• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.1109-1119
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• 2018

In this paper, we report the development of a nondestructive prediction model for lean meat percentage (LMP) in Korean pig carcasses and in the major cuts using a machine vision technique. A popular vision system in the meat industry, the VCS2000 was installed in a modern Korean slaughterhouse, and the images of half carcasses were captured using three cameras from 175 selected pork carcasses (86 castrated males and 89 females). The imaged carcasses were divided into calibration (n=135) and validation (n=39) sets and a multilinear regression (MLR) analysis was utilized to develop the prediction equation from the calibration set. The efficiency of the prediction equation was then evaluated by an independent validation set. We found that the prediction equation - developed to estimate LMP in whole carcasses based on six variables - was characterized by a coefficient of determination ($R^2_v$) value of 0.77 (root-mean square error [RMSEV] of 2.12%). In addition, the predicted LMP values for the major cuts: ham, belly, and shoulder exhibited $R^2_v$ values${\geq}0.8$ (0.73 for loin parts) with low RMSEV values. However, lower accuracy ($R^2_v=0.67$) was achieved for tenderloin cuts. These results indicate that the LMP in Korean pig carcasses and major cuts can be predicted successfully using the VCS2000-based prediction equation developed here. The ultimate advantages of this technique are compatibility and speed, as the VCS2000 imaging system can be installed in any slaughterhouse with minor modifications to facilitate the on-line and real-time prediction of LMP in pig carcasses.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.155-165
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• 2012

This study was performed to offer the data for design of the seedling bed transfer equipment to make the automation of working process in a plant factory. The seedling bed transfer equipment pushing the seedling bed with bearing wheels on the rail for interconnecting each working process by a pneumatic cylinder was made and examined. The examined transfer force to push the seedling bed with a weight of 178.9 N by the pneumatic cylinder with length of 60 cm and section area of 5 $cm^2$ was measured by experiments. The examined transfer forces was compared with theoretical ones calculated by the theoretical formula derived from dynamic system analysis according to the number of the seedling bed and pushing speed of the pneumatic cylinder head at no load. The transfer function of the equipment with the input variable as the pushing speed $V_{h0}$(m/s) and the output variable as the transfer force f(t)(N) was represented as $F(s)=(V_{h0}/k)(s+B/M)/(s(s^2+Bs/M+1/(kM))$ where M(kg), k(m/N) and B(Ns/m) are the mass of the bed, the compression coefficient of the pneumatic cylinder and the dynamic friction coefficient between the seedling bed and the rail, respectively. The examined transfer force curves and the theoretical ones were represented similar wave forms as to use the theoretical formular to design the device for the seedling bed transfer. The condition of no vibration of the transfer force curve was $kB^2>4M$. The condition of transferring the bed by the repeatable impact and vibration force according to difference of transfer distance of the pneumatic cylinder head from that of the bed was as $Ce^{-\frac{3{\pi}D}{2\omega}}<-1$, where ${\omega}=\sqrt{\frac{1}{kM}-\frac{B^2}{4M^2}}$, $C=\{\frac{\frac{B}{2M}-\frac{1}{kB}}{\omega}\}$, $D=\frac{B}{2M}$. The examined mean peak transfer force represented 4 times of the stead state transfer force. Therefore it seemed that the transfer force of the pneumatic cylinder required for design of the push device was 4Bv where v is the pushing speed.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.517-524
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• 2003

There have been worldwide research and development efforts to automate various processes of bio-production and those efforts will be expanded with priority given to tasks which require high intensive labor or produce high value-added product and tasks under hostile environment. In the field of bio-production capabilities of the versatility and robustness of automated system have been major bottlenecks along with economical efficiency. This paper introduces a new concept of automation based on tole-operation, which can provide solutions to overcome inherent difficulties in automating bio-production processes. Operator(farmer), computer, and automatic machinery share their roles utilizing their maximum merits to accomplish given tasks successfully. Among processes of greenhouse watermelon cultivation tasks such as pruning, watering, pesticide application, and harvest with loading were chosen based on the required labor intensiveness and functional similarities to realize the proposed concept. The developed system was composed of 5 major hardware modules such as wireless remote monitoring and task control module, wireless remote image acquisition and data transmission module, gantry system equipped with 4 d.o.f. Cartesian type robotic manipulator, exchangeable modular type end-effectors, and guided watermelon loading and storage module. The system was operated through the graphic user interface using touch screen monitor and wireless data communication among operator, computer, and machine. The proposed system showed practical and feasible way of automation in the field of volatile bio-production process.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.31 no.2 s.115
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• pp.121-127
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• 2006

