Cutting/portioning using combined x-ray and optical scanning

Abstract

A processing system () and corresponding method () are provided for processing workpieces (WP), including food items, to cut and remove undesirable components from the food items and/or portion the food items while being conveyed on a conveyor system (). An X-ray scanning station () is located on an upstream conveyor section () to ascertain size and/or shape parameters of the food items as well as the location of any undesirable components of the food items, such as bones, fat or cartilage. Thereafter the food items are transferred to a downstream conveyor () at which is located an optical scanner () to ascertain the size and/or shape parameters of the food items. The results of the X-ray and optical scanning are transmitted to a processor () to confirm that the food item scanned by the optical scanner is the same as that previously scanned by the X-ray scanner. Once this identity is confirmed, if required, the data from the X-ray scanner is translated or transformed onto the data from the optical scanner. Such translation may include one or more of the shifting of the food items in the X and/or Y direction, rotation of the food item, scaling of the size of the food item, and sheer distortion of the food item. Next, the location of the undesirable material within the food item is mapped from the X-ray scanning data onto the optical scanning data. Thereafter, the undesirable material is removed by a cutter(s) (). The food item may also (or alternatively) been portioned by the cutter(s) ().