X-ray Guided Cutting Machine

Turning Point in Fish Processing

The Valka X-ray Guided Cutting Machine automatically removes pin bones and cuts to the desired portions.

The machine uses combination of an X-ray and 3D image processing system together with robot controlled water jets to locate and cut pin bone and portions with great accuracy.

Benefits > Reduces the amount of labor

needed for trimming

> Increases yield by minimizing the bone off cut, typically the V-cut

> Increases the yield into higher value products, commonly by maximizing the size of the loins

> Ensures bone free products

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The Valka X-ray Guided Cutting Machine gives processors an opportunity to substantially improve throughput and yield using fewer workers when trimming and portioning fish fillets

Pre-trim

Remove blood stains & spots, parasites & filleting defects

X-Ray Scan

X-ray camera scans the fillet and locates the bones

Capacity & yieldThe machine belt speed can be up to 460 mm/sec. The throughput of the machine is calculated as a function of the weight of the whole fish. For a 3 kg gutted Cod the machine capacity is about 2.000 kg per hour. See graph below.

The pin bone cut-off in Cod is around 5-6% of the fillet size. The cutting proximity to the bones can be adjusted to cut closer and hence increase the yield and furthermore the expected yield will increase when cutting at an angle is available.

Pre-trimming line With speed controlled filleting machines the system ensures that each trimmer has only few fillets at a time and the first fillet in goes first out. If a fillet does not need any trimming it goes directly to the cutting machine.

This way it is ensured that each fillet goes from filleting to packing in the shortest possible time, thus keeping the temperature down with minimum human handling.

Scan to see the machine

in action

Minimum handling and short time from filleting to packing returns excellent material quality

Key Features > X-ray camera detecs bones

down to 0.2mm in size

> Automatically cuts out pin bone and to the desired portions

> Precise cutting and uniform portions

> Greatly improves product handling as all cuts are made in a single machine

Measuring

Vision system measures the fillet density for cutting based on weight

Portion Calculation

Analysis software calculates the optimal portioning

Water Cut

Water jets cut out the pin bone and portions

Throughput as a function of weight

X-RayThe X-ray system uses low energy X-ray technology which gives the highest contrast possible and more reliable detection of small bones than with conventional technology.

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00 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5 5 5,5 6 6,5Weight of gutted Cod

In a recent interview HB Grandi’s Production manager Torfi Þorsteinsson, said. “We use the machine to cut out pin bones from Redfish fillets. The fillets are small and up until this day the majority has been sold with bones as it has been too expensive to manually cut out the pin bone. It requires too much manual labor per kilo and the chances are the yield is not good enough due to the small size”. Torfi Þorsteinsson Production manager at HB Grandi

„We will use the Valka Cutting machine to cut out pin bones and portions from skin-on and skinless Haddock and Cod fillets. We are very pleased with the performance and the flexibility that the machine gives us. Furthermore we were impressed by how quick and smooth the whole installation and start-up process was”. Gunnar Holm - Managing Director Gryllefjord Seafood AS

“ Breakthrough in fish processing About ValkaValka specializes in developing and marketing of equipment and automation solutions for the fish processing industry.

The company offers a range of equipment and software designed to greatly increase productivity, improve yield and maximize accuracy for fish processors small and large. From a single machine, or software module, to your complete system solution.

Using only high quality material and components our products are created with quality craftsmanship aimed at improve processing and product quality.

Vikurhvarf 8203 Kopavogur - Iceland

T: (+354) 519 2300F: (+354) 519 2399

sales@valka.iswww.valka.is

Portions Constraints Results Value (kg) Value1 Tail 90-105g 93g - 8.2% 4 0.372 Loin Maximize 638g - 56,5% 8 5.103 Belly portion 1 110-135g 133g - 11.8% 5 0.674 Belly portion 2 60-150g if possible 112g - 9.9% 5 0.565 Belly flap Minimum 94g - 8.3% 3 0.286 Off cut 3mm from bone 60g - 5.3% 1 0.06

1130g - 100% 7.04

Uniform portions The system analyzes each fillet and cuts highly uniform portions in relation to size, weight and thick ness according to your specification. Price is set on every portion and the system optimizes the value of every fillet.

Multiple cutting patterns or programs can be defined and different size of fillets can be cut into different patterns. The user can easily switch between programs.

The table shows the specified portion cut for the above fillet as well as other constraints and a relative price for each portion.

This pattern generated a value of 7.04 which is the optimal for this fillet. The loin is maximized as it is the most valuable portion and all constraints are met.

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34 5

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Get In Touch Contact us for more information and find out how the machine fits your processing needs.

sales@valka.is+354 519 2300

Table above: Results from cutting an 1130g Cod fillet.

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