An Altari radish pre-processing system, which feasible to process automatically such operations as leaf and root tail cutting and root peeling, for kimchi production was accomplished based on the foregone serial studies. In this study, the performances of the developed prototype machine, considered as a commercializing level, were analyzed and evaluated. The prototype machine attached Tiny PLC automatic control system was performed the sequent function as the rate of successful peeling was more than 98% for the Altari radish less than 70 mm diameter of a radish. The operating efficiency of this was 9 see/each, 128 kg/h, and it means as much as $5{\sim}6$ times that of a woman labor's. The sanitation and taste of the mechanized-processed Altari radish kimchi was almost same as that of the handmade. And they were suitable for manufactory of kimchi as the both short term ripening and storing kimchi. Developed machinery with one peeling device and two peeling devices that compared with hand processing, it was analyzed that the break-even yearly working days were 28 days and 19 days, and the break-even yearly processing amount were 28,700 kg, 32,400 kg, respectively.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2015

Purpose: To present a flexible and accurate autonomous solution for creating any desired row spacing value between the hydroponic gullies in multilayer growing units, and evaluate the capabilities and performance of the relevant automated system through the use of virtual prototyping technique. Methods: To build the virtual prototype of the system, CAD models of its different parts, including an autonomous vehicle and the mechanical mechanisms embedded in the multilayer growing unit, were developed and imported into the RecurDyn simulation software. In order to implement the automated row spacing operation, three spacing modes with different loading cycles and working steps were defined, and the operation of the system was simulated to obtain the target row spacing values specified for each of these modes. Results: Motion profiles related to the horizontal displacement of: 1) the lower and upper sliding bars installed in the cultivation layers, and 2) the hydroponic gullies, during the simulation of the system operation, were generated and analyzed. No deviation from the specified target spacing values was observed at the end of simulations for all spacing modes. Conclusions: The results of the motion analysis obtained by simulating the system operation confirm the effectiveness of the control scheme proposed for automated row spacing of gullies. It was also found that proper sequencing of the loading cycles and the precision of the working strokes of the upper bars are the critical factors for establishing a certain row spacing value. Based on the simulation results, precise control of the back and forth motions of the upper bars is highly necessary for sound operation of the real system.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.23-43
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• 2017

Purpose: As application-specific wireless sensor networks are gaining popularity, this paper discusses the development and field performance of the GHAN, a greenhouse area network system to monitor, control, and access greenhouse microenvironments. GHAN, which is an upgraded system, has many new functions. It is an intelligent wireless sensor and actuator network (WSAN) system for next-generation greenhouses, which enhances the state of the art of greenhouse automation systems and helps growers by providing them valuable information not available otherwise. Apart from providing online spatial and temporal monitoring of the greenhouse microclimate, GHAN has a modified vapor pressure deficit (VPD) fuzzy controller with an adaptive-selective mechanism that provides better control of the greenhouse crop VPD with energy optimization. Using the latest soil-matrix potential sensors, the GHAN system also ascertains when, where, and how much to irrigate and spatially manages the irrigation schedule within the greenhouse grids. Further, given the need to understand the microclimate control dynamics of a greenhouse during the crop season or a specific time, a statistical assessment tool to estimate the degree of optimality and spatial variability is proposed and implemented. Methods: Apart from the development work, the system was field-tested in a commercial greenhouse situated in the region of Punjab, India, under different outside weather conditions for a long period of time. Conclusions: Day results of the greenhouse microclimate control dynamics were recorded and analyzed, and they proved the successful operation of the system in keeping the greenhouse climate optimal and uniform most of the time, with high control performance.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.283-292
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• 2017

Purpose: Japanese Apricot, a type of plum, has various medicinal and economical applications. Plums are quite popular worldwide, but their deseeding remains a serious impediment to their processing. Therefore, a plum (Japanese Apricot) seed remover (PSR) was developed that can use various types of cutters according to the purpose of the plum processing, and its performance was evaluated. Methods: The proposed PSR, which allows multipurpose cutters, namely, zero-, two-, and four-blade cutters, to be installed, was first designed and manufactured. To identify appropriate parameters related to the cutting pressure, plums were harvested from three regions during three harvesting periods, and their geometrical and mechanical properties were measured. After application of the parameters related to the cutting pressure, a performance test was carried out on both fresh and frozen plums by identifying the ratios of the flesh recovery, seed recovery, seed breakage, deseeding efficiency, and machine efficiency. Results: The results show that, using the proper calculation of the processing parameters, 100% deseeding efficiency was facilitated regardless of the type of cutter used. However, in the case of a four-blade cutter, there are significant differences in the flesh recovery ratio according to the plum setting angle. Between the fresh and frozen plums, all cutters showed a significantly better flesh recovery ratio for the case of fresh plums. Conclusions: This machine will advance the plum processing technology, and eventually help the plum industry flourish.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.99-104
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• 2015

