The ITM2 Trimming Robot is the redesigned, second generation of Marel's automatic trimming machines.

Designed to trim salmon fillets automatically, the ITM2 Trimming Robot is the ideal solution for high-value trimming of fillets into pre-defined trim categories. With its advanced colour vision technology it automatically evaluates each fillet before trimming and calculates the most economic cut configuration based on weight, shape, and/or colour grade. This ensures a high precision cut and makes the entire process efficient and productive, from measuring to trimming.

The main benefit of an ITM2 Trimming Robot compared to conventional manual trimming, is that the ITM2 will do what the master trimmer does when working at peak performance – but it does so continuously, all day long. The ITM2 Trimming Robot delivers uniform and consistent trimming, also during longer processing periods. Processors value uniform and consistent trimming because at the end of the day, high trimming performance improves yield.

The main payback factors when using an ITM2 Trimming Robot compared to manual trimming are:

• Consistent quality and yield
• Reduced labour costs
• High reliability

The ITM2 Trimming Robot is designed as a part of an integrated Marel salmon fillet processing solution that includes a filleting machine, pre- and post trim, followed by a packing grader.

Combined with Marel’s INNOVA yield monitoring software, the integrated salmon processing system is extremely powerful. It offers a new dimension of managing yields and production value. By carefully monitoring the raw material utilisation in each processing step, the processor is able to optimise yields, taking both utilisation and quality into account, as well as giving a real-time overview of productivity and system uptime.

Ensures correct trimming for each weight and colour grade 

Colour Vision
The ITM detects colour and volume, as well as any cutting errors from filleting machines. The colour analysis is used to determine the colour category of the fillet according to a standard industrial scale.

Automatic Evaluation
The ITM automatically evaluates each fillet and then calculates the optimal trim configuration. Product value is maximised, as an intelligent cut decision is made for each individual fillet. The ITM minimises trimming mistakes and delivers more products into higher value categories.  

Intelligent Trimming
Fillets are trimmed with precision using automatic servo knives and a circular trimmer. The M3000 controller assigns specialised cutting tasks to each knife which follows set curves, securing uniform cut and increased yield. The ITM ensures that fillets of the correct colour grade and weight are delivered into each category. 

Grading
The ITM assigns a grading signal to each fillet according to trim definition, size, and colour grade. The grade signal is used later in the system to grade the fillets into different processes. This information is also used to collect statistics on accumulated quantity in each individual process. 

Innova production control system

Innova production software is used to collect trimming data. The software works with any number of machines and stores summarized long-term information about the colour, weight, length and type of pieces and portions. Statistical reports on colour grading and on incoming and outgoing weight are available.

The software also collects real-time data to monitor the system's performance and calculates key performance indicators, such as throughput, yield, production value and other variables. Production managers can utilise the resulting data to optimise the production process and achieve the best value possible.