System and method of optimizing workpiece trim production and use

A workpiece processing system, comprising:

• a portion of a sensor assembly configured to generate incoming workpiece sensor data;
• a first cutting assembly configured to generate an amount of workpiece trim and trimmed workpieces;
• a portion of a sorting assembly configured to divert incoming workpieces having a first physical characteristic to a first portion of the first cutting assembly and workpieces having a second physical characteristic to a second portion of the first cutting assembly to generate at least one of a target amount of trim and a target size of trimmed workpieces from each of the first and second portions of the first cutting assembly;
• a portion of the sensor assembly configured to generate at least one of trimmed workpiece sensor data and trim sensor data;
• a portion of the sorting assembly configured to divert trim from the first cutting assembly to a trim use assembly, the trim use assembly configured to perform at least one of receiving trim and processing trim;
• and
• a first portion of a secondary processing assembly configured to perform at least one secondary processing step on the trimmed workpieces, including at least one of portioning the trimmed workpieces, sorting the trimmed workpieces, packaging the trimmed workpieces, slicing the trimmed workpieces, breading the trimmed workpieces, and thermally processing the trimmed workpieces;
• and
• a movement assembly configured to move workpieces.

A method of optimizing trim for a workpiece processing system, comprising:

• cutting, with a first cutting assembly, incoming workpieces to generate an amount of workpiece trim and trimmed workpieces;
• capturing, with a sensor assembly, sensor data of at least one of incoming workpieces, trimmed workpieces, and trim;
• diverting, with a sorting assembly, trim from the first cutting assembly to a trim use assembly;
• at least one of receiving trim and processing trim at the trim use assembly;
• processing, with a computing device, input data including at least one of incoming workpieces, trimmed workpiece sensor data, trim sensor data, trim demand for the trim use assembly, and workpiece processing requirements;
• and
• outputting, with a computing device, a trim optimization plan including at least one of:
• a trim designation location in the trim use assembly for an amount of trim;
• and
• instructions for adjusting settings of the first cutting assembly to change the amount of workpiece trim generated by the first cutting assembly.