*-rated components for wet protein environments — specified per application.
Configure Your System
Need Something Specific?
Every Talon TL is configured to your product, tray format, and facility. Talk to a JLS application engineer about your exact requirements.
Talk to an Engineer →

Application Engineering & Integration

Configured for your product. Scalable across your line.

Every Talon TL ships from the same proven full-washdown platform — configured to your product, tray format, and downstream sealer, managing both product flow and tray flow. One team, one facility, one integration.

UPSTREAM Slicer / former TALON TL PRIMARY TRAY LOADING FULL WASHDOWN PER APPLICATION DOWNSTREAM Thermoformer / tray sealer OUTPUT Case packing
JLS + Reiser: Expertise across the line

Planning more than just tray loading?

JLS and Reiser (a leading food processing and packaging equipment company) help deliver complete lines — from product preparation and primary loading through tray loading, case packing, and load securement — engineered as one coordinated solution.

Full food production line — JLS + Reiser: expertise across the line Ten production-line stages across four zones. JLS-built robotic automation stages are shown in purple; stages available through Reiser's OEM portfolio in blue; customer-selected or partner equipment in gray. Dashed lines mark coordinated integration points. Prepare. Portion. Form. Load. Seal. Case. Carton. Collate. Stack. Secure. 01Mixing &blendingGrindingEmulsifyingMarinatingTumblingAvailable throughReiser portfolio 02Forming &portioningStuffingExtrudingPatty formingDepositingAvailable throughReiser portfolio 03FurtherprocessingSlicingDicingShreddingTenderizingAvailable throughReiser portfolio 04PrimaryloadingPick & placeVision-guidedLane loadingProduct collationJLS TALON®JLS KESTREL™JLS Automation 05PrimarypackagingThermoformingTray sealingVacuum / MAPSkin packAvailable throughReiser portfolio 06CasepackingRobotic case loadingRobotic loadingWashdown configurationsHygienic optionsJLS OSPREY®HAWK™ · PATTY HAWK™Case erecting & sealing via partner equip.JLS Automation 07CartoningForm, load,close cartonsCompact footprintWashdown-capable designJLS PEREGRINE® ISPEREGRINE ISJLS Automation 08Collation /bundlingCount & stackBundle packMultipackPartner equipmentscope-dependent 09PalletizingLayer buildingRobotic palletizingSlip-sheet placeLayer padPartner equipmentscope-dependent 10LoadsecurementStretch wrapBandingCorner boardTop sheetPartner equipmentscope-dependent Tier 1 Primary Packaging The package that touches the product Tier 2 Secondary Packaging Cases, cartons, and multipacks for retail or distribution Tier 3 Tertiary Packaging Stretch wrap, ship-ready unit

Together, JLS and Reiser help food manufacturers develop coordinated processing and packaging lines—from product preparation and primary package loading and sealing through cartoning, case packing and load securement.

Illustrative line architecture. Stages, equipment suppliers and sequence vary by product and project scope. Not every food line uses every stage, and slicing, cooking, freezing, inspection and other processes may occur in different positions.

Scroll left and right to scan the full line. Open the printable line map →

JLS-built robotic automation Available through Reiser’s OEM portfolio Customer-selected / third-party equipment Coordinated integration point

Reiser role across the line

Food-processing expertise, application development, equipment selection, product testing, and sales & lifecycle support.

JLS role at robotic packaging stages

Robotic engineering, product & package handling, controls interfaces, and integration & FAT when included in project scope.

Let’s talk more about planning your full line.

Tell us who you are and a bit about your line. An automation expert will reach out — and we’ll bring the right people from JLS and Reiser to the conversation.

Your details
Facility location
Your line today
What you're planning
What solution(s) are you interested in?* Select all that apply.
Project timeline

By submitting, you agree that JLS Automation and Robert Reiser & Co. may contact you about your inquiry.

The automation process is smooth, precise, and highly consistent, allowing our packaging lines to maintain production targets with greater reliability and less downtime.
Carlos O'Neill, Plant Manager Family Food Products · JLS Kestrel Collate & Load

Specs & Configuration

Talon TL technical specifications

Configuration snapshot

Talon TL is not one fixed machine — it scales by head configuration to match your target rate. Single, dual, and three-head configurations available.

Single head
Application-dependent*
Entry-level throughput for lower-rate applications.
Dual head
Application-dependent*
Mid-range throughput for most tray loading lines.
Three head
Application-dependent*
Highest-speed tray loading applications.

*Estimated rates vary by product, tooling, and configuration. JLS confirms the right configuration for your product and target rate during a line assessment.

