An intelligent machine is more than a touchscreen

This intelligence ensures top performance and hygiene without depending on human input or judgment. Instead of relying on operator skills, the Nuova-i and VC-i combine mechanical precision with a smart digital base for the most efficient process possible.

HMI control

Even though these i-machines are advanced, they are easy to operate. The HMI (Human-Machine Interface) touchscreen is very straightforward to use and requires little training. Half an hour’s instruction will do. Controlling the machine digitally, backed by SmartBase software, is about choosing ‘recipes’. Operators no longer adjust levers or hand wheels. Instead, they control the i-machines via the HMI. It shows a control menu with recipes that are pre-installed by JBT Marel or the poultry processor and are based on historical data gathered per flock. The recipes define the specific processes for a variety of flocks. Changing settings between flocks poses no problems. With a single tap on the screen, the i-machine will remember previous successful flock settings. 
The display also provides overviews of machine health and performance and can issue alerts.

Automatic adjustments

The digital recipes, which take flock anatomy into account, are responsible for setting the machine. This eliminates the need for manual adjustments based on guesswork or gut feeling and reduces the risk of human error when setting the machine. With a few simple presses on the screen, all (or most) adjustments of the machine are set in their optimal way to handle the specific characteristics of the incoming flock of birds. Is it a flock of heavy broilers? Then, with a press of a screen button, the machine settings will adjust themselves to handle the large dimensions. Like this, each flock will be processed in a dedicated fashion, ensuring a higher yield. 

When concept chickens with longer legs come in, the recipe adapts height or guides accordingly. Product Technologist Eva van der Velde explains, “Every operator knows what to do. When a heavy flock arrives, you simply select the right recipe on the touchscreen. The machine settings then adjust themselves. When light birds come in, you press the small-chicken icon to activate the corresponding settings; it is as simple as that. This works wonderfully. Performance stays incredibly stable.”

Sensors

Integrated sensors give the i-machine ‘eyes’ to see the results of its actions and measure performance. It starts with product sensors, that count products, and see if a product is present or not. 
A specific sensor in the VC-i is PUPIL (Precision Unified Processing with Intelligent Learning). This AI-based optical sensor monitors vent-cutting performance in real time. It identifies incorrectly cut or positioned cloacas and ‘one-leggers’ with full objectivity and no human bias. PUPIL vision technology replaces manual observation by operators, providing real-time insight into the machine’s performance and settings. 

SmartBase software

The intelligence of VC-i and Nuova-i comes standard with SmartBase internal software. It works together with the sensors to enable full machine monitoring. This includes two main functions:

• Machine health status
  It is possible to "take a look into the machine" while it is running. The HMI screen gives a clear overview of the machine's real-time status. 
  The SmartBase dashboards show a lot of useful information, including runtime statistics for sensors and generators, precise calibration details, key temperature readings, and an overview of active alarms.This information helps make well-informed decisions, proactively prevent costly downtimes, and keep machines running at peak efficiency.
• Performance measuring
  SmartBase provides real-time and historical, objectively measured performance reports, for example after each recipe change. The data includes machine performance (down to carousel unit level) and product loss. This removes the need for manual counting or assessment, saving labor.
  SmartBase can display historical performance data to reveal potential trends. When performance drops below a set threshold—for example below 96%, which impacts the total performance of the evisceration line—operators receive a prompt to investigate. Is a drill or spoon clogged? Is there a piece of meat stuck somewhere? Each unit of the machine can be checked remotely, moving the evisceration line closer to a ‘lights-out’ process. The goal of these real-time performance insights is simple: better insights help plant managers make immediate, targeted decisions, leading to better results across all flocks and shifts.

Connected

The ‘i’ intelligence also includes connectivity, opening many options for machine communication. Only if wanted, poultry processors can choose to connect the SmartBase i-machine to the cloud. This gives secure access to the data from anywhere. It is possible to monitor all data remotely from a central control room or a mobile tablet. Through the dashboards, all relevant production and machine data—both real-time and historical—are safely accessible.
If desired, poultry processors can also connect the i-machines to the JBT Marel back office. A remote service program is ready to provide tailor-made support with updates, data monitoring, reporting, maintenance instructions, and service guidelines. This does away with the need for a JBT Marel engineer to be physically present on site.

Alerts

The intelligence of VC-i and Nuova-i gives confidence in the production line, because it is data-driven and depends less on human interpretation. Eva van der Velde says, “In the past, when something seemed to be wrong, Technical Service was called immediately, losing hours to checks. Now, with the intelligent systems, figures stay consistent and uptime is near maximum. If any unit underperforms, the screen shows it in real time, giving us plenty of time for preventive action.”
Thanks to this intelligence, processors now have reliable, actionable data at their fingertips—enabling predictive maintenance and even yield forecasting.

Intelligence that drives the future

The VC-i and Nuova-i represent a new era in evisceration. Their built-in intelligence delivers stable performance, top hygiene, and full control—all with minimal operator input.
By connecting smart sensors, self-adjusting recipes, and real-time data, JBT Marel enables processors to make evisceration more consistent, efficient, and data-driven than ever before.