The technology, developed by Intelligent Robotics in partnership with processors Kilcoy Global Foods and Australian Meat Group, has now been trialled under commercial conditions at both KGF’s Kilcoy facility and AMG’s Cootamundra plant in NSW.
Beef scribing is the first step in carcase breakdown and is traditionally one of the most highly skilled, physically demanding and safety-critical tasks on the processing floor.
The AI-enabled system uses machine vision and robotics to identify cutting points and perform scribing with a high degree of consistency, removing the need for manual saws.
AMPC advanced manufacturing program manager Stuart Shaw said the completion of trials at two very different processing sites provides valuable insight into how the technology performs across operating environments.
“Having two variants of the development in full production at both Kilcoy and AMG gives the industry much clearer visibility on performance, integration requirements and what adoption could look like in practice for processors considering automation in safety-critical or highly skilled roles to improve efficiencies,” Mr Shaw said.
At AMG, the system has been running for around nine months at the company’s Cootamundra facility, which can accommodate advanced processing technologies such as automated beef scribing.
AMG managing director Gilbert Cabral said the early results were encouraging, particularly in terms of improved accuracy and yield, noting that the project was currently nine months into an 18-month trial period.
“The trial is at its midpoint,” Mr Cabral said.
“We moved forward based on the potential yield benefits, and the initial results are already demonstrating that we can achieve significantly greater detail in our specifications.
“As the trial continues, further data collection and analysis will build on these outcomes.”
At Kilcoy Global Foods, the technology has been operating for a longer period and has provided the company with the confidence to invest in further automation initiatives.
KGF Australia president Jiah Falcke said the consistency delivered by automated scribing has delivered clear operational benefits downstream.
“More than 90 per cent of carcases are now being cut to within millimetres of the target line, a critical step in setting the boning room up for success,” Mr Falcke said.
“It reduces variation, improves ergonomics for downstream teams and ensures customers receive product that consistently meets specifications.
“Our customers open their boxes and notice the difference, we’re getting great feedback.”
An independent third-party cost benefit analysis of the Kilcoy installation found the automated scribing system delivers a gross benefit in line with original project scope achieving the estimated payback period.
Technology provider Intelligent Robotics said the development demonstrates how AI and robotics can be applied to complex processing tasks that were previously considered difficult to automate.
Intelligent Robotics director Clyde Campbell said the system was designed in close collaboration with processors to address real on-plant challenges.
“When we embarked on the first development, it was to help processors increase yield by improving cutting accuracy,” Mr Campbell said.
“Processors identified the need to have the primal cuts in the right location. If you get the scribing cuts very accurate, the improvements flow all the way through to the boning room.”
