Food Portion Stacking With In-Line Weight Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing systems struggle to produce uniform large food portions with predefined weights due to variations in product composition, requiring manual adjustments and separate weight checks, which disrupts the automated process.
Innovation Solution
A system with a transport device and scale downstream of the portioning section to measure the weight of part portions and food portions, allowing for dynamic adjustments to ensure uniformity and automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual weight checks and adjustments are performed to ensure uniform food portions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to disruption of automated process
Solution Approach 1:
A scale is integrated into the stacking apparatus to automatically measure the weight of part portions and food portions. The control device receives weight information from the scale and uses it to adjust slicing parameters (such as slice thickness or number of slices) in real-time, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains weight uniformity without manual intervention and preserves automated process continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically adjusting slicing parameters based on weight measurements. The control device modifies operational parameters without human input, allowing the system to self-regulate portion weights and maintain precision while keeping the automated flow uninterrupted
2Productivity
If high cutting speed is used to achieve high product throughput, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variations in product composition
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts slicing parameters during operation based on real-time weight feedback. The control device modifies slice thickness, number of slices, or other cutting parameters on-the-fly to compensate for variations in product composition, allowing high-speed cutting to continue while maintaining consistent portion weights through adaptive control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (such as slice thickness or number of slices per portion) based on measured weight data. When weight variations are detected, the control device adjusts these parameters to compensate for product composition changes, enabling high productivity to be maintained without sacrificing precision
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
Enables precise weight measurement and automatic control of the slicing process to produce uniform large food portions with predefined weights, reducing the need for manual corrections and maintaining high throughput.
Implementation Method 1
provision is made that the transport device and/or the stacking apparatus has/have a scale for measuring the weight of the part portions and/or of the food portion
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing food products comprises a slicing apparatus that is configured to cut off slices from food products and to form part portions having one or more slices in a portioning section. A transport device adjoining the portioning section is provided and the portioning section comprises a conveying device that transfers the part portions to the transport device. The system comprises a stacking apparatus that is configured to form a food portion comprising a plurality of part portions. The transport device is configured to transport the part portions onto a product support of the stacking apparatus, wherein the transport device and/or the stacking apparatus has/have a scale for measuring the weight of the part portions and/or of the food portion.