Central Controller for Multi-Slice Food Portion Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for producing multi-type food packs are inefficient and costly due to the complexity of setting up and operating networked machine systems, which limits the ability to produce a variety of different packs quickly and easily.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple machine units, a display device, and a system controller that allows users to graphically create desired total portions from individual product slices and additional products, enabling automatic control of slicing and depositing machines to form specified total portions, including overlapping individual portions and additional products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a networked machine system with multiple slicing devices is used to produce multi-type packs, then the variety of pack variants can be increased, but the complexity of setting up and operating the system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A central control unit is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the multiple slicing devices. This control unit receives configuration data describing the desired multi-type pack, automatically generates machine data sets for each slicing device, and coordinates their operation. This mediator eliminates the need for complex manual setup and coordination, allowing high versatility while keeping the operational interface simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring all slicing devices before production begins. The operator provides a single configuration data set describing the desired pack, and the control unit pre-generates all necessary machine data sets,刀 settings, and coordination parameters. This preliminary configuration eliminates complex setup procedures during operation and enables quick switching between different pack variants.
2Productivity
If multiple slicing devices are coordinated to form total portions, then productivity increases, but the difficulty of operation and operator expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs self-service by automatically generating all necessary machine data sets, coordinating the timing and operation of multiple slicing devices, and managing the formation of total portions without operator intervention. The system monitors its own operation and automatically adjusts parameters, eliminating the need for operators to have specialized knowledge of coordinating multiple devices while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical coordination of multiple slicing devices is replaced by an automated electronic control system. Instead of operators manually setting and coordinating each device, the control unit uses electronic signals and automated control algorithms to synchronize the slicing devices, manage depositors, and coordinate the formation of total portions, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the machine system is reconfigured for different multi-type packs, then product variety can be expanded, but setup time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable through software rather than requiring physical reconfiguration. The control unit can rapidly generate new machine data sets and adjust parameters for different pack variants by changing software configurations. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to switch between different multi-type packs quickly without time-consuming physical setup, while still maintaining the capability to produce a wide variety of products.
4Manufacturing precision
If precise coordination of multiple slicing devices is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed as a universal multi-functional system that handles all coordination tasks for multiple slicing devices, depositors, and product formation. It performs timing synchronization, parameter optimization, quality monitoring, and error correction through a single integrated control architecture. This universal approach achieves high manufacturing precision without requiring separate complex control systems for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for forming whole portions, which comprise at least product slices separated from several food products, with a machine unit comprising several machine units, including a plurality of slicing devices and a storage unit, which includes at least one storage area movable between the slicing devices, a display unit, an evaluation unit communicating with the display unit, and a system controller that communicates with the individual controllers assigned to the machine units and with the configuration unit. A whole portion can be generated from a plurality of different individual portions by means of the display unit. The evaluation unit is configured to provide a configuration data set determined by a predetermined whole portion.The system control is designed to specify a machine data set from a provided configuration data set and to control the machine equipment on the basis of the specified machine data set in such a way that total portions corresponding to the specified total portion are formed by placing individual portions formed by different cutting devices successively on the storage area of the storage device.