Abstract: A computer controlled method and apparatus for meat slabbing according to updated information from the meat product and/or the slab cut from the meat product. Such information may include the weight and fat content of the cut slab. This information may be used to reoptimize the slabbing of the meat product and also may be used to further process the cut slab. Such processing might include marking the location of fat to be trimmed, trimming the fat from the slab, portioning the slab and sorting the slab in accordance with preselected parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing high speed interruption of the flow of a very fine, high pressure, high speed water jet 12 of the type used to cut foods, paper, and other goods. The water jet 12 is interrupted by a pivotal blocking bar 22 within a blocker housing. The blocking bar 22 is pivoted in a collar 24b to a first desired position out of the path of water jet 12 or to a second desired position for blocking the path of water jet 12. A pivot arm 28, controlled by an output shaft 30 of a rotary actuator 32, controls the rotation of the blocking bar 22. A high pressured airflow is introduced into the device for controlling the exhaustion of blocked water within the device and for cooling the rotary actuator 32.

Abstract: An actuator apparatus (10) includes a transverse support structure (14) for guiding a transverse carriage (16) therealong, with the carriage being powered by a remotely located rotational actuator (20) through an endless belt (80) secured to the carriage (16). A second carriage (26) moves along a longitudinal support structure (24) cantilevered transversely from carriage (16). The second carriage is powered by a remotely located second rotational actuator (28) acting through a second endless belt (150). A working tool (30) is mounted on the second carriage (26) for high speed bi-directional movement.

Abstract: A sound reduction system (40) reduces noise generated by a fluid cutting jet (10). The fluid cutting jet moves along a predetermined path of travel to pass the stream across another object (14) for cutting the object. The system includes a tank (42) for collecting the liquid stream from the fluid cutting jet. A plurality of tubes (46) are supported in the tank for directing the liquid stream into the tank. The tubes are arranged side-by-side in the tank along the path of travel of the stream. The tubes are positioned in the tank with their upper collection ends (54) extending above the tank and their lower drainage ends (52), directed towards the bottom of the tank. A cover (64) caps the collection ends of the tubes. A thin aperture (63) is formed in the cover to allow entry of the liquid stream into the tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting workpieces (36) moving along a path relative to the apparatus, including a guide arm (20), a tool mount (24), and two rotation mechanisms (28), (30), is provided. The guide arm (20) includes mounted links (40), (46), and at least two intermediate links (42), (44), pivotably connected end-to-end to each other to define a multiple bar linkage arrangement. The tool mount (24) is attached to the guide arm (20) at a connection of two of the intermediate links. The rotation mechanisms (28), (30) are in communication with the links (40), (46), for pivoting the links (40), (46) to cause movement of the intermediate links (42), (44), further causing the desired movement of the tool mount (24) in the path of the moving workpiece (36). Additional components include a second guide arm (22) positioned on the opposite side of the workpiece (36). The tool mount (24) is elongated to hold multiple nozzles (58) and is pivotably connected between the two guide arms (20), (22).

Abstract: A method and system for weighing an object as it is carried on a conveyor past an x-ray source. X-rays from the x-ray source pass through the object, are attenuated in proportion to the mass of the object through which they pass, and impinge upon an x-ray detector array. X-ray detector array includes a layer of scintillating material that produces light in response to the intensity of the x-rays and a plurality of photodiodes to detect the light. The intensity of the x-rays received at the x-ray detector array is indicated by signals produced by the photodiodes, which are periodically scanned by a processor. The photodiode signals are each converted to a value representing the average areal density for a volume element extending above the photodiode into the object. Using the average areal density for each volume element and the size of each volume element, the processor determines the mass of the volume element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a predetermined repetitive pattern in at least one piece of material (14). The apparatus includes a conveyor belt (12) for advancing the material (14) to be cut. A first drive mechanism, disposed above the conveyor belt, includes an endless belt (28) trained over two spindles (30, 32) powered by a servomotor (34). To reciprocate in a direction transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt, at least one fluid jet cutter (16) is attached to the forward span of the drive belt (28) so as to move with the forward span of the drive belt. Correspondingly, at least one fluid jet cutter (18) is attached to the rearward span of the drive belt so as to move with the rearward span of the drive belt (28). The fluid jet cutters are carried by carriages (20, 22) which ride along tracks disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the drive belt.

Abstract: Food products, such as fish fillets, chicken fillets and many others, are cut to predetermined portion sizes of equal weight and volume, or to predetermined profile shapes, by moving the food products on a conveyor, scanning them as then move through a shadow line with a camera capable of providing a programmed computer with dimensional data, and utilizing the computer to control the operation of a plurality of high pressure water jet cutters to cut the food products to reduced sizes as dictated by the computer program.

Abstract: Food products, such as fish fillets, chicken fillets, and many others, are cut to predetermined portion sizes of equal weight and volume, or to predetermined profile shapes, by moving the food products on a conveyor, scanning them as they move through a shadow line with a camera capable of providing a programmed computer with dimensional data, and utilizing the computer to control the operation of a plurality of high pressure water jet cutters to cut the food products to reduced sizes as dictated by the computer program.

Abstract: An anodized article and method of absorbing solar energy comprises an alloy layer of aluminum containing up to 18% by weight silicon having a surface matrix layer of aluminum oxide and crystals of silicon dioxide grown from the alloy extending through, bound in and supported by the aluminum oxide matrix. The anodized article may be made by etching the alloy layer to expose virgin alloy and particularly silicon and electrochemically anodizing the etched alloy to grow silicon dioxide crystals and to form an aluminum oxide supporting matrix around the crystals.