The cattle loin-dropping task consists of cutting the sirloin from the round. This cut is very important, as there is a large difference of value between the two parts. This machine automates the cutting operation with a proper carcass stabilization and cut path location.

At the entrance, the half-carcass is positioned on the back conveyor for stabilization. The companion conveyor then takes control of the gambrel to obtain a constant speed and reduce any jerking motions. The half-carcass is moved through the machine and the hindquarter is scanned by our vision system. The software analyzes it to find different parameters (aitch and tail bones position, orientation, right or left, etc.).

The automation system calculates the optimized pattern desired by the customer and sends it to the robot. A band saw, maintained by the robot, is then moved into the hindquarter to cut it into two pieces. The loin falls on the conveyor and goes to the loin line, while the round continues on the main chain.