Pork trimmer automates manual task

FMC FoodTech claims its DSI 612 Pork Belly Processing System combines software, a machine vision system and high-pressure waterjets to consistently and accurately trim and sort pork bellies. The system works with two-axis cutters, allow control of cutter speed, providing the high-quality cuts while maximising yield, stated Jon Hocker, FMC FoodTech's business development manager. The trimmer can be used in integrated pork facilities with in-house bacon production. The DSI system trims and sorts for both skin-on or skin-off bellies. The system is designed to take pork bellies that are loaded shoulder forward onto a conveyor belt. The DSI 612 then scans each to determine geometry, including width, length and thickness. The scan also identifies positions of fat and lean, and locates defects like holes or "snowballs". After scanning, the DSI 612 assesses and automatically detects whether it is a left or right belly. The software then evaluates multiple cut cutting scenarios. Once the software identifies the highest yield solution, the optimal cut is selected and the DSI system trims the belly following the chosen cut path. After the optimal cuts have been made, the system sends a sort category signal to the downstream sorter. The data is automatically stored in an integrated statistical process control system. "The DSI 612 not only offers the ability to run multiple programs simultaneously, it makes changing the sorting and cutting parameters easy, even during operation; whether to maximise yield or to switch from weight grading to thickness grading,"​ FMC FoodTech claimed.