Bone detector

The SensorX pinbone-detection system developed by Iceland-based Marel Food Systems automatically analyses fish blocks for bone content.

In operation, batches of blocks of fish pass through the unit where it is scanned for bones using an imaging system that uses low-energy X-rays. Bones and bone fragments are then graphically shown in colour on the equipment’s display.

If a bone is spotted by the vision system, a signal is then sent to a discharge unit that automatically removes any batch containing bones from the material flow.

The batches containing detected bones are then delivered to an inspection station that comes equipped with its own high-resolution display terminal, which highlights the bone location in colour.

Using this as a guide, an operator removes the remaining bones, and places the material on a conveyor that returns the batch to the SensorX, which performs another inspection to determine if all bones were removed.

The system was originally developed for fish fillets, and has been successfully operating in processing plants for over three years.