Apparatus and method for portioning and automatically off-loading portioned workpieces

摘要

A conveyor ( 22 ) moves workpieces (WP) past a scanning station ( 40 ) to ascertain one or more physical parameters of the workpiece (WP) and to a portioning station ( 24 ) wherein the workpiece (WP) is portioned into desired smaller portions. Thereafter, the conveyor ( 22 ) carries a portioned workpiece (WP) to an unloading station ( 26 ) where one or more pickup devices ( 28 ) removes specific portioned workpieces (PP) from the conveyor and places the portioned workpieces onto take away conveyors ( 30 ) for other locations remote from the first conveyor. A control system, composed in part of a computer ( 42 ), keeps track of the locations of the workpieces (WP) on the conveyor ( 22 ) and also optionally on the take away conveyor ( 30 ) so that portioned pieces (PP) are placed at specific desired locations remote from the conveyor ( 22 ) by the pickup devices ( 28 ).