Meat Processing Assembly With Marking Roller for Gristle Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing meat processing systems face inefficiencies in cutting consistency, particularly with heavy gristle, and lack of automation for precise cutting and marking, leading to sanitation issues and product variability.
Innovation Solution
A modular meat processing assembly with a marking roller and support assembly that rotates to penetrate meat with marking members, forming consistent marks while cutting into desired shapes, using a stripper structure to remove retained meat, and integrating with a blade assembly for precise cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual cutting is used for meat processing, then flexibility in handling different meat types is maintained, but cutting consistency and productivity are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The meat processing system is divided into multiple independent modules including marking module, cutting module, and support module. Each module performs a specific function independently, allowing for optimized processing of each step while maintaining overall productivity and cutting consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical cutting is replaced with automated marking rollers and cutting blades that rotate at controlled speeds. The system uses rotational mechanics with precisely controlled marking members and blades to achieve consistent cuts without manual intervention, improving both precision and productivity.
2Productivity
If automated cutting systems are used, then productivity is improved, but ability to cut through heavy gristle is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The marking roller applies marks to the meat surface before cutting occurs. This preliminary marking action guides the subsequent cutting process, ensuring that cuts are made at the correct positions and that even tough areas like gristle are properly addressed in the cutting sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of blade sharpness, rotational speed, and marking depth parameters to optimize cutting performance. By changing these parameters, the system can adapt to different meat types including those with heavy gristle, maintaining both productivity and cutting reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual handling is used for meat processing, then adaptability to different product requirements is maintained, but sanitation problems and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Manual handling operations are completely replaced with automated mechanical systems including conveyors, marking rollers, and cutting blades. This substitution eliminates direct contact between personnel and meat products, thereby preventing sanitation contamination while maintaining the ability to process different meat configurations through programmable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated processing system is designed with universal capabilities to handle various meat types and product configurations through programmable parameters. The same equipment can be adjusted via software to process different cuts, sizes, and shapes without requiring manual intervention, maintaining versatility while ensuring sanitation.
4Ease of operation
If conventional automated cutting equipment is used, then labor intensity is reduced, but cutting precision and product consistency remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Conventional automated cutting equipment is replaced with a precision marking and cutting system that uses rotational rollers with precisely positioned marking members and cutting blades. The system incorporates controlled rotational mechanics and positioning systems that maintain high cutting accuracy while fully automating the operation, eliminating labor intensity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the positioning and performance of marking rollers and cutting blades. This feedback ensures that each cut is made with precise accuracy, maintaining product consistency while the system operates automatically without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for processing meat travelling along a path of travel and including a marking roller disposed transverse to the path of travel and including at least one but preferably a plurality of marking sections rotatable with the marking roller. Each of the marking sections includes at least one marking member rotatable therewith and extending outwardly therefrom into penetrating relation to meat passing along the path of travel. Penetration of each marking member into the meat produces a mark such as, but not limited to an alpha-numeric character corresponding in configuration to that of the penetrating marking member. A plurality of marking members may be mounted on one or more of the marking sections such that the meat will have a multi-character mark formed thereon as the marking members sequentially penetrate the meat during rotation of the marking roller and passage of the meat along the path of travel.