A system and method for automatic calibrating, cutting and grading natural intestines

A transporting device configured to move an intestine along a feeding mandrel, the transporting device comprising:

• four or more wheels, wherein each wheel is a composite wheel having a metal core;
• and
• a periphery made of elastomer, wherein the periphery is shaped in a form having a profile configured to contact a feeding mandrel such that the transporting device is configured to perform a pinching action or a seclusion action to build a water containing cavity created by intestine surrounding the feeding mandrel;
• wherein the transporting device is configured to move the intestine in multiple directions along the feeding mandrel.

A method for automatically determining a length of at least a portion of an intestine loaded onto a feeding mandrel, comprising:

• transporting the intestine back and forth on the feeding mandrel using a transporting device;
• using a vision device to take a plurality of pictures of the intestine while transporting the intestine back and forth on the feeding mandrel;
• identifying a pattern on the surface of the intestine in a first picture of the plurality of pictures of the intestine;
• calculating a number of pixels that the identified pattern has moved between the first picture and a second picture of the plurality of pictures of the intestine;
• determining an amount of elapsed time between the first picture and the second picture;
• calculating a distance by which the intestine has moved along the feeding mandrel based on the calculated number of pixels and the elapsed time between the first picture and the second picture;
• and
• moving the intestine such that a point of interest in the intestine is brought into a cutting position based at least in part on the calculated distance.

A method for semi-automatic or automatic gauging, calibrating, grading and cutting natural intestines comprising:

• feeding a natural intestine onto a feeding mandrel while water is being supplied through a hollow part of the feeding mandrel;
• obtaining at least one image of said intestine after said intestine has been feed onto said feeding mandrel and has been transported past a measuring area of the feeding mandrel, where a cavity occurs within the intestine as a result of a pressure of the water supply;
• analysing said at least one image using one or more light sources a processor to determine a transition point of the intestine, which transition point represents a change in a calibre or grade of the intestine according to a specification or an amendment to the calibre or grade of the intestine according to the specification, and to detect any perforations, according to the specification in said intestine;
• and
• transporting the intestine to a tip of the feeding mandrel, past a sensing device, until the determined transition point reaches the tip of the feeding mandrel;
• and
• cutting the intestine using a cutting device in accordance with the transporting.