Cut to the next generation of whitefish processing

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Marel says its new FleXicut trimming robot is set to reshape the whitefish industry. Removing whitefish bones traditionally requires a lot of skilled labour so automation cuts labour costs and improves handling and yields.

FleXicut incorporates two critical processing steps in one machine: locating the pinbones, and cutting/trimming to remove them. The robot uses high-resolution X-ray detection, image control, and a water-jet cutting mechanism for removing pinbones.

“Determining the orientation of the bones is critical to improving the yield,” says Marel’s director of product development Kristjan Hallvardsson. Cutting out less flesh on the V-cut will leave more on the loin. “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.”

Removing bones with water jets enables a range of cutting patterns, while angle cutting follows the lines of the bone frame closely, thereby further reducing pinbone for significant yield gains in the loin.

Contact: Marel