According to the volumetric mixing rate of dairy cow manure (DCM) and moisture control materials such as decomposed manure (DM) and sawdust (S), 6 reactors (DCM only (R1), DCM : DM = 1:1 (R2), DCM : DM = 1.5:0.5 (R3), DCM : DM = 0.5:1.5 (R4), DCM : DM:S = 1:0.5:0.5 (R5) and DCM : S = 1:1 (R6)) were used for composting of dairy cow manure. Among the composting reactors, composting reactor of R5 was shown the highest temperature of the compost as a $66^{\circ}C$ during composting period. After 3 weeks composting, moisture content of R5 and R6 were 51% and 51.3%, respectively. These values were satisfied with the moisture content standard of livestock manure compost of Korea. We concluded that decomposed manure may be a good moisture control material for dairy cow manure composting when it is used in mixture with sawdust. The optimum volumetric mixing ratio of dairy cow manure and moisture control materials was 50% of livestock manure, 25% of decomposed manure and 25% of sawdust.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.228-238
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• 1991

Cam plays very important roles due to continuous requirement for the high-speed and automation of the machinery. A large number of studies of cam curve were carried out by many researchers, and CNC milling and machining center for manufacturing cam have been widely used recently. The purpose of this study was to develop a CAD/CAM system for cam using QuickBasic language in 16-bit PC for application of cam design and manufacturing. Results obtained were as follows : 1. It was possible to input data by entering cam angle and its corresponding R, from 0 to 360 deg. of cam angle. The tediousness at entering data was minimized because of the same data format for both cylindrical cam and disc cam, and free format used for data file. 2. It was possible to design cam by choosing only the number of cam curve because of developing the CAD/CAM program with dimensionless method of cam curves including widely used 19 kinds. After selecting the number of the cam curve, the CAD/CAM system automatically shows the characteristics of cam motion enough to help a designer to decide : displacement, velocity, acceleration and jerk. 3. It was possible to execute, in an efficient way, both the cam profile synthesis and the generation of NC program for CNC machining center by using the input data. 4. This NC program generated by the CAD/CAM system developed here, was evaluated as positive in relation with actual manufacturing experiments and thought to be useful in its application without any modification. It can be said that this CAD/CAM system could be used by the beginners to design and manufacture the cam automatically as the system consists of very simple dialogue methods. In addition, self-developed QuickBasic would be would used as a basic tool for further stuides in this area of research, together with application.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4_spc
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• pp.775-785
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• 2024

Pork production is a significant agricultural enterprise in the United States and Canada. The United States is the third-largest global producer of pork and Canada ranks seventh in pork production. The North American Free Trade Agreement and its successor, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, have facilitated trade and integration between the two countries. The majority of production systems are modern and intensive, characterized by large vertically integrated farms using advanced technologies. Both nations benefit from their status as major producers of feed grains, with the United States leading in corn and soybeans, while Canada excels in canola and barley production. The regulatory frameworks for food safety, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship differ slightly, with the FDA and USDA overseeing these aspects in the United States, and Health Canada and the Canada Food Inspection Agency in Canada. The United States and Canada also have well-established distribution networks for pork products, relying on both domestic and international markets. Export markets play a crucial role, with the United States being a major importer of Canadian pigs, and both countries exploring opportunities in Asia. Despite a rise in global demand, domestic pork consumption trends differ, with per capita consumption remaining stable in the USA and declining in Canada. Changing consumer preferences, including a demand for ethically raised and locally sourced pork, may influence production practices. Future trends in pig production include a focus on consumer concerns, sustainability, disease prevention, reduction of antimicrobial use, and advancements in technology. The industry is adapting to challenges such as disease outbreaks and changing regulations, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare. Labor and workforce considerations, along with advancements in technology and automation, are expected to shape the efficiency of pork production in the future.