Cutting/portioning using combined X-ray and optical scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In food processing, the transfer of food products from X-ray permeable conveyor belts to metallic grids for waterjet cutting often results in inaccuracies due to shifting or distortion, leading to mismatches in the location and configuration of the food items between the X-ray scanner and the downstream cutter, causing inaccuracies in cutting and portioning.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing both X-ray and optical scanners, with a processor that compares data sets to verify the identity and position of food items across conveyor sections, allowing for translations to correct for movement and distortion, ensuring accurate removal of undesirable components and portioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If food products are transferred from X-ray permeable conveyor belts to metallic grids for waterjet cutting, then the cutting process can be performed effectively, but the food items may shift or distort during transfer, causing mismatches in location and configuration between the X-ray scanner and downstream cutter
Solution Approach 1:
An optical scanner is introduced as an intermediary device between the X-ray scanner and the waterjet cutter. The optical scanner captures images of the food items on the metallic grid conveyor, providing real-time positional and configurational data that mediates the mismatch caused by transfer between different conveyor types. This intermediary system enables accurate mapping of bone locations to the actual food item positions during cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the food items using the optical scanner, generating images that represent the actual position and configuration of each food item on the metallic grid conveyor. These optical copies are then processed to generate cutting paths, allowing the system to work with accurate representations rather than relying on the potentially mismatched X-ray scanner coordinates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different types of conveyor belts are used for X-ray scanning and waterjet cutting, then each conveyor can be optimized for its specific function, but the transfer between conveyors causes shifting and distortion of food items
Solution Approach 1:
The optical scanner provides feedback about the actual position and configuration of food items on the metallic grid conveyor. This feedback information is used to adjust and recalculate the cutting paths in real-time, compensating for any shifts or distortions that occurred during the transfer from the X-ray permeable conveyor to the metallic grid conveyor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the cutting process by using optical images captured at different stages of conveyance. Rather than relying on static coordinates from the X-ray scan, the system continuously updates the food item position and configuration data based on optical scanning, enabling dynamic adjustment of cutting parameters to maintain reliability despite conveyor transfer variations.
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
This system ensures precise removal of undesirable materials and accurate portioning by verifying the identity and correcting for positional changes of food items between conveyor sections, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
the use of an X-ray scanner to locate the undesirable materials, especially in the interior of the food product
Implementation Method 2
a second optical scanner located over the metallic, open grid belt
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system (10) and corresponding method (158) are provided for processing workpieces (WP), including food items, to cut and remove undesirable components from the food items and/or portion the food items while being conveyed on a conveyor system (12). An X-ray scanning station (14) is located on an upstream conveyor section (20) to ascertain size and/or shape parameters of the food items as well as the location of any undesirable components of the food items, such as bones, fat or cartilage. Thereafter the food items are transferred to a downstream conveyor (20) at which is located an optical scanner (102) to ascertain the size and/or shape parameters of the food items. The results of the X-ray and optical scanning are transmitted to a processor (18) to confirm that the food item scanned by the optical scanner is the same as that previously scanned by the X-ray scanner. Once this identity is confirmed, if required, the data from the X-ray scanner is translated or transformed onto the data from the optical scanner. Such translation may include one or more of the shifting of the food items in the X and/or Y direction, rotation of the food item, scaling of the size of the food item, and sheer distortion of the food item. Next, the location of the undesirable material within the food item is mapped from the X-ray scanning data onto the optical scanning data. Thereafter, the undesirable material is removed by a cutter(s) (28). The food item may also (or alternatively) been portioned by the cutter(s) (28).