Tackling the problem head on

Published Last updated

Called the MS 1710 Salmon Skinner it stands out for the way it skins fillets head first, without any loss in quality or capacity. 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.” As salmon fillets are processed with the head first in all processing steps prior to skinning, fillets no longer have to be turned around to be skinned. The reduced handling ensures a better flow on the line, while the risks of damaging the fillet and bacterial contamination are significantly reduced. The machine’s unique top feeds enable each lane to operate independently and minimize gaping by lifting off the product. 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.