Variable speed profile extrusion portion cutting head and control system

A method of controlling a cutter head assembly in a foodstuff portioning machine, comprising:

• selecting a foodstuff product with an at least one variable from a list of foodstuff products for programming through a user interface on a foodstuff product portioning machine;
• programming the at least one variable to develop a cutting profile for the product wherein the at least one product variable provides for an at least one machine control input that includes instructions for a first velocity of an at least two velocities to drive the cutter head assembly during a cutting cycle as a cutting blade passes through an extruded foodstuff product stream;
• and
• programming the at least one variable to develop the cutting profile for the product wherein the at least one product variable provides for an at least one machine control input that includes instructions for a second velocity of an at least two velocities to drive the cutter head assembly during a cutting cycle and prior to the completion of the cutting of a portion from the extruded foodstuff product stream.

A method of operating a foodstuff extrusion portioning machine, comprising:

• placing a semi-solid foodstuff material in a hopper;
• advancing an at least one pair of feed rollers to feed said foodstuff material through an extrusion die;
• forming a stream of semi-solid foodstuff material ahead of a cutter head assembly;
• selecting a foodstuff product with an at least one variable from a list of products for programming through a user interface variables to control the portioning machine including a velocity profile for operating the cutter head assembly and cutting element;
• operating the feed of the semi-solid foodstuff material into the extrusion die and out as the stream of semi-solid foodstuff material stream;
• and
• engaging said portioning cutter head assembly with said semi-solid foodstuff material stream to cut the semi-solid foodstuff material through a cut length with a programmed cutting profile for a cutting element, the cutting profile having a first of an at least two velocities through a first portion of the cut length within the semi-solid foodstuff stream and a second velocity of an at least two velocities for a second portion of the cut length.