Sushi Machine

This is the first robot for molding sushi rice, and was developed by Suzumo Machinery Co., Ltd. in 1981. This robot would stir rice loaded into a hopper and divide it into fixed quantities in a subsequent process. Then, it would drop the rice on an intermittently operating belt conveyor, which would then perform two-step compression-molding in the left-right and up-down directions so as not to damage the rice, continuously producing rice balls of proper solidity. This technology also contributed to the spread of rotary sushi and may be considered an example of skillful machine application.