CBA for LEAP II, IV and LEAP V automation technologies

Summary

Background
Removal of lamb chine bones has been manual, requiring significant bandsaw work which has implications on product yield and consistency of finished product specification as well as OH&S risks. Automated removal of chine bones was identified by industry in conjunction with MLA and AMPC as an opportunity to improve efficiency and product value in Australian lamb operations.  Chine removal systems in various forms have been tested in the industry in the past but with varying success until recently.
Currently there are a variety of competing technolgoies available or under development, each with differing features, throughputs and integration options.
Research
MLA and Scott Technology have  for several years been working towards realising a fully automated lamb boning room.  As the majority of rack saddles are chine boned this must include an automated process for chine boning.  
These series of projects were aimed at developing an automated chine boning process for integration into the existing Scott Technology LEAP IV middle machine or for sale as a stand alone unit.
Outcomes
Scott Technology have successfully developed the chining module, and integrated this with the LEAP IV system.  A standalone unit is currently under development.
Project A.TEC.0104 compared the Scott system with other chining technology options.