DK161794B - INSTALLATION AND PROCEDURES FOR AUTOMATIC CUTTING OF THE VERTICAL PENDING BODY - Google Patents

Description

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DK 161794B

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically cutting vertical hanging carcasses, comprising a carousel with fixtures for carcasses or parts thereof, one or more measuring means for determining positions on a carcass and cutting means arranged at the circumference of the carousel, a carcass placed in a fixture.

After pigs have been slaughtered and the brushes removed from the surface of the carcass, each carcass is suspended in the hind legs by means of a hinge. The bodies are transported by means of this hanging iron onto a sliding bar conveyor and past the individual treatment places in the slaughterhouse. After mid-spotting, classification and labeling, the carcasses are cooled. The next day, the chilled bodies are taken down, and each of the half bodies is cut into three or four main cuts using band saws.

The cuts are then transported to cutting rooms, in which they are manually divided and trimmed into various types of cuts, such as the neck, comb, rib and ham.

Cutting the half carcasses can be difficult to do in a uniform way, partly because carcasses vary in length and partly because the 20 bodies are heavy to handle before and during sawing. During sawing, the body may be incorrectly guided by the operator, making the incision inaccurate. This results in less valuable cuts of meat.

In the patent literature, systems are described for automatic cutting of carcasses. US-A-4,557,014 discloses a fully automatic plant having some endless bands between which the semi-carcasses suspended in hinges are clamped during the conveyance along the sliding bar conveyor. The level of the cut to be made through the carcass at the front end is determined by means of a video camera. The level of a subsequent tape saw is automatically adjusted depending on the video recording, so that the front pieces are cut at the correct cutting height as the half carcasses held between the bands pass the saw.

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A second camcorder then similarly determines the next cut level for sawing off the center of the carcass. The level of a subsequent saw is adjusted accordingly, and the saw separates the center piece and the ham piece. A third cutting system 5 similarly ensures that the leg is cut under the hinge so that the ham can fall onto a conveyor belt. The sawed parts are automatically transported to other workplaces in the slaughterhouse for further processing.

By using this known plant there is a risk that the cuts 10 are performed inaccurately, since the carcass can easily displace j! between the bands during the sawing.

DK-A-0330/82 describes a fully automatic system built around a carousel, on which are fixtures, each designed for two half carcasses. Around the carousel there are processing stations which are activated as the carcass is brought to them by turning the carousel.

In the first station, a centered carcass from the slaughter line's guide rod is transferred to the carousel's fixture. Some supports in the fixture are pushed into each of the half carcasses thereby positioned. The carcass is then secured to the fixture by means of a vacuum connected to openings in the support surfaces.

The second station contains some measuring means for determining carcass positions. The carcass retained in the fixture is pushed by cylinders forward from the carousel so that it engages with the measuring means. These may include sledge devices with electromagnetic sensors which, when displaced along each spine of the carcass, sense the gaps between the thorn pins and thus determine the position of each of the half carcasses in the fixture.

DK 161794 -3- The third station contains saws whose level and angle are individually adjusted based on the measurements in the previous station. The carcass is cut by pushing the fixture with the body outwards towards the set saws by means of the above cylinders. The provided 5 center pieces are retained on the fixture, while the other parts fall onto the conveyor belt which carries them to other treatment sites.

The fourth station is provided with band saws which perform vertical cuts through the center pieces and thus divide them into comb and chest pieces.

Also, this plant can cause inaccurate cutting of the carcass, as there is a risk of the body shifting in the fixture during sawing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a plant which provides greater assurance of correct placement of the cuts in the carcass than the known plants mentioned.

The plant according to the invention is characterized in that each fixture comprises two or more sections, the level of which is individually adjustable.

By using several individually adjustable sections, an increased assurance of correct execution of the cuts in the carcass is achieved, with support surfaces and any retaining means on the individual sections being brought in close proximity to the cuts to be performed by individually leveling the sections. This results in a more secure holding of the carcass during the sawing, so that the cuts are placed correctly according to the particular cut location.

