Automated Gas De-pelting

Description
This robotic gas de-pelting machine automatically injects gas in through the hocks of both hind legs of ovine carcasses, hence automating some of the current de-pelting task where several people are required to gas de-pelt the rear quarters or the forequarters of the animal.

Benefits
The process has significant potential  to:  

• Reduce or eliminate contamination on the rear legs of sheep 
• Remove the need to do wide/narrow transfer before final pulling. As well as saving one manual task, it reduces the chance for fore-end contamination when the hocks are handled 
• Reduce the load during final pulling, reduce pelt strain and hence improve pelt quality 
• Be expanded to allow gas de-pelting of the fore-end of the carcass. This will probably make flaying easier, reduce fore-end contamination and complement the automation of other pelt removal tasks
• Reduce repetitive strain injuries

Availability
The prototype automated gas de-pelter has been developed in collaboration with the New Zealand company Industrial Research Limited (IRL).

Prototype units have been trialled in both New Zealand and Australian processing plants, and these indicated that more research and further modification for Australian processing conditions is required before a commercial unit would be available.

More Information
The technique of gas injection between the pelt and the carcass has been known to assist pelt removal in the processing of animals for many years. However, as a general rule slaughter lines do not gas de-pelt due to the expense of doing it manually. In a manual process at three to four people are required per carcass per shift to gas de-pelt the rear quarters or the forequarters of the animal.