Pelting machine proves itself

Press, 19 November 1981, Page 3

Pelting machine proves itself

Nelson reporter The world’s only fully mechanical pelting machine, now undergoing a year's trial at the Waitaki freezing company's works at Stoke, just outside Nelson, is already achieving remarkable results. In the last two weeks, company engineers under the project manager, Mr A. A. J. Robertson, and works staff have been making final adjustments to, and learning the new techniques associated with. the revolutionary machine. In the three days it ■ has been working this week the processing chain has increased its rating from five sheep (or lambs) a minute to six yesterday afternoon. The normal tally speed at Stoke is 6.3 lambs’ a minute and 5.6 a minute for sheep. The machine has a capability of eight a minute. Mr Robertson said yesterday that the speed at which the carcases were being processed was a tribute to the way in which employers had adapted to the new technology. The object of the machine was to improve efficiency. particularly quality, and already the combination of staff and machine was improving day by day. The general manager of the plant, Mr Barry Johnston, also expressed his pleasure at the improvement in quality. “The whole staff has responded very well to the new system and the new jobs, even though they are working in an adverse situation. The engineering staff did a tremendous job, working long hours to install the machine,” he said. The machine had been used previously in trials at the Meat Industry Research Institute at Hamilton, but not in a chain situation, said Mr Johnston. During its 12 months trial in Nelson all

aspects of the system would be evaluated. Ohly after the full trial would the staffing situation be examined. At present the chain was fullymanned. he said. The project was begun about three years ago. Mr Robertson, who is normally attached to the Industrial Development Division of the D.S.I.R. in Christchurch, was appointed project manager and was involved with several project sections. After about eight months together, one section developed the nose roller machine now in common use throughout the industry. Another section developed the mechanical ring pushed down between carcase and pelt. This led to the present Icm ring which follows the contour of. the carcase, separating carcase and pelt. The rest of the machine had been developed during the last year. Mr Robertson said. “At the moment we are concentrating on where faults might be and what is causing them." he said. “We will then take steps to overcome them." As to its value. Mr Robertson said future machines would probably cost about $70,000 plus the cost of installation. He believed the industry was now looking at the possibility of licensing the manufacture of them. The sheep are still “opened up” in the traditional manner as they pass from the stabbing chamber along the chain. When they reach the machine, the pelt is clamped, the machine moves in a clockwise direction, and as it does so the ring passes from the neck down the body and over the hind legs. A fewsnips by workers opens up the pelt which has been totally separated. The carcase passes along the chain for further processing and into the evisceration chamber.