Abstract: Mechanical processing has been a promising way to deal with the high labor intensity, low efficiency, and easy meat pollution of manual feeding in the processing of Procambarus clarkii. In this study, an automatic head and tail orientation device was designed, according to the body structure characteristics of Procambarus clarkii. Taking the cooked Procambarus clarkii as the research object, the characteristic parameters of body shape were firstly measured for latter use. The working principle of the orientation device was determined to realize continuous automatic feeding at the orientation of head and tail. Meanwhile, the key components were designed, including electromagnetic vibration mechanism, spiral tracking, and head and tail screening structure. Secondly, the three-dimensional structure and discrete element models of Procambarus clarkii and orientation device were established using SolidWorks and EDEM software, respectively. The properties of simulation materials were then calibrated. The working efficiency and the orientation accuracy of head and tail were determined as the optimization objectives of the orientation device. The main influencing factors were selected as the working amplitude, frequency, and the number of screening ports of the orientation device. The motion simulation of Procambarus clarkii was performed on the orientation device using EDEM software. A simulation test was carried out to clarify the influence of each factor. Meanwhile, an orthogonal test was conducted to analyze the influence of multiple factors. Thirdly, the primary and secondary orders affecting the working efficiency of Procambarus clarkii were ranked as the frequency, the number of screening ports, and amplitude. The primary and secondary orders affecting head and tail orientation accuracy were ranked as the number of screening ports, frequency, and amplitude. A mathematical model was established to describe the performance of the directional device. Subsequently, an optimal module was provided by the response surface method using the Design-Expert 11 software. An optimal parameter combination of influencing factors was achieved, where the amplitude, frequency, and the number of screening ports of the orientation device were 0.3 mm, 65.16 Hz and 2, respectively. In this case, the working efficiency and orientation accuracy of head and tail were 1.88 per second and 92.52%, respectively. Finally, the prototype of the orientation device was produced to verify using the optimal parameter combination of influencing factors. The real working efficiency and orientation accuracy of head and tail Procambarus clarkii were 1.71 per second and 90.25%, respectively. The relative errors of the working efficiency and the orientation accuracy of head and tail were 9.04% and 2.45%, respectively, compared with the simulation. The orientation device was evaluated for its feasibility and effectiveness. The findings can provide a technical reference for the automatic processing equipment of Procambarus clarkii.