Portion Stacking With Inline Weighing for Precise Food Slice Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing systems struggle to produce uniform large food portions with precise weight control, especially when dealing with varying product composition, as they require manual adjustments and cannot dynamically adjust cutting processes to achieve consistent portion weights.
Innovation Solution
A system with a transport device connected to the portioning section that transfers portions to a stacking device, incorporating a scale for weight measurement downstream of the portioning section, allowing for precise weight determination and automatic adjustments to ensure consistent portion weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-performance slicer is used to achieve high product throughput, then slicing speed is improved, but weight control precision deteriorates due to variations in slice weight and composition
Solution Approach 1:
The food product is divided into multiple slices that are then grouped into partial portions. The system segments the portion formation process into automated slicing and subsequent stacking of multiple partial portions to create complete food portions, allowing high-speed slicing while maintaining weight control through multiple measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The scale measures the weight of individual partial portions before they are stacked into complete food portions. This preliminary weight measurement allows the system to anticipate and adjust the total weight of the food portion before final assembly, ensuring precise weight control despite high slicing speeds
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustments are made to compensate for weight fluctuations, then weight control precision is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scale provides continuous weight feedback for each partial portion and the complete food portion. The control unit processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts slicing parameters or stacking operations to maintain target weight, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment based on scale measurements. The control unit automatically modifies slicing depth, blade position, or portion composition to compensate for weight variations without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-regulating and easier to operate
3Manufacturing precision
If separate weighing steps are introduced to ensure weight consistency, then weight control precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing function is merged into the main production flow by integrating the scale within the slicing and stacking system. Weight measurement occurs continuously during the portion formation process rather than as a separate post-processing step, eliminating additional processing time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The scale operates continuously throughout the portion formation process, measuring each partial portion as it is created and the final food portion before discharge. This continuous measurement eliminates interruptions and separate weighing steps, maintaining high productivity while ensuring weight consistency
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A food processing system comprises a slicing device configured to cut slices of food products and form portions of one or more slices in a portioning section. A conveying device is provided downstream of the portioning section, and the portioning section includes a conveyor that transfers the portions to the conveying device. The system includes a stacking device configured to form a food portion consisting of several portions. The conveying device is configured to transport the portions onto a product platform of the stacking device, and the conveying device and/or the stacking device includes a scale for measuring the weight of the portions and/or the food portion.