Meat Inspection Layering for Simultaneous X-Ray Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current meat inspection systems are inefficient in processing high volumes of small meat parts and often result in unnecessary removal of meat when detecting undesired objects, as they typically require individual inspection and manual processing, which limits throughput and increases waste.
Innovation Solution
A system that brings meat parts together in a uniform layer for X-ray inspection, using a conveyor and cutting facility to separate and reject only the portion containing undesired objects, allowing for simultaneous inspection of multiple parts and minimizing meat removal, with control means to optimize the processing speed and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If individual meat parts are inspected and processed separately, then detection accuracy is maintained, but processing speed and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple meat parts are merged into a single layer for simultaneous inspection and processing. The system combines detection, cutting, and rejection operations into one integrated workflow, where a single cutting action can remove multiple undesired objects from different meat parts that are arranged in a layer, thereby increasing throughput without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the meat parts into a structured layer arrangement that allows for efficient batch processing. By organizing meat parts in a specific spatial configuration (layer with controlled spacing), the system enables simultaneous detection and processing of multiple parts while maintaining individual detectability of undesired objects
2Reliability
If a whole part of the stream is removed to ensure undesired material is removed, then detection reliability is improved, but meat waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the specific portions of meat parts that contain undesired objects, rather than removing entire meat parts or large sections. The cutting facility is controlled to make precise cuts that remove only the minimal necessary portions containing bones or other undesired materials, thereby maintaining detection reliability while minimizing meat waste
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different processing actions to different local regions of the meat parts. Areas containing undesired objects receive cutting and rejection actions, while clean areas are preserved and continue through the process. This localized approach ensures reliable detection and removal of contaminants while preserving the majority of usable meat
3Productivity
If meat parts are supplied separately one by one, then individual processing precision is maintained, but processing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple meat parts are merged into a single layer for simultaneous inspection and processing. The system combines detection, cutting, and rejection operations into one integrated workflow, where a single cutting action can remove multiple undesired objects from different meat parts that are arranged in a layer, thereby increasing throughput without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual or sequential mechanical processing with an automated control system that coordinates detection, cutting, and rejection operations. The control means manages the timing and positioning of multiple operations simultaneously, maintaining precision while dramatically increasing processing capacity through automation
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 approach significantly increases processing capacity and efficiency by inspecting multiple meat parts simultaneously, reducing unnecessary meat removal and enhancing yield, while maintaining high detection accuracy and speed.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation inspection facility, e.g. an X-ray radiation inspection facility for detecting any undesired objects
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
A meat inspection and sorting line (1) comprising supply means 4, a radiation inspection facility 2, a cutting facility 32 and a reject facility 40. Meat parts 10 are brought together and fed into the radiation inspection facility 2 by means of a conveyor 16 in a layer 14 of meat parts. An undesired object 30 is detected by the radiation inspection facility 2 by means of e.g. an X-ray technique and a part of the layer 14 of meat parts containing the undesired object 30 is identified and separated from the layer 14 of meat parts by the cutting facility 32. The identified and separated part of the layer 14 of meat parts containing the undesired object 30 is rejected by the reject facility 40 from the layer 14 of meat parts.