Researchers develop intelligent cutting and deboning system

The Intelligent Cutting and Deboning System is said to employ a 3D vision system that determines where to cut a particular bird. The device automatically performs precision cuts that optimise yield, while also greatly reducing the risk of bone fragments in the finished product.

‘Each bird is unique in its size and shape,’ said Gary McMurray, chief of GTRI’s Food Processing Technology Division. ‘So we have developed the sensing and actuation needed to allow an automated deboning system to adapt to the individual bird, as opposed to forcing the bird to conform to the machine.’

In operation, a bird is positioned in front of the vision system prior to making a cut, explained GTRI research engineer Michael Matthews. The vision system works by making 3D measurements of various location points on the outside of the bird. Then, using these points as inputs, custom algorithms define a proper cut by estimating the positions of internal structures such as bones and ligaments.