Bandsaw Automated Portioning Saw System and Method of Use
Patent Number: US 11498138 Grant Date: 2022-11-15 Filing Date: 2020-01-23
Overview
This patent protects a production-ready automated bandsaw system that combines vision, weighing, and closed-loop motion control to deliver precise, weight‑based portioning of whole cuts. Filed on January 23, 2020 and granted on November 15, 2022, the disclosure describes a controller running a device application that integrates camera-based measurement and a scale to calculate volume, density, and the precise cut depth needed to yield target portion weights. Inventors based in Amarillo, TX designed a meat positioning assembly with a pusher and V‑shaped tray that moves in multiple axes to align a cutting plane for a bandsaw blade, enabling repeatable slices while the controller updates weight and position in real time. The specification emphasizes practical details—sensor fusion, axis motion of the tray, and methods for converting desired cut‑weight fractions into cut depth—that demonstrate high technical rigor and manufacturability.
The firm’s drafting captures both mechanical and software control innovations, enabling strong claim coverage across sensing, computation, and actuation aspects of automated portioning equipment.
Key Features
- Weight-driven volume and cut‑depth calculation using camera and scale data
- Measured, repeatable alignment of cutting plane via pusher and multi‑axis tray
- Integrated controller running a device application for sensor fusion and motion control
- Designed for bandsaw portioning with conveyored output for production lines
- Claims cover methods for converting desired portion weight into precise cut depth
This invention advances automation and quality control in food processing, reducing waste and improving throughput. Its technical approach is broadly relevant to robotics, industrial automation, and computerized portioning systems.
Invention Details
Abstract: An automated saw for assessing an uncut meat and calculating one or more of a cut depth and cutting one or more cut portions. The automated saw comprises a bandsaw blade, a controller, a visual sensor and a meat positioning assembly. The controller comprises a computer comprising an address space, and a processor, a memory. The controller stores a device application in the memory and runs the device application on the processor. The meat positioning assembly comprises a pusher and a tray configured to move the uncut meat relative to the bandsaw blade. The tray is configured to hold the uncut meat. The pusher is configured to slide the uncut meat through the tray. The meat positioning assembly is configured to move the tray in a forward direction and a rearward direction relative to the bandsaw blade.
Summary of the Invention: An automated saw for assessing an uncut meat and calculating one or more of a cut depth and cutting one or more cut portions. Said automated saw comprises a bandsaw blade, a controller, a visual sensor and a meat positioning assembly. Said meat positioning assembly comprises a pusher and a tray configured to move said uncut meat relative to said bandsaw blade. Said tray is configured to hold said uncut meat. Said pusher is configured to slide said uncut meat through said tray. Said meat positioning assembly is configured to move said tray in a forward direction and a rearward direction relative to said bandsaw blade. Said uncut meat comprises a first end and a second end. Said first end of said uncut meat comprises a surface area and a diameter. Said uncut meat comprises an uncut meat weight. Said one or more cut portions comprise at least a first cut portion of said uncut meat. Said controller is configured for calculating a fraction comprising a cut portion weight divided by said uncut meat weight and multiplying said fraction with an uncut meat length to determine said cut depth, activating said meat positioning assembly to align a cutting plane at said cut depth from said first end, cutting said first cut portion from said uncut meat with said bandsaw blade, and repeating these steps as required to separate said one or more cut portions from said uncut meat.
Patent Document
Related: Computer Science & Software | Mechanical Engineering | Robotics & Automation | Food Processing | Robotics | Software And Electronics | Amarillo, Texas | Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney