Description
A fully refurbished Marel I-Cut 36 portioning machine is offered for sale for industrial portioning of whole fish and fish fillets to fixed target weight and length. This machine is typically used in fish processing lines where fillets and whole fish differ in size from piece to piece, but portion weights still need to stay within tight limits for packing and sale.
In daily operation, fish is placed directly on the infeed conveyor and fed through the machine without any special preparation. As the fish moves forward, it is measured and the cutting positions are calculated automatically according to the selected portioning program. When the calculated cutting point reaches the knife section, the blade accelerates and makes a clean, fast cut. The finished portions are then transferred straight onto the outlet conveyor and continue to weighing, grading, packing, or freezing equipment without interrupting the line.
The cutting section supports both straight cuts and angled cuts at 45 degrees. This is useful when portions need to look longer or fit better into retail trays or foodservice packaging. Different knife versions can be used depending on whether the line is running whole fish or fillets. The sensor system works without fast-moving mechanical parts and does not require water during cutting, which simplifies daily operation and cleaning.
Cutting Logic of the Marel I-Cut 36:
Marel I-Cut 36 is built around a measurement-based portioning concept. Each fish is measured before cutting, and the control system uses real dimensions to decide where every cut should be made. This allows the machine to work reliably even when fillets coming down the line are thick in one section and thin in another, or when fish length varies throughout the shift.
The infeed and outfeed conveyors are driven separately, so the movement of the fish through the cutting zone stays stable even when line speed changes. Cutting speed and belt speed can be adjusted depending on what the line is running. For example, slower speeds can be used for delicate fillets, while higher speeds suit larger volumes of uniform fish. Operators can store up to 84 different portioning programs, which means the machine can switch quickly between different fish sizes, portion weights, or customer specifications without resetting everything manually.
Using Marel I-Cut 36 in Practice:
In real production, the Marel I-Cut 36 helps keep the portioning stage predictable over long runs. Once a program is selected, the machine continues cutting to the same logic throughout the shift, which keeps weighing results stable and packing running smoothly. This reduces the need for constant operator corrections and makes line output easier to plan.
The same machine can be used for both whole fish and fillets, which is practical for plants that change their product mix during the week or work with different customer orders. Instead of changing machines or reworking the line, operators switch programs and continue running. This makes the Marel I-Cut 36 a solid choice for processors who want a dependable portioning machine that fits naturally into everyday fish processing, not just into ideal test conditions.
Technical characteristics of Marel I-Cut 36:
• Maximum cutting speed: up to 1,000 cuts per minute
• Infeed belt speed: 20–500 mm/s
• Knife speed: up to 1,000 cuts per minute
• Scanning system: laser-based 3D measurement
• Cutting angles: 45° and 90°
• Belt width: 300 mm
• Maximum product dimensions: 900 × 300 × 150 mm
• Program memory capacity: up to 84 programs
• Portioning accuracy: approx. 97–98%
• Electrical power requirement: approx. 8 kW
• Power supply: 3 × 400 V
• Machine dimensions (L × W × H): 3,250 × 1,300 × 1,850 mm
To discuss purchasing the Marel I-Cut 36 or request additional details, please contact us.