P.PSH.1494 - Ovine IMF - MARBL Twin Sensor Production System Development & Installation

Summary

The objective of this project was to complete the first commercial installation of a fully automated system for measuring percentage of intramuscular fat in lamb. The completed system was to be installed in-line and operated at processing line speeds of between 8–12 carcases/minute. 

The technology that underpins this project is the Marbl™ sensor, a sensor that uses magnetic resonance to non-invasively and directly measure a volume of meat within the backstrap.  

The system has been designed, built, installed and partly commissioned. To achieve the required line speed, the system has two adjacent Marbl™ sensors and carcases are shuttled in in pairs.

Objectives

The overall objective of the project is to build on the learnings from prior work and to design, build and calibrate an automated in-line inMR, Marbl™ system to measure IMF% in hot lamb carcases.   

The specific objectives of the project include: 

• develop, design and build a twin sensor system
• prove the design can operate at chain speeds of 8–12 carcases/minute. First in the workshop and then in a processing facility
• install the Marbl™ system at an Australian lamb processor
• initiate AUSMEAT accreditation of the equipment in the installation
• feasibility and business case to validate the return on investment.

Key findings

It was shown that the system could complete the full cycle in around 10 seconds, that is, carcases identified, shuttled in, pushed against the pivoted Marbl™ sensors, measured for %IMF (in around five seconds), data recorded and shuttled out.  This is equivalent to 12 carcases/minute. At the time of writing, the system has been operated for short periods. %IMF measurements were in the range we might expect based on prior work i.e. 2–9%.  Further work is required to tune and optimise the system, validate the IMF measurements then seek AUSMEAT accreditation.

Benefits to industry

Systems such as these help overcome adoption barriers through automation and the introduction of IMF measurement and grading in lamb processing will help establish premium brands underpinned by MSA that will provide a key point of difference in key international markets and return farm gate premiums to Australian producers.

MLA action

MLA will continue to partner with project partner inMR Measure and AMPC to progress the system towards AUS-MEAT accreditation and then subsequently further adoption in Australian processing plants.

Future research

From here, future research needs to focus on validation and AUS-MEAT accreditation of the Marbl™ system, whilst in parallel, infrastructural systems (carcase ID and data) are developed and built and market opportunities quantified for differentiated lamb products. Following this, the door is open for facilitated adoption of the system within Australian processing plants.