Driving innovation in next-generation technology for food and general manufacturing industries
Robotics and Automation Systems
Researchers design flexible computing and robotic systems to handle a wide variety of natural product.
Contact Gary McMurray-gary.mcmurray@gtri.gatech.edu
Intelligent Cutting and Deboning System: Initial tests of cutting techniques using a prototype intelligent deboning system demonstrated the systems's ability to recognize bone during a cut and modify its path to avoid bone chips. The goal is to have an automated system that allows for cutting very close to the bone without generating and bone chips – all at line speeds. Plans call for refinement of the prototype to allow for more integrated control testing inclusing the use of 3D imaging technology. The 3D imaging is critical to the placement of the blade to start the cut.
PI: Gary McMurray, 404-407-8844, gary.mcmurray@gtri.gatech.edu
Intelligent Cooking and Freezing System: Research is focused on establishing a framework for testing an intelligent cooking and freezing system to monitor the thermal mass flow moving into a cooking and freezing process. IR and height profiling cameras were integrated into the system, and computer algorithms were developed to identify individual products on a crowded conveyor. Ideally, the system should be able to identify individual products and detect arrangement issues such as overlapping product. Thermal heat and mass transfer models along with the current oven cook profile will then be used to setimate final cook temperature of the product flow by volume.
PI: John Stewart, 404-407-8834, john.stewart@gtri.gatech.edu
FPTD, working with its commercial partners, Cryovac Sealed Air Corporation and CAMotion, Inc., has developed a highspeed, low-cost Automated Case Packing System that addresses the needs of food processing companies. As designed, the robotic casepacker is able to meet the minimum packing needs (58 trays/minute) of the package operations in a food processing plant. FPTD has also developed and installed the peripheral equipment required to bring the empty totes into the work cell and to release the full totes onto a conveyor.
The Automatic Tray Packing System places raw product into trays at speeds and performance levels needed to meet current processing throughput requirements. The system is uniquely designed to withstand highpressure washdown.
Equipment Wash-down Design Analysis: Researchers supported the extended field testing of the Washdown Robot to verify its ability to withstand daily caustic and high-pressure cleanup, operate over extended hours, and accurately place raw product into trays.
PI: Jonathan Holmes, 404-407-8844, jonathan.holmes@gtri.gatech.edu
Research Videos
Automatic Tray Packing System/Washdown Robot
Run Time: 22 sec. - 2.1 Mb