FTC Sweden is working on a new design to replace its whitefish machine FDS3N. The idea came after building in 2004 a special FDS3N for I&J in Cape Town. The purpose was to increase yield compared to its existing machines.
After intensive testing, the result was that I&J and its subsidiary in Argentina, Alpesca, increased yield by 3-5 per cent of fillet weight.
FTC-Sweden underlines that one per cent improved yield means that the pay back of a new machine is about 12 month on a one shift operation but 3-5 per cent means about a few months pay-back.
The main reason for the improvement in yield is that the band knife moves during operation. The knife must therefore be set to allow for this +/- movement.
This movement can be reduced by a number of improvements in design:
* Making the knife more tangential to the drum
* Supporting the knife better
* Improve the cleaning of the knife
* Making the total machine more stable
* Improving the band knife
