Upgrade and relocation of RTT-110 to Rockhampton
An airline luggage security x-ray system is being adapted to scan carcases to determine cutting lines for automation.
| Project start date: | 30 June 2020 |
| Project end date: | 25 March 2022 |
| Publication date: | 06 April 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
Summary
Project partner Rapiscan Systems have developed a single energy computed tomography (CT) x-ray system to scan airline luggage for security threats. Unlike medical CT units currently used in research, the Rapiscan RTT-110 unit has used a fixed emitter - detector configuration enabling it run continuously, therefore enabling opportunities for other industrial applications that require continuous operation, such as meat processing. This project upgraded the RTT-110 scanner with customised image acquisition and analysis hardware and software that was developed in project P.PSH.0930, and supported relocation of the unit for further evaluation. The Rapiscan RTT-110 has demonstrated good capacity to differentiate bone from soft tissue (lean and fat) in beef primals and lamb carcases.
Objectives
The objective of this project was to upgrade a Rapiscan RTT-110 x-ray scanner with customised meat hardware and software to optimise scanning for the red meat industry.
Key findings
The Rapiscan RTT-110 has demonstrated good capacity to differentiate bone from soft tissue (lean and fat) in beef primals and lamb carcases. This differentiation is more effective where the bone mass is larger and more dense. However, the current configuration does not adequately differentiate between soft tissue types to effectively estimate carcase composition as bone, lean and fat.
Benefits to industry
The demonstrated capacity to differentiate bone from soft tissue (lean and fat) indicates the potential for the RTT-110 scanner to provide some of the sensing required by the beef boning automation program.
MLA action
MLA, through the beef boning automation program, continues to work with Rapiscan and R&D partners to refine the RTT-110 to provide sensing to enable some cutting lines required for the beef boning automation program.
Future research
Further research will focus on testing and refining the RTT-110 scanner to identify the structural characteristics required in inform specific cutting lines for the beef boning automation program.
More information
| Project manager: | Richard Apps |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
