June 22, 2012

Cabinplant reveals Three-in-One Sardine processing innovation

Press release

Cabinplant has gone in a new direction with the prize-winning Robot Trimming and Packing Line, which will select, process and pack foodstuffs in one continuous process.

The production of sardines in can traditionally consisted of three stages. Cabinplant's new Robot Trimming and Packing Line has converted these three stages into one continuous process at a stroke.

The company has developed a solution that reduces the labour and time required in production. The sardines are placed on a conveyor and then passed under a camera that photographs each individual fish. A powerful processor calculates where to cut each individual sardine and calculates the area of the piece that is to go in the can. A cutting edge and vacuum suction remove the head, tail and entrails, so that only the section for packing remains. Based on their weight, the sardines will then be sorted by size and matched up so that the desired total weight of the can is achieved, at the same time the sardines are easier to pack and look nicer. The sardines are packed in can in the traditional crossways manner, all in one process.

This innovation has been developed in close cooperation with Greek producer, North Aegean Sea Canneries. Cabinplant began development three years ago in close cooperation with the customer, which also helped with co-financing, a prototype that had one camera and one robot. The prototype was meticulously tested by North Aegean Sea Canneries and was subsequently developed into two machines, each with seven robots and a camera, for the Greek customer.

Cabinplant has been granted with a patent for the robot trimming and packing line in the US. The patent is still pending in Europe.