Specification Value
Throughput Application-dependent — contact JLS*
Robot configuration Single, dual, or three-head delta
Robot type Delta-style 4-axis, IP69K-capable (Codian)
End-of-arm tooling Mechanical grippers or VOB 2.0 vacuum-on-board, configured per product
Tray formats Foam, corrugated, MAP, HMR, chipboard
Pack patterns Single layer or shingled (optional)
Vision system JLS EyeQ 2D/3D vision with EyeQ Traq conveyor tracking
Control system B&R Automation
Construction level Cleanable or full sanitary washdown construction
Sanitation rating IP69K-capable components; cleanable to washdown construction
Frame construction Round-tube stainless frame (standard); open-channel frame available as an option
Changeover Recipe-based; under 5 minutes, tool-less
Electrical supply 480V ±10%, 3-phase, 60Hz
Air supply 80 PSI, clean, dry, lube-free
Electrical enclosures NEMA 4X rated; UL/cUL listed
Uptime target Factory-tested reliability (application-dependent)
Lead time Confirmed at proposal

*Estimated rates vary by product, tooling, and configuration; needle tooling reduces estimated rates. Specifications may vary by configuration — contact JLS for your specific application.

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What solution(s) are you interested in?* Select all that apply.

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Compare

Talon TL vs. the field

Feature Manual loading Standard pick-and-place Talon TL
Throughput Limited by hand speed Varies; fixed cells Application-dependent*
Consistent fill & presentation Drifts at speed Varies by system Vision-guided every cycle
Variable product position/orientation Manual sorting Often needs fixed orientation Vision-guided, any orientation
Washdown rating N/A IP65–IP67 (partial) IP69K*-capable
Labor required 2–4 loaders/line 1–2 operators Eliminates manual loading positions
Changeover time N/A 15–30 min <5 min tool-less
Typical ROI N/A Varies by system 24–36 months
In-house programming N/A Varies by vendor In-house programming & support

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

Poultry Application Example · JLS Talon TL™ Tray Loading

Loading chicken into trays at line rate — in a high-washdown poultry plant.

A major poultry processor needed to automate loading of chicken parts into retail trays on a high-volume line. Manual loading had become inconsistent at speed and difficult to staff, and the task sat right at a daily-washdown food-safety touchpoint. The line needed a system that could keep pace with the tray sealer, handle several tray formats, and survive aggressive sanitation.

JLS engineered and installed a multi-head Talon TL tray loading system with tooling configured to the product. Vision-guided delta robots find product in random orientation off the infeed and place it into each tray with consistent accuracy. Operators run it from the HMI, and recipe-based changeover between tray formats happens in minutes.

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FAQ

Questions our engineers get asked most

Tray loading, throughput, tooling, sanitation, and ROI — answered by JLS application engineers.

Talon TL pricing depends on head count, tooling complexity, sanitation level, and integration scope — every system is configured to your product and line, so JLS confirms pricing during the proposal process rather than publishing a flat number. Most customers evaluate the investment against a 24–36 month payback range based on labor cost, shift schedule, and uptime improvement. Tell us your product and application and we'll scope it.

The Talon TL loads meat and poultry (chicken parts, patties, drumsticks), bakery (rolls, buns, dough balls), produce (apple slices, leafy), cheese, and prepared or frozen foods into foam, corrugated, MAP, HMR, and chipboard trays. End-of-arm tooling is configured to your exact product geometry, weight, and surface.

Throughput depends on product, tray format, and configuration. It scales with single-, dual-, or three-head configurations, and JLS confirms the right configuration and target rate for your product as part of a line assessment.

Yes. The Talon TL uses JLS EyeQ 2D/3D vision with EyeQ Traq conveyor tracking to locate each product's position and orientation in real time, so product can arrive in random orientation off the infeed and still be placed accurately into each tray cavity.

Both are available. Product is handled with mechanical grippers or VOB 2.0 vacuum-on-board tooling depending on the product. JLS engineers and tests the right tooling for your exact product in the Flight Lab before the system ships.

Changeover is recipe-based and takes under 5 minutes. Operators select the new product and tray recipe on the HMI and swap the end-of-arm tooling by hand — no wrenches, no programming, no maintenance call. Optional shingling and additional infeed layouts can be configured to your line.

Yes. Optional shingling places product in overlapping patterns for tighter pack densities and specific retail presentation. Pack patterns are part of the product recipe and change on the HMI alongside changeover.

The Talon TL is offered in cleanable construction and full sanitary washdown construction for raw-protein environments, with IP69K-capable components. An optional open-channel frame keeps surfaces visible and accessible, and tooling changes are tool-less, so sanitation is a fast tool swap rather than a teardown.

Yes. The Talon TL is designed to integrate with upstream denesters and downstream tray sealers and checkweighers; JLS handles the integration engineering and timing. It is designed, built, programmed, and tested at JLS Automation's facility in York, Pennsylvania, with remote diagnostics, on-site service, and direct access to the in-house engineering team that built it.

It depends on the current process, line speed, and shift schedule, but the Talon TL typically takes over repetitive manual positions for loading product into foam, MAP, and corrugated trays and runs them consistently across every shift. Beyond headcount, processors choose automation for consistency, ergonomics, food safety, uptime, and more predictable throughput when labor availability is tight.

Yes. Before any capital commitment, JLS runs your actual product on a Talon TL in our York, PA Flight Lab with tooling configured for it, and validates the application on your real product — validating tooling, pick method, and placement before final design and reducing project risk.

Often, yes. The Talon TL 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.

To scope a Talon TL 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.

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* Specific components of the Talon TL are IP69K full washdown rated. System-level ingress protection varies by configuration and construction level selected. Contact your JLS representative for full details on your application.

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