The use of fixtures with individually adjustable sections also allows for the cuts of the fixtures held in the fixture to move away from each other, so that the saw blades can be retracted relatively smoothly after the saw. This is especially important when using band saws which otherwise have a tendency to cling to the cuts as they are withdrawn from the cut body. 1

In particular, the plant according to the invention is used for automatic cutting of mid-split carcasses.

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DK 161794 B

When cutting such carcasses, it is desirable that each fixture be divided into two halves, each of which can receive half a carcass. Each of the two half-fi trips may comprise two or more sections, the level of which is individually adjustable. If desired, a section of a semi-fixture can be linked to a corresponding section of the other semi-fixture, so that the two sections are set to the same level.

In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, each fixture comprises three sections, the level of which is individually adjustable. One section can thereby serve to fix the front of the carcass, another section 10 fixes the center piece, and the third section fixes the ham.

It is especially important that the two cuts between these three carcass parts be accurately performed, and this can ensure the three-part fixture in question by providing stable support and retention at the cut-points after the level of the sections has been adjusted in dependence 15 on measured positions. on the current carcass. The middle section is preferably set so that it lies midway between the two sections to be performed.

An embodiment of the system according to the invention is characterized in that, for each fixture, the carousel has at least one vertical guide rod or 20 rail, along which the section of the fixture can be individually pushed up and down, preferably by means of cylinders, to which piston rod is coupled position sensors. By using such an arrangement, a very light and stable construction of the carousel can be obtained, the rods or rails serving as stiffening in the carousel. In this arrangement, the support surfaces of the fixture 25 for the carcass can easily be placed in a vertical plane, which means that the body can be cut into a cutting station by driving a carriage with saws towards the vertically fixed body. Therefore, there is no need for cylinders in the carousel, which can push a body forward towards measuring or cutting devices, as in the above-mentioned known carousel system. The positioning of the sections becomes reliable and the moment of inertia of the carousel is reduced due to the lighter construction.

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The section of the fixture may be guided by bushings that enclose the slide bars or rails.

Each section or set of sections can be individually pushed up and down along the rods or rails by means of each pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. To determine a section level, a position sensor associated with the section and a fixed point on the carousel stand can be found. For example, a rack and a co-operating rotary encoder may be used.

In one embodiment of the plant according to the invention, each section comprises a profiled support surface for a corresponding part of a carcass. This makes the carcass fall relatively easily into place on the fixture, and it can be better held during the cutting of the body.

Preferably, the profiled support surface is located along a sectional edge area closest to the section to be performed. This provides a stable support of the body over a longer distance beyond the cutting area.

For example, the support surface may be provided by means of profile bends which are located at the top and / or bottom of a fixture section. The rods in two neighboring sections may be arranged so that they extend close to the cut to be performed, but on each side thereof. The support surface may also consist of shaped plates supported by some radially projecting brackets.

Each section according to the invention may comprise one or more sets of pivotal arms arranged to hold the corresponding carcass portion against the supporting surface of the section. The arms provide a secure retention of the carcass and may optionally be hinged to the support surface so that the carcass is automatically guided toward the angular tip of the V. formed by an arm and an associated support surface.

The arms are preferably arranged at the peripheral region or regions of the section, which are closest to the section to be performed, preferably parallel to this. It increases the retention security during cutting.

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An embodiment of the system according to the invention is characterized in that each fixture comprises a horizontal plate arranged above the sections against which the toes of the rear legs of a carcass can be brought up to the system by means of lifting mechanisms. When the toes are pushed up against a horizontal plate 5, any obliquely hanging carcasses are raised so that corresponding parts on the right and left sides of the body will lie essentially in the same horizontal plane. This means that both the right and left sides of the body can be cut at one time using a horizontal band saw.

10 It may also be sufficient to make position determinations on one side of the carcass, although it would normally be preferable to make position determination on both sides or halves and adjust the level of the saws on the basis of an average of the two sets of measurements.

When the carcass is suspended in a hinge, the lifting mechanisms are preferably two arms cooperating with the hinge. Each arm may be provided with a cylinder capable of exerting an upward force so that the corresponding leg of the carcass is pressed upwards for abutment against the horizontal plate.

