The invention relates to a method for producing a film (2) or sheet from a block material, in particular from a slabstock foam (3), in which at least the following regions are provided, as seen in a production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet: a cutting region (I) for cutting the film (2) or sheet, wherein the film (2) or sheet is cut out, in a slitting-open manner, by means of a cutting unit (10) from the block material, which is continuously fed to the cutting region (1); also a passing-on region (II), adjoining the cutting region (I) and having a driven passing-on roller (20) for conveying the film (2) or sheet out of the cutting region (I); and also a secondary region (III), adjoining the passing-on region (II) and intended for further processing the film (2) or sheet, in particular a winding region (III) for winding the film (2) or sheet into a coil (4). In this case, there is a cutting-region stress in the film (2) or sheet in the cutting region (1) upstream of the passing-on roller (20), and there is a secondary stress in the film (2) or sheet in the passing-on region (II) upstream of the secondary region (III), in particular winding region (III). The invention also relates to an installation (1) for film or sheet production, and to a method for retrofitting an installation (1) for film or sheet production, and to a system for retrofitting an installation for film or sheet production.

The invention relates to a method for producing a film (2) or sheet from a block material, in particular from a slabstock foam (3), in which at least the following regions are provided, as seen in a production direction (P) of the film (2) or sheet: a cutting region (I) for cutting the film (2) or sheet, wherein the film (2) or sheet is cut out, in a slitting-open manner, by means of a cutting unit (10) from the block material, which is continuously fed to the cutting region (1); also a passing-on region (II), adjoining the cutting region (I) and having a driven passing-on roller (20) for conveying the film (2) or sheet out of the cutting region (I); and also a secondary region (III), adjoining the passing-on region (II) and intended for further processing the film (2) or sheet, in particular a winding region (III) for winding the film (2) or sheet into a coil (4). In this case, there is a cutting-region stress in the film (2) or sheet in the cutting region (1) upstream of the passing-on roller (20), and there is a secondary stress in the film (2) or sheet in the passing-on region (II) upstream of the secondary region (III), in particular winding region (III). The invention also relates to an installation (1) for film or sheet production, and to a method for retrofitting an installation (1) for film or sheet production, and to a system for retrofitting an installation for film or sheet production.

A method and system are provided for automatically portioning workpieces, such as food products, by simulating portioning the workpieces in accordance with the one or more desired shapes of the final piece(s) as a directly controlled physical characteristic (parameter/specification) as well as one or more resulting indirectly controlled physical characteristics (parameters/specifications). The desired shape(s) of the final piece(s) are defined by a plurality of manipulatable reference coordinates. A workpiece is scanned to obtain scanning information, then portioning of the workpiece is simulated in accordance with the desired shape(s) of the final piece(s) defined by the directly controlled reference coordinates, thereby to determine the one or more indirectly controlled physical characteristics of the one or more final pieces to be portioned from the workpiece. The simulated portioning of the workpiece is performed for multiple combinations of directly controlled shapes as defined by the modified or edited reference coordinates and indirectly controlled physical characteristics until an acceptable set of a directly controlled shape and resulting one or more indirectly controlled physical characteristics is determined.

A method and system are provided for automatically portioning workpieces, such as food products, by simulating portioning the workpieces in accordance with the one or more desired shapes of the final piece(s) as a directly controlled physical characteristic (parameter/specification) as well as one or more resulting indirectly controlled physical characteristics (parameters/specifications). The desired shape(s) of the final piece(s) are defined by a plurality of manipulatable reference coordinates. A workpiece is scanned to obtain scanning information, then portioning of the workpiece is simulated in accordance with the desired shape(s) of the final piece(s) defined by the directly controlled reference coordinates, thereby to determine the one or more indirectly controlled physical characteristics of the one or more final pieces to be portioned from the workpiece. The simulated portioning of the workpiece is performed for multiple combinations of directly controlled shapes as defined by the modified or edited reference coordinates and indirectly controlled physical characteristics until an acceptable set of a directly controlled shape and resulting one or more indirectly controlled physical characteristics is determined.

A device for cutting partial strips having a defined specifiable mass, preferably from a dough strip, including at least one cutting unit, which has a blade. The cutting unit is adjustably fastened to a retaining element of the device in such a way that the blades cut a dough strip, which is conveyed past the device and is moved in the longitudinal direction of the dough strip, into at least two partial pieces predominantly parallel to the direction of motion of the dough strip. The cutting unit includes an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is designed in such a way that the position of the blade can be adjusted with respect to the position of the cutting unit, in particular over the width of the dough strip, by automated control.

A slicing machine may include a machine housing, which holds a drive motor for driving a rotating slicing blade. The slicing blade separates individual slices from preferably elongated foodstuffs, wherein these slices are deposited in a delivery area of the slicing machine. In the delivery area, a weighing device is provided, which determines the weight of the separated slices. To ensure that the slicing machine can be universally employed while having a compact design, it is provided that the slicing machine is of modular design in that the weighing device is configured as a separate modular unit, which can optionally be mechanically rigidly connected to the machine housing or can be removed therefrom.

A slicing machine may include a machine housing, which holds a drive motor for driving a rotating slicing blade. The slicing blade separates individual slices from preferably elongated foodstuffs, wherein these slices are deposited in a delivery area of the slicing machine. In the delivery area, a weighing device is provided, which determines the weight of the separated slices. To ensure that the slicing machine can be universally employed while having a compact design, it is provided that the slicing machine is of modular design in that the weighing device is configured as a separate modular unit, which can optionally be mechanically rigidly connected to the machine housing or can be removed therefrom.

An automated food slicing device is provided. The automated food slicing device may automate the cutting, packaging, and/or labelling of food items such as delicatessen food items. The automated food slicing device may also have a computerized input that allows a user to provide inputs regarding selected options which the slicing device will follow to provide a customized food product.

An automated food slicing device is provided. The automated food slicing device may automate the cutting, packaging, and/or labelling of food items such as delicatessen food items. The automated food slicing device may also have a computerized input that allows a user to provide inputs regarding selected options which the slicing device will follow to provide a customized food product.

A food article slicing machine includes a food article loading apparatus with a lift tray assembly for moving food articles from a staging position to an elevated position at a beginning of a food article feed path, a food article feed apparatus disposed over the food article loading apparatus having an upper conveyor assembly with an independently driven endless conveyor belt used in cooperation with a food article gripper for moving the food articles along the food article feed path, a food article stop gate that forms part of the food article feed path and opens to drop food article end portions, and a slicing station at an end of the food article feed path with a knife for slicing the food articles.