Method and apparatus for portion cutting of meat items

An apparatus for portion cutting of meat items, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a first shape sensor for measuring the shape of a meat item to be cut into portions, the shape defining a reference direction,
• a cutter for cutting the meat item into portions,
• a cutter feed conveyor for conveying the meat item to the cutter, the cutter feed conveyor defining a feed direction,
• a control module configured to compute, based on the measured shape and based on one or more predetermined cut criteria, a target orientation associated with the meat item, the target orientation being indicative of a target angle between the reference direction and the feed direction and
• an item positioner configured to position the meat item on the cutter feed conveyor at the computed target orientation.

A method for portion cutting of meat items, wherein the method comprises:

• measuring the shape of a meat item to be cut into portions, the shape defining a reference direction,
• computing, based on the measured shape and based on one or more predetermined cut criteria, a target orientation associated with the meat item, the target orientation being indicative of a target angle between the reference direction and a feed direction for transporting the meat item to a cutter;
• advancing the meat item along the feed direction with the meat item oriented at the computed target orientation relative to the feed direction,
• cutting the meat item into portions.