According to one embodiment, the system may comprise measuring means for automatically measuring the level of the throne, the level of each foreleg and / or the level of the pubic bone of the individual carcass. Such measuring means are known per se. On the basis of measurements with one or more of these means, it will be reasonably possible to adjust the level of the sections and / or to determine the sectional position between the front end and the center piece and the section position between the center piece and the ham piece. The measurements are relatively simple and reliable to perform.

Other measuring means that can be used to automatically determine carcass positions include the aforementioned thorn loss sensor and video recording with associated imaging program. Semi-automatic measuring methods may be used, for example where an operator marks the cut directly on the carcass and this is read optically, or the operator determines the position by means of an electronic marker.

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DK 161794 B

Based on position determinations made, the level of the fixture section as well as the level of the saws at the cutting station or stations is set. The measurements and settings may be performed under the control of a central unit which may comprise a computer and / or PLC control unit 5. These ensure that the necessary timing and control pulses are sent to the system's automatic parts, such as motors and position sensors, and can receive data via a keyboard or a data line that is important, for example, for determining the cut level. This can be data that determines the meat percentage or meat quality of the individual bodies, or data that determines that the bodies must be cut for specific uses or markets.

An embodiment is characterized in that the system comprises one or more horizontally arranged band saws mounted on a carriage movable against the rotation axis of the carousel. The band saws preferably have a blade positioned above the active area so that the carriage can run horizontally towards the center of the carousel, while the saws make a horizontal cut through the carcass.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the cutting means has means for individually adjusting the level of the cutting means. These 20 devices may comprise cylinders whose piston rods are coupled to a position sensor. All cuts can be performed in a cutting station if desired.

After cutting the carcass, the parts can be automatically placed on conveyor belts to transport the pieces of meat to other processing sites.

If the sections are provided with arms, the pieces can be dumped one by one onto a conveyor belt, the arms being swung away one by one away from the meat pieces. A common conveyor belt or conveyor belt can be used for each type of cutting.

Accordingly, under one or more of the sections, a conveyor belt can be found for cut parts. 1

The invention also relates to a method of automatically cutting vertical hanging carcasses in a plant comprising a carousel with fixtures, one or more measuring means for determining positions on a carcass and cutting means placed at the circumference of the carousel, calculated -8-.

DK 161794 B

for cutting a carcass placed in a fixture. The method is characterized in that fixtures are used, each comprising two or more sections, the level of which is individually adjustable, and that the level of the individually adjustable sections of a fixture is adjusted depending on the positions determined by the measuring means. so that the sections to be performed will pass through the formed spaces between the sections, after which the fixing means of the fixture are then activated. By. this approach provides increased assurance of correct placement of the cuts in the carcass.

10 The adjustable sections allow one to move the cuts held in the fixture apart so that the saw blades can be retracted relatively smoothly. This is achieved by an embodiment which is characterized in that the distances between the sections of the fixture are increased after cutting the carcass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which 1 is a plan view of an automatic cut-up of spotted pig slaughter carcasses, and FIG. 2 shows the same side view in section along line A-A in fig. First

The system comprises a carousel 1, which can be rotated by means of a motor by a shaft 2 in the direction of the arrow P. On the carousel there are four fixtures 3 intended for holding a carcass, which is transferred from the guiding rod 4 to a fixture in the first position. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Each fixture comprises three sections 5a, 5b, 5c, which can be moved up and down along two bars 7a, 3b, guided in bushings 8a, 8b, 8c by three hydraulic cylinders 6a, 6b, 6c. The cylinders are connected to position sensors that record the position of the piston rod in the individual cylinders. Each section has a tripod to which are attached shape-bent rods 9. The rods serve as a support surface for a carcass 10 mounted in the fixture.

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To the racks are hinged some arms 11 which can pivot towards and away from a carcass supported on the shape-bent rods 9 by means of cylinders 12.

