GRADING
IN PARADISE
Tropic Seafood automates lobster processing.
Mention the word paradise and chances are your thoughts will turn to the stunningly beautiful group of 700 tropical islands called the Bahamas. Relax, dream of lying on a perfect beach and swimming in the clearest waters in the world, then when you’re feeling hungry, savour the glorious taste of succulent tropical fruits, fish and, of course, lobster.
This wonderful place attracts visitors from all over the world – indeed, tourism accounts for around 60% of the Bahamas GDP – and most visitors expect to sample these culinary delights as a matter of routine. Companies like Nassau based Tropic Seafood, supply fish, fish products and lobster tails to busy island restaurants and casinos as well as to food service and retail multiples in the USA.
In 2000, Tropic Seafood opened a large new processing plant to cope with demand and three years later boosted productivity on the lobster tail processing line by installing an AEW Delford Systems GS920 Grading System. The tails are shipped to the company in the frozen state then thawed in a large tank before being graded, weighed and packed for onward distribution.
Previously this was done by hand – a slow, inaccurate, wasteful and labour intensive process – but as the tails need careful handling to prevent damage and decreased value, it was thought this was the best way to preserve all important product presentation.
AEW Delford Systems took this into account when they designed the 14 channel grading system around their well proven GS900 series with its innovative software and precise mechanical engineering. To prevent damage to the lobster tails, a special handling system was developed that incorporated a high speed index feeder and special outfeed conveyor.
Easily understood, touch sensitive controls are a feature of the compact electronic console that incorporates a powerful microprocessor and sophisticated, programmable software. This helps the system to deliver fast, reliable, effective and flexible grading to accurate target weights at speeds up to an impressive 160 pieces/min at typical accuracy levels of +/- 1g.
The complete system is manufactured from high grade stainless steel, providing water protection standards to IP66 and with easy wash down access to all areas, hygiene is made easy.
It’s good to know that our grading system has contributed so much towards helping Tropic Seafood achieve their goals of making significant increases in production efficiency with consistently high product quality and presentation.
If your product handling doesn’t live up to your expectations, give us a call. Who knows, you too could soon be grading in paradise.
