Ovine automation: robotic brisket cutting

The purpose of this paper is to provide details on implementation of inexpensive and accurate automation solution for performing brisket cutting while the sheep/lamb is hanging by forelegs.

The system developed uses 6 Degree of freedom (DOF) industrial manipulator, custom build tool, sterilizer, and other off the shelf products to create a machine, all the parameters in the system are designed to ensure that the highest levels of safety and hygiene standards are met. The primary system has been developed for sheep/lamb.

It is shown that the system developed enhanced both the productivity and quality of the process, while adhering to the hygiene standard in the meat processing plants.

The process of precise brisket can be very challenging; the system designed uses customised tools to provide a good model for the trajectory planning.

The system developed uses statistical tools to calculate the correct trajectories.