Annular Cutting Head Flow Paths for Uniform Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slicing machines, such as the Urschel Model CC®, face challenges in producing uniform slices at high production capacities due to hydroplaning effects caused by lubricating fluids, especially when recycling water with high starch solids content, leading to instability and variability in slice thickness.
Innovation Solution
An annular-shaped cutting head with radially inward-facing knives and arcuate interior surfaces forming continuous flow paths to reduce the lubricant film thickness, aligned with the knife assemblies to maintain precise alignment and control slice thickness, and an impeller for delivering products radially outward toward the cutting head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lubricating fluid is used during slicing, then friction is reduced and slicing operation is facilitated, but hydroplaning occurs leading to product instability and slice thickness variability
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting head is divided into multiple discrete knife assemblies arranged circumferentially, each capable of independent adjustment. This segmentation allows precise control of each cutting position to compensate for hydroplaning effects and maintain uniform slice thickness despite the presence of lubricating fluid
Solution Approach 2:
The knife assemblies are made dynamically adjustable during operation, allowing the radial position of each knife to be modified based on operating conditions such as lubricant film thickness. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to varying hydroplaning conditions and maintain manufacturing precision
2Loss of substance
If water recycling is implemented, then water consumption is reduced, but starch solids content increases causing enhanced hydroplaning and slice variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor slice thickness and operating conditions, using this information to dynamically adjust knife positions and other parameters. This closed-loop control compensates for the degraded lubrication conditions caused by starch-rich recycled water, maintaining slice uniformity while enabling water recycling
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes operating parameters such as knife radial position, cutting speed, and potentially lubricant delivery rates based on the quality of recycled water (starch solids content). By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains slicing precision even when using water with high starch content
3Productivity
If high production capacity is achieved through high speed slicing, then productivity increases, but slice thickness control and product uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The knife assemblies are designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow real-time modification of cutting parameters during high-speed operation. This enables the system to maintain precise slice thickness control even at elevated production speeds by adapting to variations in product feed rate and lubricant conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning and alignment of knife assemblies before the actual high-speed slicing begins. This pre-positioning ensures that all cutting parameters are optimized for the specific operating conditions, allowing high productivity to be achieved without sacrificing slice thickness control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces slice variability by minimizing hydroplaning, ensuring uniform slice thickness and stability, even with recycled water containing starch solids, thereby enhancing the uniformity of products like potato chips.
Implementation Method 1
centrifugal forces cause the products to move outward into engagement with the knives of the cutting head
Implementation Method 2
hydroplaning effects caused by lubricating fluids
Implementation Method 3
supplying a lubricating fluid to the impeller
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for slicing products, including food products. Such an apparatus (10) has an annular-shaped cutting head (50,150) equipped with knife assemblies located at a circumference of the cutting head (50,150), and interior surfaces each located in a circumferential direction of the cutting head (50,150) relative to one of the knife assemblies such that each interior surface leads one of the knife assemblies and trails a different one of the knife assemblies. Each knife assembly has a flat knife (52) that extends radially inward to define a gate opening (78). Each interior surface has continuous flow paths (72,74,172,274,374,474,574,674,774) defined therein that extend across at least a majority of the interior surface from adjacent a leading edge (80) thereof through a trailing edge (84) thereof and are fluidically connected to one of the gate openings (78) between the interior surface and the knife (52) that trails the interior surface.