Meat Processing Data Collection System Upgraded for HACCP Requirements

In response to HACCP requirements and the need for faster line speeds and more information, Anitech Information Systems (Markham, Ontario) recently upgraded its 15 year old DT-100 system and launched the DT-500 Data Collection System.

The DT-500 enables plants to meet HACCP requirements, respond to customer and producer demands, improve yields, and enhance management controls. The new version allows slaughterhouse/packers to collect carcass information such as scale weight, grade, tattoo ID, viscera, pH, and veterinary information for use by management, government, producers and customers. Operating at speeds in excess of 1,800 carcasses per hour, the system provides a complete audit trail of every carcass killed and processed in the plant, with every bit of information date and time stamped.

Simple to install and operate, easy to customize, and very reliable, the system can be configured for all plant sizes and operate at any line speed. The system includes Anitech's DT-500 Terminal - a specially designed pentium class computer that incorporates touch screen data entry within a completely sealed stainless steel case that is about the size of a telephone book. Since DT-500 terminals are designed to operate in the harsh kill floor environment, a terminal can be placed wherever a plant wants to collect data on carcasses.

Also included is DT-500 Software - a comprehensive network program specially designed for meat slaughterhouses. The software processes data as it is being entered using a commercial 'mission critical' operating system.

The data collection software features a full graphic user interface (GUI), giving each operator a full view of their current position, station, and system status. Full screen display eliminates confusion and allows operators to see exactly which carcass they are currently working on. The system runs on the leading commercially available real time operating system. Users are not committed to a proprietary O/S, increasing flexibility and reliability. A manager in any remote location can monitor, in real time, plant floor operations from an office computer. Also, the system facilitates the use of vision trolley systems.

While all data collection nodes are networked to a central control and collection computer, each DT-500 data collection node can collect and store data, independent of the overall network status.

All data collection DT-500 computers are fully inter-changeable and the complete O/S, GUI, and data collection application are stored in the DT-500's solid state flash memory, eliminating the need for fault prone disk drives, especially in the kill floor environment.In addition to the standard grade, weight, veterinarian, and viscera data, a user can program the system to collect operator input on any carcass parameter they chose.

Compatible with most management reporting software, DT-500 software is fully supported by Anitech.

DT-500 Product Features:

• Enables plants to meet HACCP requirements by providing the reliable 'audit trail' critical for HACCP compliance.

• Designed to handle data collection on new, high-speed production lines. A graphic user interface and touch screen data entry reduces operator error and improves productivity.

• Eliminates the threat of a plant shut down due to a computer network failure. Should the computer network fail, each terminal can collect data independently for a full shift. Once the network is restored, data from each terminal is automatically downloaded into the network.

• Fully Year 2000 compliant.

• Management can access the DT-500 terminals from any remote location through the Internet or a corporate network to monitor kill floor operations in real time. Comparisons of production levels at different plants are simplified.

• By collating information in real time carcass identification is processed throughout the day making the reconciliation of carcass identification much easier.

• The amount of information available to livestock producers can be increased. Yields related to such variables as feed and genetics can be accurately calculated and reported.

• Each DT-500 accepts color video camera input for those plants using systems to track trolley or tattoo numbers. This offers substantial savings and eliminates the need to buy separate computers for video ID systems. It reduces problems associated with running cables off the kill floor for each video camera.

• An optional machine vision feature can analyze carcasses and cuts to maximize yields and meet the criteria of specific export markets.

For more information contact Anitech Identification Systems Inc., 620 Alden Rd., Suite 101, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 9R7. Tel: 905-477-6950; Fax: 905-477-6956.