JBT Marel showcases SingleFeed for automated product singulation
Our member JBT Marel is showcasing SingleFeed, a system designed to create a reliable flow of individual poultry products for downstream processing by automating the singulation of bulk products.
The challenge: turning bulk flows into individual pieces
Whether poultry products have been temporarily stored in bulk bins after deboning or purchased in large volumes for retail packing, processors must first separate them into individual pieces before downstream processes such as inspection, grading or portioning can begin. Traditionally, this task requires multiple operators working manually alongside the production line, which can create a production bottleneck. SingleFeed automates this critical step by converting bulk products into singulated pieces, helping processors reduce labor dependency while ensuring a consistent product infeed for high-performance automated systems.
With automated singulation, poultry processors can reduce labor requirements by two to six operators, depending on product type, application and line speed.
A predictable flow for downstream equipment
SingleFeed places products individually on the conveyor, creating a continuous and predictable flow for downstream equipment such as grading systems, SensorX, RoboOptimizer with I-Cut, RoboPacker and RoboBatcher solutions.
Designed for both off-line bulk handling and in-line random product flows, SingleFeed can process a wide range of boneless poultry products, including breast fillets, tenderloins, deboned thighs, strips and sandwich fillets. Its compact footprint allows processors to integrate SingleFeed into existing facilities without requiring significant floor space.
Dry, appealing products
In many markets, particularly those using air-chilling, product appearance is a key quality factor, and excess moisture can negatively affect product presentation and consumer perception. SingleFeed uses a dual-lane design with counter-running conveyor belts and vacuum technology to guide products into two continuous streams. While many vacuum-based systems rely heavily on water to function properly, SingleFeed is designed to minimize product wetting while maintaining reliable performance. Only the conveyor belt is lightly moistened, while the product itself remains largely dry throughout the process. This approach helps processors meet market expectations, reduce water usage and maintain product quality as well as appealing presentation.
Easy operation and maintenance
SingleFeed is designed for straightforward daily operation. An intuitive HMI touchscreen provides operators with direct access to machine settings, production information and system alerts. Adjustments during production, such as product spacing or lane offset, are hardly needed, and setting up the system requires very little time, as does troubleshooting.
By transforming bulk or random product flows into reliable, singulated streams with no manual handling, SingleFeed enables processors to create a well organized infeed for more efficient downstream processes, helping them deliver the retail-ready, appealing products their customers demand.
More information about SingleFeed is available at jbtmarel.com/SingleFeed.
