Meat Inspection Conveyor With Container ID Rework Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor and inspection systems face challenges in tracking and reworking bulk products, such as meat, that fail inspection parameters without sequential ordering, leading to difficulties in parallel processing and effective identification.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a diversion mechanism and inspection unit captures images of non-conforming products, co-registers them with container ID data, and displays these images at a rework station, allowing for reworking and reintroduction into the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bulk meat products are transported on a conveyor for inspection without packaging, then inspection accessibility is improved, but product identification and tracking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the identification process by assigning unique container IDs to individual containers holding bulk meat products. Each container acts as an independent identification unit, allowing tracking without requiring the meat itself to be packaged or individually identified. The reader scans container IDs at various points in the conveyor system to maintain product identification throughout the inspection and rework process.
2Reliability
If rejected products are diverted from the main conveyor for rework, then quality assurance is improved, but product tracking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by co-registering images of rejected products with their container ID data. When a product fails inspection, the system captures an image, retrieves the container ID via the reader, and links these pieces of information together. This feedback loop ensures that even when products are diverted from the main conveyor, their identity and inspection history are preserved and can be traced through the rework process.
3Loss of information
If sequential ordering is implemented for bulk product inspection, then product tracking is improved, but processing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container ID system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies the bulk product, tracks its movement through the conveyor system, associates inspection results with the correct product batch, and enables rework tracking. This universal identification approach eliminates the need for separate sequential ordering mechanisms, maintaining product tracking capability while allowing parallel processing and improving overall efficiency.
4Productivity
If multiple rework stations operate in parallel, then productivity is improved, but product identification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image copying to document rejected products. When a product fails inspection, an image is captured and co-registered with the container ID. These image copies are stored and can be displayed at any number of rework stations, allowing multiple stations to operate in parallel without increasing identification complexity. Each station receives the same identification information through the container ID system, eliminating the need for complex multi-channel identification mechanisms.
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 continuous operation with tracked and reworked products, facilitating parallel processing and effective identification of defects, enhancing operational flexibility and quality assurance.
Implementation Method 1
an optical camera
Implementation Method 2
x-ray unit
Implementation Method 3
infrared unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a conveyor system (100) including a first conveyor (102 leading to an inspection point, the first conveyor (102) including a diversion mechanism configured to divert an object based on failing to meet an inspection parameter. The system (100) includes a second conveyor (108) configured to transport a container (110) configured to receive the object from the diversion mechanism. A control module (112) is configured to co-register an image of the object captured at the inspection point with container ID (204) data of the container.