SYSTEM FOR CUTTING AND UNLOADING PORTIONS

摘要

A system (100) for cutting work product (104) into portions (P) and unloading the portions includes a conveyance system (102) for carrying the workpieces and portions, as well as a scanner (110) for scanning the work products. A cutter system (120) composed of cutter assemblies (122) carried by carrier systems (124) may be arranged in an array or series along the conveyance system for cutting, trimming, and portioning the work products (104) into end pieces (P) of desired sizes or other physical parameters. An unloading system (130) composed of one or more unloading assemblies/units/apparatus (132) are carried by the same carrier systems (124) used to carry the cutter assemblies (122) to pick up the portioned pieces (P) and either move them to a different location or replace the portioned workpieces back onto the conveyance system after the trim of the workpiece has been removed.

主权项

1. A system for cutting portions from a workpiece and then unloading the cut portions to separate the cut portions from the remaining workpiece trim, comprising:
(a) a conveyance system for conveying the workpiece; (b) a scanning system for scanning the workpiece; (c) a cutting system for cutting portions from the workpiece; (d) a carrier system for moving the cutting system laterally and longitudinally of the conveyance system along cutting paths to cut the workpiece into desired shapes and/or sizes; (e) an unloading system operatively associated with the carrier system used to carry the cutting system, said unloading system operable to remove the cut portions from the conveyance system; and (f) a control system processor operable to:
(i) process the scanning information data and portion specification settings to determine what cutting paths are required to achieve desired shape and/or size portions from the workpieces;(ii) direct the cutting system to perform the required cuts; and(iii) direct the unloading system to pick up the cut portions and deposit the cut portions in desired locations based on the known location of the cut portions as determined in the scanning and cutting steps.