Above sections 5a, 5b, 5c there is in each fixture a plate 13 which is fixedly mounted on the rods 7a, 7b. To this plate are hinged two arms 14 with a recess in which a hinge inserted on the arm may fall to rest. A cylinder 15 on each arm can swing the arm upwards so that the toe of a carcass 10 suspended in the hinge can be brought into contact with the plate.

10 Around the carousel, at 90 ° angular spaces, four processing stations are arranged. The operation of the plant will be described below in connection with the mention of the stations.

The first station comprises a device 20 arranged under the guide rod 4 for measuring the carcass length. It comprises a plate which rises by means of a motor and a position sensor, and upon contact with the carcass of the carcass or forelimbs, records the carcass height above the floor.

An electronic central unit comprising PLC controllers then ensure that the cylinders 6a, 6b, 6c are activated until the individual sections of the fixture have taken up a height-dependent height position which, after placing the carcass on the fixture, permits its seeding and at the same time provides good restraint.

A not shown assembly pulls the speckled carcass from the guide rod 4 and onto the fixture 3 so that the hinge will lie in the recess on the arms 14 and each of the two carcass halves abuts the fixture-shaped rods 9. The cylinders 15 are actuated , whereby the carcass toes are pushed up against the plate 13 and any bias is corrected. The cylinders 12 are then actuated, whereby the arms 11 pivot into abutment against the carcass and clamp it firmly against the shaped bends. 1 When these work operations are completed, the carousel is turned 90 ° in the direction of the arrow P, so that the carcass is brought to the other work station. This includes means 21 which determine the cut-off position of the -10-

DK 161794 B

setting necessary goals. It may comprise devices known per se for determining targets on both carcass halves. It may comprise devices for measuring the level of each forelimb as well as devices for determining the level of the pubic bone on each of the half-bodies.

When the positioning is done, the electronic control unit calculates the position of the sections.

The incision position is preferably determined from the achieved anatomical targets of the individual carcass, and a program incorporated into the central unit 10 which relates these targets to the correct incision height. The program may also be influenced by data supplied on the individual body and / or data on the slaughterhouse's need for cuts to special markets and / or calculations that determine which cuts provide the best price.

Data can be entered on a keyboard, or they can be automatically fed to the central unit 15 from an apparatus containing this data, for example a measuring apparatus which has previously determined the qualities of the individual carcasses, for example meat-to-meat ratio.

If it turns out that the set level of the fixture section is completely inconsistent with the calculation of the position of the sections, the 20 arms 11 can be swung out if desired and the level of the sections reset.

The carousel is turned 90 ° again so that the carcass is brought to a cutting station. The cutting station comprises two horizontal band saws 22, 23, the level of which during the rotation of the carousel has been set to the cut position, controlled by the central unit. There are some non-25 cylinders shown for this purpose which are connected to position sensors which indicate the position of the piston rods. The saws have an edged blade.

Above the band saws 22,23 there is a fixed-mounted circular saw 24, which is intended for piercing the rear legs of the carcass. This saw and the band saws are mounted on a four-wheel carriage 25. By means of a cylinder 30 26, the rack with the saws can be driven into the restrained carcass while sawing the body along lines I, II and III.

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Once the carriage has reached its forward position, the lower fixture section is lowered by 10 mm and the middle section by 5 mm by actuation of the cylinders 6b, 6c. At the same time, lower the upper band saw 2.5 mm and the lower 7.5 mm. The carriage with the saws is then returned to the starting position by activating the cylinder 26. During the return, the blade of the band saw is released from the cut body because of the height shift just made.

When turning the carousel, the carved carcass held in the fixture is brought to the fourth treatment station. It comprises a fixed conveyor belt 27 and two movable conveyor belts 28,29.

On a signal from the central unit or PLC control, the lower set of cylinders 12 is activated so that the arms 11 of the lower fixture section swing away from the carcass. Hereby the two front pieces fall onto the conveyor belt 27 and are guided by this to subsequent treatment places in the slaughterhouse.

The lower fixture section is then lowered sufficiently for slidable conveyor belt 28 to slide forward and enter below the middle section. As soon as this is done, the cylinders 12 in the middle section are activated, so that the arms 11 here swing away from the carcass.

