Introduction of Beef Rolls Automatic Sorting and Packaging Line

This is the beef rolls automatic sorting and packaging line developed and produced by Guangzhou Utrust Packaging Equipment Co.,Ltd. This packing line starts from cutting beef rolls, goes through beef roll sorting, robot arm sorting into trays, film sealing, and the inspections like weight checking, X-ray detecting, metal detecting in the middle process, as well as the final cartoning and palletizing. The entire production process has achieved full automation.

The contradiction between the stable and sufficient supply of high-quality beef rolls, high demand, slow manual operations, and increasingly high labor costs has become a huge challenge for customers.

To solve this problem, the team of Guangzhou Utrust Packaging Equipment Co.,Ltd has developed this unique beef roll sorting and packing line. This article will introduce the various processes and equipment functions of the beef roll sorting packing line, so that readers can understand its principles and operating methods.

Firstly, the beef rolls cutting machine is one of the important equipment in the beef roll sorting packing line. The beef rolls cutting machine cuts large chunks of frozen meat bricks into meat rolls. To achieve perfect results, frozen beef chunks need to be cut in a temperature range of minus 4-10 degrees Celsius in order to automatically roll smoothly. The meat cut by the beef rolls cutting machine will fall onto the conveyor belt and be transported to the corresponding fixture position. At the same time, the Tray denester will lower the tray and move it to the sorting robot at the same time as the conveyor belt where the meat roll is placed.

The next step is the delta robot sorting the beef rolls into trays. We used a 3 axis delta robot, combined with the selected gripper after multiple research and testing, to finally successfully grasp the beef roll accurately and neatly place it in the corresponding target tray. The operation of the robot arm is controlled by a computer program, which can allocate beef rolls to different trays based on pre-set sorting standards. However, the surface of frozen beef rolls is rough, with ice crystals, and is prone to becoming damp and soft, which makes many robotic gripping tools unsuitable. After considering various conditions, researching various methods, and conducting countless tests, the engineers of Utrustpack finally found the stable grip method they have now.

The weight checker is located next to the delta robot, and its main function is to detect the weight of each tray of beef rolls. If the weight of a tray of beef rolls is below or exceeds the preset standard, the weight checker will automatically alarm and remove it in the next step.

There is no problem with weight checking, and the plastic tray containing the beef roll will enter the sealing packaging process. The tray sealer uses heat sealing technology to bond the plastic film with the surface of the plastic tray, thereby isolating the beef rolls inside the tray from external environmental pollution and ensuring the safety and hygiene of the meat rolls. Firstly, the operator places the plastic tray on the workbench of the tray sealer and adjusts the sealing parameters, such as temperature, pressure, etc. Then, place the plastic film above the product, and the sealing head of the tray sealer will heat the film to a certain temperature, making it soft and able to adhere to the surface of the product. Finally, the sealing head will press down on the product, tightly bonding the film to the surface of the product and completing the packaging process.

A metal detector is a device used to detect metal foreign objects inside beef rolls. During the inspection, the beef roll passes through a strong magnetic field on the conveyor belt of the metal detector. If there are metal foreign objects in the beef roll, an induced current will be generated in the magnetic field, triggering the travel switch and issuing an alarm. Meanwhile, unqualified beef rolls will be ejected to the designated location for processing.

X-ray detector is another device that detects the presence of other foreign objects inside beef rolls. It utilizes the characteristics of X-rays to penetrate beef rolls and illuminate their interior. If there are foreign objects present, X-ray detector will use image processing technology to identify and mark them as unqualified products, and eject them to the designated location for processing.

The case erector is a device used to open cartons, which is controlled by a program to open and move the cartons to the packing position.

The robotic cartoning machine also uses a 4 axis delta robot, which uses suction cups to pack the trays with beef rolls into groups of every 2 trays. They are sucked and moved into the cartons, stably and neatly arranged, and then handed over to the automatic carton sealer for sealing operations.

When the carton comes out of the case packer, a robotic palletizing is needed to sort and stack the sealed cartons together. Due to the need to consider the load, we use this 6-axis robotic arm to stack the cartons in a 2*3*3 stacking method and then hand them over to the automatic pallet wrapping machine.

Finally, the pallet wrapping machine automatically wraps the sealed cartons with plastic film, which not only ensures the sealing of the product, but also protects against moisture, dust, and collisions for subsequent storage and transportation. It greatly improves production efficiency, reduces manual intervention, and lays the foundation for achieving the goal of modern production.

Until now, the work of the entire beef roll sorting and packaging production line is completed.

Safety is the primary consideration when operating a beef roll sorting line. Operators must strictly abide by the operating procedures of the equipment to avoid safety accidents. For example, beef rolls cutting machine are not allowed to extend hands into the machine during operation; the delta robot must pay attention to the surrounding environment when moving to avoid collisions; the operators of metal detectors and  X-ray detector must undergo professional training to ensure effective detection, etc.

Utrust Pack is not satisfied with just delivering set of equipment to customers. While we are engaged in intense R&D and production, we are still thinking about how to make it more convenient and safer for customers to use.You can take a look at how we handle some details:

For example, 

No welding spot can be seen on the surface of the device;

The circuits inside the device will be neatly arranged;

Use outer hexagonal screws instead of inner hexagonal screws to prevent meat foam from remaining in the gaps and causing contamination;

All movable workpieces are easily disassembled;

The corners have been smoothed, or baffles and partitions have been added;

Kindly remind are provided on matters that need attention when using.

Utrustpack has always implemented the manufacturing of this production line to extremely high standards. The final result did not disappoint everyone's expectations and efforts, and the entire production line passed the strict CSA certification.

Now this beef roll sorting and packaging line has been delivered. Together with our customers, we continue to carry out R&D and innovation, constantly improve our equipment.