Split Forming Tube for Continuous Meat Strand Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting machines for elastic strands like meat struggle with long dead times and inefficiencies when processing non-homogeneous materials, requiring manual loading or high automation, and fail to produce slices and portions with precise weight due to varying cross-sections and material properties.
Innovation Solution
A cutting machine design that compresses the meat strand in a forming tube to a defined cross-section, allowing simultaneous or subsequent longitudinal pressing, and uses a knife controlled for precise cutting with adjustable thickness, combined with a split forming tube setup for continuous operation, enabling independent processing of multiple strands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single forming tube is used for cutting meat strands, then the structure is simple, but dead time between cutting phases increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The forming tube is divided into multiple separate forming tubes (first forming tube and second forming tube) that can operate simultaneously or sequentially. This segmentation allows continuous processing while maintaining structural manageability, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple forming tubes enable continuous cutting operations without idle dead time. While one tube is being loaded or processed, another tube can simultaneously perform cutting operations, ensuring the useful action continues without interruption and maximizing throughput.
2Ease of operation
If manual loading is used for each forming tube, then operation is simple, but dead time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by having multiple forming tubes in different operational phases simultaneously. While one tube completes cutting and requires loading, another tube is already in the cutting phase, eliminating idle dead time and maintaining continuous productive action.
Solution Approach 2:
The ability to prepare and load multiple forming tubes in advance allows the system to minimize waiting time. While one tube is being processed, another can be pre-loaded or prepared, ensuring seamless continuation of the cutting operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If transverse compression is applied to meat strands, then cross-section definition improves and slicing precision increases, but handling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The process is divided into distinct phases: first inserting the meat strand in a relaxed state (easy handling), then applying transverse compression only at the cutting position (precision achievement). This segmentation allows easy handling during loading while achieving precise cross-section definition during cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
Transverse compression is applied locally only at the cutting position within the forming tube, not throughout the entire strand handling process. This localized application maintains ease of operation during loading and transport while achieving the necessary precision for accurate slicing at the cutting point.
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 design achieves high throughput with short dead times and precise weight control, allowing for efficient production of slices and portions with consistent weight by minimizing manual intervention and optimizing the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
the strand is compressed by means of the forming tube in at least one transverse direction, the so-called second transverse direction, so that it acquires a defined cross-section
Implementation Method 2
the strand, thus cross-pressed, is first pressed longitudinally in the forming tube in this cross-pressed state, either simultaneously or subsequently, in particular by means of a longitudinal pressing ram, against a stop and then pushed forward beyond the front so-called cutting end of the forming tube
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
In order to shape, for example, meat strands (100), the cross-section of which varies in the longitudinal extent of said meat strands, into a constant cross-section, it is known that the meat strands (100) can be accommodated in one shaping tube (2) each and compressed transversely and longitudinally before the slicing into slices (101). According to the invention, the shaping tube (2) is divided in two in the longitudinal direction, at least over part of the periphery of the shaping tube, such that the two shaping parts can be brought from a pressing position, in which the two shaping parts are aligned with each other, into a loading position, in which the two shaping parts are not aligned with each other and in which the rear part of the shaping tube (2.2) can already be loaded with a new meat strand (100) while the remainder of the preceding meat strand (100) is still being sliced in the front part of the shaping tube (2.1).