The cuts of the carcass thereby fall onto the belt 28 and are carried to other places in the slaughterhouse for further processing.

The projected portion of the conveyor belt 28 is then retracted and the middle fixture section is lowered sufficiently for the upper belt 29 to slide in under the upper section. The arms of this pig-25 are retracted by means of the upper set of cylinders 12. The hamlets thereby fall onto the belt 29 and are transported to other treatment sites. The extended portion of the belt 29 is retracted to the initial position.

Instead of the extendable straps, two baffles may be used which project into the sections and guide the spacers and butt pieces onto each of its conveyor belts.

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During the aforementioned delivery procedure, the hinge is removed with the sawed hind legs by means of a non-shown pull-out mechanism. The hind legs are automatically removed from the hinge, which is returned to the butcher's conveyor system for receiving a carcass. j 5 The carousel is turned 90 ° again, bringing the fixture back to its original position. It is ready to receive a new carcase which is pulled from the guide rod 4.

In the plant shown, four carcasses can be processed at a time, one on each fixture.

10 During breaks on the slaughter line, the system can be stopped as needed or even finished carcasses in the system.

Claims (11)

An apparatus for automatically cutting vertical hanging carcasses (10), comprising a carousel (1) with fixtures (3) for carcasses or parts thereof, one or more measuring means (20, 21) for determining 5 positions on a carcass and cutting means (22,23,24) arranged at the circumference of the carousel, for cutting a carcass placed in a fixture, characterized in that each fixture (3) comprises two or more sections (5a, 5b, 5c), the level of which is individually adjustable . Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that each fixture (3) comprises three sections (5a, 5b, 5c), the level of which is individually adjustable. Installation according to claims 1-2, characterized in that at each fixture (3) the carousel (1) has at least one vertical guide rod or rail 15 (7a, 7b), along which the section (5a, 5b, 5c) individually can be pushed up and down, preferably by means of cylinders (6a, 6b, 6c), to whose piston rod is coupled position sensors. Plant according to claims 1-3, characterized in that each section (5a, 5b, 5c) comprises a profiled support surface (9) for the corresponding part of a carcass, preferably along a sectional edge area closest to the section (II). , III) to be performed. System according to claims 1-4, characterized in that each section (5a, 5b, 5c) comprises one or more sets of pivotable arms (11) arranged to hold the corresponding carcass part against the supporting surface (9) of the section, which arms (11) are preferably positioned at the peripheral region or peripheral regions closest to the incision (II, III) to be performed, preferably parallel to this. System according to claims 1-5, characterized in that each fixture (3) comprises a horizontal plate (13) arranged above the sections against which the toes of the rear leg of a carcass can be brought up by means of lifting mechanisms. DK 161794 B -14- System according to claims 1-6, characterized in that it comprises measuring means (21) for automatically measuring the level of the stage, the level of each foreleg and / or the level of the pubic bone of the individual carcass. System according to claims 1-7, characterized in that it comprises one or more horizontally arranged band saws (22, 23) mounted on a carriage movable towards the rotation axis of the carousel (23). System according to claims 1-8, characterized in that one or more 5 of the cutting means has devices for individually adjusting the level of the cutting means. Installation according to claims 1-9, characterized in that, under one or more of the sections (5a, 5b, 5c), a conveyor belt (27, 28, 29) is arranged for cut parts. A method of automatically cutting vertical hanging carcasses in a plant comprising a carousel (1) with fixtures (3), one or more measuring means (20,21) for determining positions on a carcass and cutting means (22,23,24) arranged at the circumference of the carousel intended for cutting a carcass placed in a fixture, characterized by the use of fixtures, each comprising two or more sections, the level of which is individually adjustable and that the level of the individually adjustable sections ( 5a, 5b, 5c) of a fixture (3) are adjusted depending on the positions determined by the measuring means (20, 21) so that the sections (II, III) to be performed 20 pass through the formed gaps between the sections, after which the fixation means (11) of the fixture are activated. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the distances between the sections of the fixture (5a, 5b, 5c) are increased after cutting the carcass.