Automated Meat Butchering System with 3D Scanning and PLC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated scanning and butchering systems lack a comprehensive solution for efficiently scanning and cutting meat into precise portions, as they often rely on manual processes or outdated technologies that are not fully automated.
Innovation Solution
An automated scanning and butchering system that integrates a PLC system, a scanning system, and a butchering system with saw assemblies, conveyor systems, and cradles, enabling real-time data communication and 3D scanning to identify trim lines and accurately cut meat into desired portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated scanning and butchering systems are implemented, then productivity and processing speed are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a scanning system with multiple scanners for 3D imaging, a PLC control system for coordination, and a butchering system with saw assemblies. Each module operates independently but communicates through the centralized PLC, allowing high productivity through automation while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The PLC system serves as a universal control platform that coordinates scanning operations, processes 3D model data, determines trim lines, and controls butchering operations. This multi-functional control system consolidates multiple control functions into a single intelligent platform, improving productivity while preventing exponential growth in system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If 3D scanning and automated trim line identification are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional manual measurement and marking methods are replaced with an automated optical scanning system. Multiple scanners capture 3D point cloud data of the meat product, and the PLC system automatically processes this data to identify trim lines and generate cutting paths. This substitution of mechanical measurement with optical scanning and computational analysis achieves high cutting precision while managing the complexity of data processing through automated algorithms.
3Ease of operation
If automated conveyor and cradle systems are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system incorporates adjustable cradles that can dynamically adapt to different meat product sizes and shapes. The cradles are positioned and configured based on real-time 3D scan data, allowing the system to easily handle various products without manual reconfiguration. This dynamic adaptability improves ease of operation while the automated control through PLC prevents the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated scanning and butchering system is disclosed. Said system having a PLC system, a scanning system and a butchering system in data communication. The butchering system comprising a one or more saw assemblies, a conveyor system, a one or more cradles, and a first end and a second end. The one or more saw assemblies are arranged between the first end and the second end of the butchering system. The conveyor system comprises a conveyor comprising the one or more cradles configured to move items from the first end to the second end of the butchering system. The one or more cradles are configured to releaseably receive and hold a target object as the conveyor moves the target object from the first end to the second end of the butchering system. The scanning system comprising a one or more scanners.