Automating rack fat cap and flap removal

03 August 2016
Focus area: Advanced manufacturing
Program stream: Hands-off processing
Project number: 2016-1120
An automated Fat Cap Removal Machine (FCRM), currently being developed in New Zealand by Southern Engineering Solutions (SES), was trialled in this project. The aim of the trial was to assess the potential of the automated FCRM to reduce labour costs and improve Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) and product quality / consistency.

The automated FCRM was installed in January 2016 and operated for 25,852 cycles during the trial. The average load and cycle times were estimated at 5.55 and 5.45 seconds on average, respectively. Compared with the manual fat cap removal, which takes approximately 30 seconds for a pair of racks, it was estimated that a cost saving of up to $133,000 are achievable. 

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