Slicer Automatic First Cut Length Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slicing machines struggle to accurately determine the first cut length for product calibers, leading to excessive end piece removal and reduced slice yield, resulting in food wastage and increased cycle times.

Innovation Solution

A slicing machine equipped with a measuring device that automatically measures the dimensions of the product caliber in the height direction, allowing for precise determination of the first cut location and length, ensuring optimal slice dimensions and minimizing wastage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a manually entered first cut length is used to ensure all product calibers produce sufficient slices, then slice dimension requirements are met, but excessive end piece is removed leading to food wastage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslice dimensionVSAvoidfood wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement and entry system with an optical measuring device that automatically measures the product caliber dimensions and calculates the optimal first cut length, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling precise, individualized cutting decisions for each product caliber

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The slicing machine performs self-measurement and self-adjustment of the first cut length based on actual product caliber dimensions, with the measuring device and control unit automatically determining the optimal cutting parameters without external manual input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If a longer first cut length is used to accommodate tapered product calibers, then sufficient slice height is ensured, but the number of slices per product caliber is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslice heightVSAvoidnumber of slices per product caliber

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the first cut length parameter based on the measured dimensions and shape characteristics of each individual product caliber, adjusting the cutting parameters in real-time to optimize both slice quality and yield

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If frequent loading of new product calibers is required due to excessive first cut length, then cycle time increases, but this is necessary to maintain slice dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslice dimensionVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device provides real-time feedback on product caliber dimensions to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the first cut length accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes cutting parameters based on actual measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250073938A1Slicing machine, in particular slicer, and method

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A slicing machine, in particular a slicer, for slicing at least one product caliber into slices and for producing portions from the slices, comprises a cutting unit with a blade for cutting slices from the at least one product caliber, a feed unit for feeding the at least one product caliber to the cutting unit along a feed direction, and a control unit. The slicing machine further comprises a measuring device which is in signal connection with the control unit and is adapted to measure at least one dimension of the at least one product caliber in a height direction of the at least one product caliber in order to determine a first cut length, in particular automatically.