A global manufacturing supplier specializing in comprehensive solutions for food processing projects
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China Shandong Weifang No. 777, Changzhan Road, High-Tech Zone
The TCA Bone Separator is an automatic meat-bone separation equipment specifically designed for poultry, livestock and seafood raw materials with bones. It is widely used for separating meat from chicken frames, duck frames, goose frames, rabbit frames, beef and sheep bone trimmings, as well as fish bones. The equipment operates on the flexible pressure screening principle, utilizing the different physical properties of bone and meat. A tapered screw conveyor pushes the material through a narrow‑gap screen cylinder, where the meat is extruded through the screen holes into a collection hopper, while the bone residue is discharged from the rear outlet, achieving clean and efficient bone‑meat separation.
All food-contact parts are made of food-grade SUS304 stainless steel. The machine is equipped with a frequency‑controlled motor for adjustable separation speed, causing minimal damage to muscle tissue. The separated meat paste is fine in texture, high in quality and very low in bone content, and can be directly used for deep processing of sausages, meatballs, dumplings, ham, luncheon meat and other meat products. The bone residue by‑product can be used to extract chondroitin, produce expanded bone meal, or make animal feed, achieving complete utilization of raw materials. The TCA Bone Separator is a core pre‑treatment equipment for meat processing plants, frozen food enterprises and export‑oriented food companies to achieve efficient utilization of bone meat resources.
Working Principle
The TCA Bone Separator operates on the mechanical pressure screening principle, utilizing the different physical characteristics between bone and meat—specifically, the plasticity of meat and the lack thereof in bone. The bone‑containing materials such as poultry frames are fed into the hopper and then forced by the variable‑pitch tapered screw conveyor toward the screen cylinder. The front section of the screw has a small pitch for crushing and pushing, while the rear section has a larger pitch for compacting and discharge. Under the combined action of axial compressive force and radial shear force, the plastic meat is pressed into and through the fine gaps on the screen cylinder wall, falling into the collection hopper below as meat paste. Hard components such as bone, tendons and cartilage, which lack plasticity, cannot pass through the gaps and are pushed by the screw to the residue outlet, where an adjustable discharge device ejects them.
Some models feature a twin‑shaft linkage structure in the separation zone. The continuously varying gap between the two shafts rubbing and shears the material, allowing more thorough separation of meat paste from the bone, which is then extruded through the screen holes, while hard bone residue is discharged. During operation, a cooling medium can be introduced to keep the material at a low temperature, preventing quality degradation due to temperature rise. The entire separation process is continuous and highly automated.
| Component | Material | Function Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feed hopper | SUS304 stainless steel | Receives bone‑containing materials; guide device ensures even feeding into separation zone |
| Screw conveyor | High‑hardness alloy steel / SUS304 | Variable‑pitch tapered structure pushes material forward and generates extrusion force for separation |
| Screen cylinder | SUS304 stainless steel | Slotted screen holes on cylinder wall allow meat paste to pass into hopper; hole size customizable |
| Separation screen plates | SUS304 stainless steel | Ring‑type plates pressed together; when gap between screw and plates exceeds 0.8‑1mm, repair required |
| Drive system | Alloy steel + R‑series helical hard‑tooth gear reducer | Drives the screw rotation for smooth, low‑noise and long‑lasting operation |
| Drive motor | Frequency motor | 3‑45kW (by model); frequency control for flexible separation speed adjustment |
| Residue discharge device | SUS304 stainless steel | Adjustable bone outlet for controlling separation effectiveness and meat yield |
| Control system | PLC + touch screen | Microcomputer programming control; settings for screw speed, separation time, etc.; multiple recipe storage |
| Frame | SUS304 stainless steel / carbon steel with stainless steel cladding | Stable and corrosion‑resistant structure for easy workshop cleaning and positioning |
Technical Parameters
| Model | Raw Material Capacity (kg/h) | Motor Power (kW) | Dimensions (mm) | Weight (kg) | Meat Yield (%) | Applicable Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCA‑BS‑300 | 160‑260 | 4 | — | — | 68‑78 | Poultry frames, rabbit bones |
| TCA‑BS‑600 | 500‑600 | 7.5‑11 | 1200×880×1200 | 500 | 70‑80 | Poultry frames, fish bones |
| TCA‑BS‑800 | 500‑800 | 11 | 1200×880×1200 | 500 | 70‑80 | Poultry frames, pig throat bones |
| TCA‑BS‑1000 | 800‑1000 | 15 | 1560×980×1360 | 850 | 70‑80 | Poultry frames, medium bones |
| TCA‑BS‑1200 | 1000‑1200 | 15‑18 | 1560×980×1360 | 850 | 70‑80 | Poultry frames, poultry clavicles |
| TCA‑BS‑1500 | 1200‑1500 | 18.5 | 1540×900×1300 | 371 | 70‑80 | Poultry frames, rabbit bones |
| TCA‑BS‑2000 | 1500‑2000 | 15‑18 | 1780×1100×1390 | 950 | 70‑80 | Poultry frames, poultry by‑products |
| TCA‑BS‑2500 | 2000‑2500 | 28 | 2430×1300×1700 | 1600 | 70‑95 | Large poultry bones, pork bones |
| TCA‑BS‑3500 | 3000‑3500 | 35 | 2700×1450×1780 | 2200 | 70‑95 | Large poultry bones, pork bones |
| TCA‑BS‑4000 | 4000‑4200 | 42 | 3200×1580×1860 | 2600 | 70‑95 | Large poultry bones, beef bones |
Note: Technical parameters above are compiled from general specifications of various models across the industry. Specific parameters subject to TCA‘s final design. Capacity and meat yield depend on raw material quality (freshness, bone size, etc.). Bone content in meat paste is generally controllable below 0.1%. Noise level under normal operation ≤80 dB. Large‑capacity units (≥2500 model) adopt dual‑system combined design.
