The range of machines allows meat processors to buy a complete, integrated system in one go, helping to streamline their production lines and achieve a more efficient output, according toDenmark-based Scanvaegt.
The company claims its ScanTray, which is part of the system, is the world's first machine able to batch to fixed weight while automatically placing the product in a tray at the same time.
"It is a streamlined process from a product is being cut, batched and automatically tray packed after which the tray is sealed, labelled and packed," the company claims.
The ScanTray makes it possible for processors to pack fresh boneless portions of pork, beef and other meat into finished packs of various portions into one tray.
As part of the case-ready system, ScanTray can produce up to 40 trays a minute - at a minimum average of 180 portions per minute, the company claims.
Six other machines form part of the system. The ScanBatcher 4700 is part of the company's new grader series. The grader is suitable for batching poultry, meat and fish.
Scanvaegt said it has made it easier for the machine to be cleaned and added other features, including programming access. This involves online monitoring of production and a graphical viewing ofdata. Remote control is available via an Ethernet connection.
The ScanPortioner B36 has been upgraded to perform at a higher capacity, with lower giveaway and better yield, the company claims.
The portion cutter provides higher cutting capacities than the previous upgrade. The single lane machine can cut a pork loin to 150g chops at a rate of 4.5 tons per hour. The B36 operates withoutthe use of water.
The cutter can be used for cutting fresh meat, turkey and other difficult products into portions of fixed weight and length. Scanvaegt claims the portion cutter has the lowest give-away in theindustry.
ScanTracer is a cut-up and deboning table for meat products providing an integrated system for improving yield, product quality, hygiene and traceability at all stages of the cut-up and deboningprocess.
The system provides a uniform cutting pattern by use of video and pictures, which ensures the same value for weight. Users have full traceability and online yield control regarding both individualtrimming operator and batch.
All meat is cut to consumer order or stock. The system decreases the processing time for the whole animal, amounting to a total of two to three minutes per animal over competiting systems,Scanvaegt claims.
The company's ScanPlant is a manufacturing execution system designed to fit the specific needs of the meat industry. Scanvaegt calls it the "missing link" between the overall enterpriseresource planning (ERP) system and the shop-floor data collection process.
"Where many meat processing companies today have implemented very fragmented, inaccurate and non-integrated shop-floor control systems, ScanPlant is an answer to implement a fullyintegrated and accurate control and manufacturing system," the company claims. "While ERP-systems are mainly designed to provide companies with financial control, the ScanPlant systemis designed to provide meat processing companies with reliable, real-time and accurate data on the shop-floor operation."
The last piece in the overall system is the ScanWi 411 weighing indicator, an upgrade that can be used for different floor- and bench scale tasks.
It can check that a product is within accepted underweight or overweight limits using a colour display. It can be used for packing products to target weight with upper or lower limits. It can beused for the manual grading of products by weight in up to nine weight zones.
The ScanWi 411 filter stabilising software makes the scales very fast and steady, even in the presence of vibrations from a table or other machines that would normally make scales unstable, thecompany claims.