June 22, 2020
Marel's ACM-NT Compact provides easy entry to poultry cut-up automation
Marel's ACM-NT Compact automated cut-up solution can fit in any poultry processing plant to fulfil all cut-up needs, the company said.
"In today's tough times, there are various reasons for poultry processors to reconsider the number of operatives in their cut-up department and think about automating the process," Marel's press release stated. "When a market -- wherever in the world -- gradually moves from whole bird to chicken parts, the volume of cut-up parts might be getting too large to handle manually, also in terms of labor availability. This is the perfect moment to take the first step in cut-up automation."
Marel's ACM-NT Compact is described as a "slim fit" cut-up system that will match various budgets of operation. Making use of ACM-NT's proven breast, leg and wing cutting modules, the customised system can make any high-grade chicken part customers ask for.
Flexible set-up with countless options
Each individual processor can set up within ACM-NT Compact cut-up system to fit requirements in production. The system's flexible layout allows to head out in all directions.
"It all depends on what kind of end products are to be produced. It's possible to focus on wing products, leg products or breast products. Once the appropriate modules that comply with customers' end products demands have been chosen, ACM-NT Compact does what it needs to do and fulfills all product needs, the options are countless," the company elaborated.
While performing the highest percentage of A-grade cuts in the industry, the system can cut any specific chicken parts based on demand. This includes demand by quick service restaurant (QSR) customers, who increasingly ask for chicken products accurately cut into bone-in pieces. With the appropriate modules, ACM-NT Compact is able to produce these pieces, exactly according to the specifications of the QSR chain.
Always fit in
ACM-NT Compact takes into account the available space in a processing plant. The system offers three standardised overhead steel frames, all with a small footprint. Even when space in the factory is at a premium, ACM-NT Compact is still able to fit in.
Shackling products and, when necessary, bypassing modules are simple manual processes with ACM-NT Compact. The maximum capacity depends on shackling speed, usually 6,500 products per hour.
Full-blown solution
"A first investment in an ACM-NT Compact system – custom-designed to match every budget – will immediately give access to first-class automated cut-up, making use of the same modules as a full-blown ACM-NT solution," Marel said.
"If customer demand increases even more, upgrading is easy with gradual investments in time. The modular system can grow from straightforward production of chicken parts to a powerful in-line cut-up solution, achieving multiple cuts intelligently and simultaneously without manual interference."
- Marel