Optimum processing temperature: 0℃ to 10℃. Raw materials should be cleaned, and should not be fully thawed; semi‑frozen materials yield the best separation results.
| Category | Applicable Raw Materials |
|---|---|
| Poultry | Chicken frames, whole chickens, chicken necks, chicken leg cartilage and meat trimmings, triangular bones, chicken clavicles, wing roots, chicken carcasses, bone‑in chicken pieces |
| Duck frames, duck necks, duck clavicles, bone‑in duck gizzards | |
| Goose frames, goose necks, goose wings, mixed poultry frames | |
| Livestock | Pig throat bones, pork cartilage, pork bone trimmings, pork rib trimmings, rabbit frames, sheep bone trimmings, small beef bones |
| Seafood | Fish frames, fish heads, fish racks, small to medium whole fish (after descaling and gutting), shrimp and crab shells |
| Others | Red dates (pitting) for seed removal; comprehensive processing of slaughter by‑products |
Deep processing plants for meat products (Western & Chinese style): Obtain meat paste from residual meat and cartilage on bones to partially replace raw meat in sausages, meatballs, ham, grilled sausages, luncheon meat, large meatballs and similar products, maintaining meat content while reducing production costs and increasing yield and elasticity.
Frozen food enterprises: Raw material extraction of meat filling for frozen dumplings, frozen wontons and frozen buns. The separated frozen meat paste can directly enter the freezing process, providing a continuous supply of high‑quality pure meat filling.
Seasoning and soup base processing enterprises: The separated meat paste can serve as a natural meat essence raw material for instant noodle seasoning packets, hot pot bases, soup bases, meat flavor essences and meat flavor spices.
Export‑oriented food companies: The entire machine is made of SUS304 stainless steel, complying with FDA, HACCP, CE and other international food safety certifications, meeting audit standards for export to Europe, America, Southeast Asia and other markets.
Biopharmaceutical and health food industries: The cleanly separated bone residue is rich in collagen and other active ingredients, suitable for extracting high‑value chondroitin for use in health supplements, pharmaceuticals and functional foods.
Feed industry: The separated bone residue can be processed into expanded bone meal and animal feed additives, achieving secondary utilization of proteins and minerals in animal bones.
Central kitchens / catering distribution: Efficient meat extraction from large poultry frames to produce ready‑to‑use meat paste for bulk production of meatballs, patties and similar items for catering supply.
Pet treat production: Meat paste raw material for wet foods, semi‑wet foods, freeze‑dried pet treats, rawhide chews and jerky products requiring high‑quality protein and natural flavor enhancers.
Frequently Asked Questions
This machine is designed for processing a wide range of food raw materials. Depending on the specific model, it can handle fresh, chilled, or frozen materials within a defined size and moisture range. For optimal performance, we recommend confirming the raw material specifications before ordering.
The equipment is designed to handle potatoes of varying sizes. For certain processes such as cutting or peeling, adjustable settings or size grading solutions can be provided to ensure consistent output quality.
We provide customized solutions based on your factory layout, processing capacity, and production requirements. Our engineering team can assist with line design and technical planning.
Our solution service typically includes process analysis, equipment configuration, line layout drawings, operation guidance, and technical support. Upon request, we can also assist with installation guidance, commissioning, and operator training through online support.
We provide long-term after-sales support for complete processing lines, including technical consultation, troubleshooting assistance, spare parts supply, and system upgrade advice. Detailed operation manuals and maintenance guidelines are provided to ensure smooth daily operation.
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