Material to simulate frozen flesh/meat for cutting 1

[ESTinker]

Is there something out there that can simulate frozen flesh or meat for cutting that is inorganic, something that doesn't stink or cause bacteria growth? Need to run it thru a deli meat slicer.

I was thinking about using foam sponges and freezing it into an ice block but was thinking there's probably something better out there.

 

[EdStainless]

Ballistic gel? The density and 'hardness' are about right.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[IRstuff]

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Ballistics-Gel

https://www.clearballistics.com/shop/10-ballistic-gelatin-fbi-block/

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[ESTinker]

Ballistics gel hadn't thought about that.

Thanks!

 

[IRstuff]

You'll have to make it yourself if you're budget conscious

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[btrueblood]

Ballistics gel will not meet the "inorganic", "won't stink" and "won't feed bacteria" requirements. Gel itself (in the cheap stuff used by ballistics labs), can smell strongly of the animal bones it is derived from. Knox gelatin or Jell-O are de-stinked versions of the same stuff - but these too will start to smell after it warms up and starts feeding bacteria.

 

[TugboatEng]

I'm thinking just blocks of ice would be sufficient. Meat doesn't add abrasiveness or any properties that would make cutting more difficult.

 

[IRstuff]

Deli meat slice thickness varies considerably. My usual order would result in a pile of shaved ice if block ice were the simulacra

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[EdStainless]

I have seen versions of gel with anti-bacterial agents added.
No, it won't be safe for long term but for few days at a time it would be fine.
The only stuff that I ever used had no smell to it, until it started growing.
It also had an indicator in it that responded to the pH from bacterial growth.

If you could get the density of a foam correct it might work.
It would take a few comparison calibration runs to validate it.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[TugboatEng]

Meat is fibrous. If you want to simulate the texture perhaps you could take Poly-Fil and compress it down to a volume that would leave 75% air space and then fill with water.

https://www.michaels.com/original-poly-fil-premium-fiber-fill-bag-20oz/10509852.html

Synthetic fiber won't breed bacteria nor will it be abrasive like cotton or other natural fibers.

 

[MedicineEng]

Just or of curiosity, why would you want a meat substitute to test a meat slicer?

Why don't just buy a cut of cheap meat and try it out in the machine?

 

[ESTinker]

Why not just use meat, cause organic material that get into cracks, holes, etc.. will cause bacteria growth and stinks. Just need to have something to test without having a big cleanup and washdown.

 

[Compositepro]

Use rolls of toilet paper or paper towels.

 

[IRstuff]

Why not just use meat, cause organic material that get into cracks, holes, etc.. will cause bacteria growth and stinks. Just need to have something to test without having a big cleanup and washdown.

But, isn't that the precise reason for tests that mimic real life? If your design is so bad that it takes you hours to clean the system after a day's use, then your design is not ready prime time nor better than current systems that do have to deal the mess.

Existing supermarket slicers probably can be broken down and cleaned in about 15 minutes.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[ESTinker]

This is just a concept build to test feasibility, it requires a lot more time or resources to make an finalized machine.