Infrared Food Temperature Control for Commercial Frozen Meat Shredding

Protecting Equipment and Ensuring Meat Safety with Accurate Temperature Control

Recognizing the critical role of temperature in frozen meat processing, a food processor specifically requests precise noncontact temperature monitoring of frozen meat blocks. Their goal is to protect their shredding machines from damage and safeguard the meat from microbiological hazards. This proactive step demonstrates their deep understanding of the importance of this aspect in their operations and their commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

Accurate sensing technologies for temperature control are crucial in the industrial processing of frozen meat. This meat food process begins with delivering and storing raw frozen meat, kept at around -18°C or colder temperatures. Maintaining this temperature is essential to preserve the meat’s microbiological safety and ensure uniform consistency during further processing.

A critical stage in this process is shredding frozen meat blocks, where the meat is introduced into a shredder or similar machinery. If the meat is too cold, significantly below -18°C, it becomes extremely hard and brittle, leading to challenges in cutting, increased wear on cutting tools, and higher maintenance costs. Furthermore, the quality of the shredded product can be compromised, as the meat may fracture or splinter instead of cutting cleanly. On the other hand, if the meat is too warm, just below 0°C, it loses its firmness and may smear or stick during shredding, causing blockages and uneven cutting, negatively impacting the end product’s quality.

Moreover, if the cooling during the shredding process is inadequate, the meat’s temperature can rise uncontrollably, posing a significant microbiological risk. Higher temperatures foster bacterial growth, potentially compromising the safety of processed meat. In light of these potential hazards, accurate temperature monitoring is beneficial and crucial for protecting equipment and ensuring the quality and safety of the processed meat.

The ideal temperature range for shredding meat is between -12°C and -15°C. Within this range, the meat remains frozen but is not excessively hard, allowing for efficient shredding with minimal stress on the machinery. Accurate monitoring of these temperatures is therefore essential to maintain consistent product quality and prevent damage to processing equipment.

Prevent Downtime and Preserve Quality with the Autonomous Optris Xi 410

The Optris Xi 410 infrared camera is a precision tool that has revolutionized frozen meat processing for commercial food processors. Its ability to accurately monitor the temperature of meat blocks before and during shredding ensures that the process stays within the optimal temperature range, preventing equipment damage and preserving product quality.

With autonomous operation, the Xi 410 provides up to three analog or alarm outputs, enabling continuous temperature monitoring without requiring constant manual oversight. All frozen meat blocks are automatically measured and evaluated, and alarms are triggered if critical temperatures are detected. This prevents costly downtime and ensures the processing line runs efficiently. The camera also offers flexible connectivity options, including Fast Ethernet, USB 2.0, and RS485, making it highly adaptable and easy to integrate into various control systems.

Additionally, the integration with PIX Connect software enhances its value, offering real-time data analysis and enabling immediate corrective actions. This minimizes production delays and reduces the risk of product spoilage, ensuring a smooth and reliable workflow.

The Xi 410’s versatility is further demonstrated by its multiple field-of-view options and stackable process interfaces, allowing it to adapt to different production setups. With a competitive price-performance ratio, it’s an ideal choice for food producers seeking a cost-effective, reliable, and efficient temperature monitoring solution.