Tackling skinning head-on
The first machine of its kind that is able to take the salmon fillets head-first it was the result of a collaborative project between the Icelandic firm and Townsend Engineering from Des Moines.
Joe Gross, the mechanical engineer who led the design of the machine – which went from concept to completion in only 18 months – explained to Fish Farming Expert the value of the new design.
“As the machine can take the salmon head-first, it means that the fillets don’t have to be reversed before going into the machine, so fewer people are needed in the processing factories, thus saving costs.
“The design also leads to less damage and less gaping, improving the quality of the fillets, and there are different settings which allow it to produce anything from a very deep skin to a thin, silver skin.”
Michael Hjortshoj, Marel’s Product Marketing Manager, added: “We already have several of these prototypes taking in part in locations near our Danish base, and the new design should be free for sale by the end of 2015. We’ve had lots of interest at the show and at least one machine sold already.”
The MS-1710 is able to skin 25 fillets per minute and each unit is expected to sell for €64,500.
