Segmented Tilting Blade Holder for Variable-Shape Loin Trimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trimming solutions for pork loins with varying shapes and sizes fail to accurately remove skin and fat layers due to fixed blade curvature, leading to inconsistent trimming results and additional labor to meet customer specifications.
Innovation Solution
A trimming device with a blade holder comprising tiltable and non-tiltable segments, actuated by a servo motor, adjusts the blade geometry to match the individual shape of the carcass part, allowing precise trimming of skin and fat sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed curved blade is used to contour the shape of the loin, then the blade can be manufactured with a fixed geometry, but the trimming accuracy deteriorates when the loin shape deviates from the blade shape
Solution Approach 1:
The blade holder is divided into multiple segments that can be independently tilted and adjusted. This dynamic structure allows the blade to adapt its curvature and geometry to match the specific shape of each loin, eliminating the mismatch problem inherent in fixed curved blades while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular segment design.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade holder is segmented into multiple adjustable sections, each capable of independent positioning. This segmentation enables the blade to conform to varying loin shapes by adjusting individual segments, thereby achieving high trimming precision without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each blade geometry.
2Device complexity
If the blade curvature is fixed, then the device structure remains simple, but the adaptability to different loin shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade holder transitions from a static fixed-curvature design to a dynamic multi-segment structure with adjustable tilting angles. Each segment can be independently positioned to match different loin profiles, providing high adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through standardized segment modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade holder segments can change their geometric parameters (tilting angle, position) to adapt to different loin shapes. This parameter adjustability enables the same blade holder structure to handle various loin geometries without requiring multiple specialized components, balancing device simplicity with versatility.
3Productivity
If a fixed geometry blade is used, then the trimming process is fast, but the product value deteriorates due to inconsistent fat removal
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable blade holder segments can be quickly positioned and locked into appropriate configurations for different loin shapes. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain high trimming speed while ensuring consistent and accurate fat layer removal by adapting the blade geometry to each specific loin, eliminating the need for slow manual reconfiguration or rejection of non-conforming products.
Data Source
AI summary
A trimming device for trimming a carcass part having a skin and/or fat side, including a blade having a cutting edge facing a front face of the carcass part, and a blade holder for holding the blade. The blade holder has a tiltable blade holder segment and a non-tiltable blade holder segment rotatably coupled to the non-tiltable blade holder segment around an axis of rotation parallel to a conveying direction along which the carcass part is transported to the trimming device, and an actuator configured to tilt the tiltable blade holder segment relative to the non-tiltable blade holder segment based on information concerning a profile of the skin and/or fat side. A geometry of the cutting edge changes when the tiltable blade holder segment is tilted relative to the non-tiltable blade holder segment by the actuator to trim the skin and/or fat side into a predetermined shape.