Poultry Mid-Wing Cutting with Intermittent Conveyor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing poultry processing machines struggle to efficiently separate the radius and ulna portions of poultry mid-wings due to their small size and closely spaced bones, requiring manual manipulation that is time-consuming and poses safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A device with an intermittent-motion conveyor system and synchronized cutting elements that moves meat in a stop-and-go fashion, allowing precise separation of poultry mid-wings into radius and ulna portions using an automated cutting mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cutting is used to separate radius and ulna portions, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt automatically positions each poultry mid-wing section in the cutting area, and the cutting element automatically performs the separation when the bones are properly aligned. The system serves itself by using the intermittent motion to both transport and position the workpiece, eliminating the need for manual positioning while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt operates with periodic intermittent motion, stopping at regular intervals to allow the cutting element to separate the radius and ulna bones. This rhythmic stop-start operation enables automated cutting without requiring complex continuous control systems, as the periodic nature of the motion provides natural timing for the cutting action.
2Manufacturing precision
If continuous conveyor motion is used, then productivity is high, but cutting precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt uses periodic intermittent motion, alternating between movement phases and stopping phases. During the stopping phases, the cutting element can accurately separate the radius and ulna bones without the disturbance of continuous motion. This periodic rhythm maintains cutting precision while still achieving reasonable productivity through continuous cyclic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt performs preliminary positioning by transporting the poultry mid-wing sections to the correct location in the cutting area before the cutting action occurs. This preliminary transport action ensures that each workpiece is properly positioned and oriented before the cutting element engages, thereby guaranteeing cutting accuracy without requiring complex positioning mechanisms during the actual cutting moment.
3Loss of time
If manual manipulation is used for closely spaced bones, then adaptability to different bone configurations is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically handles the separation of closely spaced radius and ulna bones through the intermittent motion of the conveyor belt and the synchronized cutting element. The workpiece itself is positioned and processed without manual manipulation, eliminating the time-consuming aspect of manual handling while maintaining the ability to adapt to different bone configurations through the flexible timing of the intermittent motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical manipulation of bones is replaced by an automated mechanical system consisting of the intermittent conveyor belt and cutting element. This substitution eliminates the time loss associated with manual operations while using simple mechanical principles that can adapt to variations in bone positioning, thereby reducing processing time without overly complicating the operation.
4Device complexity
If simple cutting mechanisms are used, then device complexity is low, but cutting capability for intricate bones is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting mechanism incorporates dynamic intermittent motion of the conveyor belt, allowing the system to adapt its rhythm and timing to accommodate different bone configurations. This dynamic operation enables a relatively simple cutting element to effectively handle intricate bone separations by adjusting the timing and frequency of the stop-start cycles, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic intermittent motion of the conveyor belt provides multiple opportunities for the simple cutting element to engage with the bones at optimal moments. This rhythmic repetition allows the uncomplicated cutting mechanism to effectively separate closely spaced radius and ulna bones by attempting the separation at regular intervals, with each cycle providing a fresh opportunity for successful cutting without requiring complex adaptive mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cutting pieces of meat, preferably pieces of poultry, in particular poultry mid-wings, into separate portions. The invention also relates to a drive system for use or used in said device according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method for cutting pieces of meat, preferably pieces of poultry, in particular poultry mid-wings, into separate portions, preferably by making use of the device according to the invention.