Food Slicing Camera Feedback Minimize Residue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cutting food products into portions often result in residues that do not meet the target weight, leading to reduced yield and increased manufacturing costs, despite advancements in opto-electrical detection and variable slice thickness control.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a camera and control system to evaluate the cut surface of each food product, adjust slice thickness in real-time, and incorporate feedback from residual stock data to minimize leftovers by optimizing cutting plans for subsequent products, ensuring minimal residual stock and improved processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If variable slice thickness control is used to achieve target weight portions, then portion weight accuracy is improved, but residual stock remains and yield is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of the food product's geometry and structure before slicing begins. By analyzing the product's contour and internal structure in advance, the system pre-calculates optimal slice thickness values that account for the entire product length, ensuring that slices are cut to the precise thickness needed to achieve target weight while minimizing any remaining stock at the end of the product.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual weight of sliced portions and compares it against the target weight during the slicing process. This real-time feedback allows the control device to dynamically adjust slice thickness parameters, ensuring that portions meet the target weight requirement while also optimizing the use of remaining product material to minimize residual stock.
2Measurement precision
If opto-electrical detection devices are used to evaluate product geometry, then slice thickness control is improved, but residues remain when food is cut open
Solution Approach 1:
The opto-electrical detection device performs preliminary evaluation of the food product's geometry, contour, and internal structure before the slicing process begins. By analyzing these characteristics in advance, the system pre-determines the optimal slice thickness values that will minimize residue while ensuring accurate target weight portions, rather than adjusting thickness during cutting which cannot prevent residue formation.
3Productivity
If continuous slicing is performed to maximize productivity, then production speed is improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to residual stock
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary geometric evaluation and pre-calculates optimal slice thickness values before slicing begins. This allows the slicing process to proceed continuously at high speed without needing to stop and adjust parameters mid-stream. By having the correct slice thickness determined in advance based on the product's actual geometry, the system maintains high productivity while minimizing residual stock and associated manufacturing costs.
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 system effectively minimizes residual stock, achieving portions that meet target weights with reduced waste and enhanced processing efficiency by using feedback from previous cuts to adjust parameters for subsequent slicing.
Implementation Method 1
a camera is used to capture data about a cut surface of the food product to be sliced
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves supplying different food products (1) on conveyor (2) with a cutting device (7) to cut into slices, where the slicing process is recovered by a camera (20) data on a sectional surface (21). A control device (25) is provided for detecting residue of the food product. A control device is provided for controlling corresponding actuators for cutting the food product. An independent claim is also included for an apparatus for cutting multiple food products into slices with a conveyor for feeding the food product into a cutting device.