Rib Primal Cut Portioning Using X-Ray Bone Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in meat processing lies in accurately portioning and trimming rib primal cuts of quadruped animals, such as pork, beef, and lamb, with embedded bones, as the bones are not visible and can be difficult to cut through, leading to inaccuracies and potential danger during the cutting process.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves scanning the meat workpiece to determine the location, size, and shape of embedded bones, allowing for precise cutting into desired sub-primal cuts based on the physical characteristics of the bones, using a combination of X-ray scanning and optical scanning to model the workpiece and control the cutting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual cutting methods are used to portion rib primal cuts, then operational flexibility is maintained, but cutting accuracy and safety deteriorate due to invisible embedded bones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an X-ray scanner as an intermediary device that detects the location and orientation of embedded bones within the rib primal cut. This intermediary system provides visual information about invisible bones, enabling operators to make accurate cuts without directly seeing the bones, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining operational simplicity and achieving cutting precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation and physical probing methods with an X-ray imaging system to detect bone locations. This substitution of mechanical detection methods with radiographic imaging enables precise identification of embedded bones, significantly improving cutting accuracy while maintaining operational flexibility through the use of specialized cutting tools guided by the imaging data.
2Productivity
If cutting is performed without bone detection, then process simplicity is maintained, but yield and quality deteriorate due to miss-cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary X-ray scanning of the rib primal cut before the cutting process begins. This preliminary action reveals the location, orientation, and depth of embedded bones, allowing the cutting plan to be optimized in advance. By knowing bone locations beforehand, the system can plan cuts that maximize meat yield while avoiding bones, preventing miss-cuts and improving overall production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a feedback loop where X-ray imaging data about bone locations is fed into the cutting planning system. This feedback mechanism allows the cutting plan to be dynamically adjusted based on the actual bone configuration in each primal cut, enabling optimization of cut paths to maximize yield and minimize waste from miss-cuts.
3Reliability
If traditional cutting methods are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but safety and accuracy worsen due to invisible bones and curved cut paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized curved blade cutter as an intermediary cutting tool designed to follow curved cut paths around embedded bones. This specialized tool, guided by X-ray imaging data, enables safe and accurate cutting through complex geometries that would be dangerous with traditional straight blades, as the operator can see the bone locations and plan safe cut paths in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic cutting approach where the cut path is adjusted based on the detected bone locations and orientations. The cutting system can dynamically modify the blade path to navigate around bones, and the specialized curved blade tool is designed to accommodate these dynamic path adjustments, improving safety while handling the complexity of irregular bone configurations.
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 enables accurate and safe portioning of rib primal cuts into uniform sub-primal cuts, improving yield and quality while minimizing miss-cuts, and optimizing production requirements.
Implementation Method 1
using a combination of X-ray scanning and optical scanning to model the workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
An animal ribcage primal cut having a bone array located therein is portioned into one or more sub primal cuts, each having at least one bone located therein. The primal cut is scanned at scanning station 14 while being conveyed on a conveyor 12 to determine the physical characteristics of the primal cut. A processor 18 determines how to portion the primal cut into desired sub primal cuts in accordance with desired physical characteristics of the sub primal cut and production requirements for the sub primal cuts. A controller controls a cutter to divide the primal cut into one or more sub primal cuts according to the determination previously made on how to portion the primal cut into desired sub primal cuts.