Fat Content In Ground Meat

Quality control is crucial in the food industry. Monitoring the product’s nutritive property protects and increases a brand’s reputation. Fat content is one of the properties consumers look at when buying meat. Its quantitative level needs to be precisely documented. Also, monitoring the fat content while transforming meat plays a cost-effective role. New automation technologies are therefore required to improve brand competitiveness.

For this study, five meat samples were obtained and mixed to create ten samples for analysis. To know their fat content accurately, Specim ordered measurements from a 3rd party laboratory, Seilab. According to the Gerber method, they are certified in fat analysis, using a butyrometer (Seilab in Seinäjoki, Finland; method NMKL 181, 2005; see Table 1 below).

Measured value by Seilab Measured value by FX17
Sample 1 0.6% 0.9%
Sample 2 16% 15.2%
Sample 3 * 10% 10.4%
Sample 4 * 18% 20.8%
Sample 5 75% 75.1%
Sample 6 (mix) 3% 2.7%
Sample 7 (mix) 6% 5.5.%
Sample 8 (mix) 11% 12.8%
Sample 9 (mix) 19% 19.0%
Sample 10 (mix) 24% 23.5%

Table 1: fat content on each sample included in this study. Samples 3 and 4 were used for validation purposes.

We measured the samples with Specim FX17 hyperspectral camera (Fig.1). Hyperspectral imaging is a non-destructive method that combines spectroscopy and imaging. It collects NIR spectra for each pixel of the acquired image (900 – 1700 nm). Those can be converted into fat content employing relevant processing algorithms. Here a regression model was built and calibrated on eight samples and applied to the two remaining ones (indicated with * in Table 1).

 

Specim_FX_17Meat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1: FX17 on the 40×20 scanner (left) and example of a sample on the scanner sample tray (right).

Table 1 and Fig. 2 show the regression model results. It indicates that the FX17 is a suitable tool for measuring the fat content in ground meat.

Regression-Plot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2: Regression plot of the quantitative model for fat content prediction. Red dots relate to calibration samples, whereas green ones relate to validation samples.

In addition to measuring the fat content in samples, hyperspectral imaging is suitable for measuring its distribution (Fig.3).

Spectral-Image-Fat-Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusions:

Specim FX17 in machine vision systems will provide meat transformers with crucial and accurate fat quantification information. This fast and non-destructive method is also suitable for detecting other properties such as moisture and freshness. Furthermore, this method can sort contaminants such as pieces of wood and plastics. FX17 is a perfect tool for industrial quality control. Besides, the methods’ flexibility allows a fast adaptation to new regulations.

Hyperspectral imaging offers cost reduction and quick adaptation to new regulations by providing real-time information about the manufacturing process for decision-making and real-time control of meat processing factory input and output within specification.

by Mary-Anne Milne

Does your new Electric Vehicle make annoying sounds

Does your new Electric Vehicle make annoying sounds?

According to a recent JD Power survey, one of the top complaints that new EV car owners commented on was the noise from either the road or the wind generated when driving their new EVs'. Much of the annoying noises come from pothole-filled roadways, aggressive tire treads humming, and poor fit and finish from misaligned car body parts. Known as cabin noise, many manufacturers publish the cabin noise in decibels (dB), typically stated in the range of 60-90 dB are the acceptable level of cabin noise. The problem is most of the measurements are taken under controlled conditions yielding the best possible results that do not reflect the road conditions or other environmental situations encountered in everyday driving.

Automakers constantly challenge design teams to reduce noise, known in the industry as "NVH"; noise, vibration, and harshness. With traditional ICEs (internal combustion engines), the engine generates a certain amount of noise during its operation. Some models have exhausts designed to accentuate the engine's roar, thus increasing cabin noise. With today's EV, engine noise is non-existent. However, this makes the reduction of NVH even more crucial, so the driver doesn't hear all the environmental noises, such as wet road surfaces, wind whistles, and vehicle rattles. Remember that rattles occur in many cars due to use conditions, loose fasteners (consisting of clips, screws, bolts, rubber grommets, etc.), and poorly fitting body panels. Design and manufacturing teams cannot control operator driving conditions; however, they can control the torque settings of fasteners and the alignment of body panels.

The measurement of body panels is known as the Flush and Gap metrology methodology taken during vehicle manufacturing. Each vehicle assembled is measured against the design parameters set forth by the design teams. Generally, most gaps (door to door, door to fender, fender to hood, headlamp to hood, windshield to roof, etc.) are 1.25mm to 2mm in size, holding a tolerance of +/-0.3mm, and flushness is the measurement of how the surfaces of the panels align with one another. Ideally, alignment is 0mm. When a vehicle is assembled with wide gaps or out-of-alignment panels, it's subject to improperly tightened or missed fasteners, spacers, or deficient critical spot welds. Misassembled vehicles can cause automakers warranty issues and poor customer reviews. One solution to these manufacturing issues is the Eines Eifis® Flush N Gap measurement system. The Eines Eifis® Flush N Gap measurement tunnel provides hundreds of points of accurate measurement on assembled or semi-assembled vehicles. This critical measurement system scans while the vehicle moves without touching the surface. Additionally, the system guides the fitters in the auto plant to the exact location to make necessary adjustments or alignments.

In the age of world-class manufacturing, does your quality depart measure 100% of all assembled vehicles? Many of the plants I enter currently measure a sampling of vehicles manually, leaving it to chance that the unmeasured vehicles meet manufacturer specifications.

Want to learn more about reducing NVH and measuring 100% of all vehicles manufactured, contact us for a quick discussion.

by Peter Roos

Color White Paper

Precise Color Communication

An infinite number of colors surround us in our everyday lives. Not only does color influence our tastes in food and other purchases, the color of a person’s face can also tell us about that person’s health. Our knowledge of color and its control is often insufficient, leading to a variety of problems in deciding product color. Since judgment is often performed according to a person’s impression or experience, it is impossible for everyone to visually control color accurately using common, uniform standards. This document describes important and useful information about colors.

by Mary-Anne Milne