Iceland-based food processing solutions provider Marel has unveiled FleXicut, a new whitefish processing line for bone detection and removal.
Unlike the traditional process, the automated equipment has been developed to eliminate the need for skilled labor as well as improve product handling and yields, the company said.
Incorporating two critical processing steps, the machine is claimed to locate pinbones precisely, and cut/trim to remove the bones. It features X-ray detection, image control, and a water-jet cutting mechanism for removing pinbones. The machine also has a built-in blade cutter, to optionally cut the tail piece.
Marel product development director Kristjan Hallvardsson said, "Determining the orientation of the bones is critical to improving the yield.
"At present, 6-10% of the fillet is removed manually by the V-cut to take out the pinbones. The goal is to achieve as much as 2-4% improvement in yield, which represents significant added value for our customers."
The product allows processors to produce bone-free products and launch new products such as skin-on loins and baby fillets.
FleXicut is part of an ongoing project called APRICOT (Automatic Pinbone Removal In COd and whiTefish), which is a collaboration between Marel, Sintef, Norway Seafoods, and Faroe Origin.
