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ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES •
MARCH 2014
9
Robots and x-rays boost Norwegian fishing industry
Unlike farmed salmon, white fish varies significantly in size and weight, mak-
ing it difficult to develop an automated system capable of processing it. However, a
new filleting machine was recently invented that could boost the Norwegian fish-
ing industry. The system resulted from collaboration between Nordic Innovation,
SINTEF, Marel, Faroe Origin, and Norway Seafoods. White fish is complicated and
time-consuming to fillet because bones are difficult to find and remove. As a re-
sult, 3-7% of the most valuable part of the fish is cut away unnecessarily. Researchers
at SINTEF ICT conducted laboratory x-ray tests and used scanners at Oslo Uni-
versity Hospital to learn more about where fish bones are located. The
technology focuses on image analysis and recognition. The new machine
locates fish bones using x-ray technology, and then fillets the fish quickly
and precisely with a powerful jet of water. Fish are guaranteed to be
boneless with considerably less waste than manual filleting.
“Norway only exports 10-25% of processed products, depending on
whether it is white fish or farmed fish,” explains Marit Aursand, research
director of SINTEF fisheries and aquaculture. “Most of our important
seafood products—such as salmon, cod, and herring—receive only min-
imal processing or treatment before they are sent abroad. In other words,
there is huge potential for carrying out more processing in Norway.”
The new invention makes it possible to send fresh fish direct to shops
from Norwegian facilities.
www.sintef.no.
A new machine uses x-rays to locate fish bones
then quickly and precisely fillets the fish with a
powerful water jet.
AMETEK Inc.,
Berwyn, Pa., acquired
VTI Instru-
ments,
Irvine, Calif., a manufacturer of high pre-
cision test and measurement instrumentation for
$74 million. VTI makes signal conditioning and
switching instruments, data acquisition products,
and integrated test systems for demanding elec-
trical and structural testing applications where
high measurement accuracy is critical.
www.ametek.com.