Multi-Lane Food Slicing Synchronization via Parameter-Based Product Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-lane food slicing devices face inefficiencies as they can only operate effectively if all slicing is completed simultaneously, leading to either idle conveyor tracks or discarded product residues, which limits throughput and profitability.
Innovation Solution
A method where products are selected based on determined parameters to ensure synchronized slicing across multiple conveyor tracks, minimizing residue cutting and optimizing product combinations for efficient processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple products are fed simultaneously on parallel conveyor tracks to a cutting plane, then cutting performance is increased, but slicing synchronization becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines product parameters (length, weight, position) before the slicing operation and uses this information to pre-calculate optimal conveyor track assignments. This preliminary measurement and planning phase enables synchronized slicing of multiple products by ensuring that products with similar parameters are assigned to the same cutting cycle, thereby resolving the synchronization problem while maintaining high productivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If products with different parameters are processed on parallel conveyor tracks, then product variety is handled, but conveyor tracks must stand still or discard residues
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts conveyor track assignments based on measured product parameters. By changing the parameters of product-grouping (grouping products with similar length, weight, and position characteristics together), the system ensures that all products in a group can be sliced simultaneously without leaving residues. This parameter-based grouping strategy maintains high conveyor track utilization while handling product variety
3Ease of operation
If products are fed randomly or in delivery order to conveyor tracks, then feeding process is simple, but slicing efficiency decreases due to unsynchronized completion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where product parameters (length, weight, position) are measured before feeding, and this information is used to determine optimal conveyor track assignments. The control unit processes this feedback data to group products that will be sliced simultaneously, thereby maintaining slicing efficiency without complicating the feeding process. The feedback loop ensures that only products suitable for synchronized slicing are grouped together
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The method involves simultaneously feeding several products (15) on parallel conveyor tracks (13) to a cutting plane (S) in which a cutting knife is moved circumferentially. The parallel conveyor tracks exceeding the number of products are provided. A product parameter is determined for each supplied product. A corresponding set (21) of the supplied products related to the number of conveyor tracks is selected with respect to the determined product parameters and is fed to the conveyor tracks of the cutting plane. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) device for cutting of products; and (2) selection station.