Patent Publication Number: US-2021187773-A1

Title: Method and system to control, automate, monitor, and shut down a deli slicer

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/678,334, filed on May 31, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The entire contents of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/906,402, filed Feb. 27, 2018, and U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/260,512, filed Jan. 29, 2019, are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatically cutting products, stopping cutting equipment, and monitoring a blade that may come in contact with human body parts. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Systems in a related art may comprise methods such as detecting the resistance of skin and mechanically thrusting the blade of a slicer into a nylon barrier, which in turn stops the blade. The mechanical grabbing of the blade either damages the blade or destroys the blade and this may be undesirable. Other systems may use cameras as a visual means to detect the presence of an operator. Another system may utilize a conductive method and skin resistance. It should be noted that cutting conductive materials creates issues for these systems discussed above. 
     Conductive materials like aluminum or meat eliminates raises issues requiring special provisions and consideration. U.S. Pat. No. 7,924,164 B1 shows an example of a visual system that monitors a body part and a zone triggering a shut down event. Although the visual system may be helpful for training and tracking proximity, it has use and resolution limitations in a dirty environment where gloves, cameras, and equipment can become covered in blood, meat, and liquids. It should also be noted that with fast moving parts and actions, reaction times for vision systems present a challenging issue. 
     In a related art system, some slicers may grab the blade mechanically and cause damage to the blade. 
     In related art deli slicers, an entry point of the deli slicers included a large exposed blade and a sliding guide. The slicing of a deli slice to be a specified thickness and the process of catching slices and folding slices was manually accomplished by a user. With such related art deli slicers, a user also had to guess the weight of a deli slice(s), and add more or less based on trial and error. 
     Some known problems of the related art technologies relate to the precision of movement required by the user. When using a related art slicer, a user must perform a specific set of slicing movements, requiring feel and feed speeds, and must perform catching of the deli slice in a way that presents the product in the way the customer may want to display, store, or utilize. 
     Other issues with related art technologies include the inability to automate the complete process, and issues with infeed, outfeed, weight, and safety. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure addresses several matters such as those described above, and other matters not described above. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be considered key solutions to past problems that have been observed and modified for better results in the production environment. 
     Some embodiment of the present disclosure enable a faster and more reliable slicer system. Past solutions are not designed for automated processing and typically are not designed for production processing. Automated slicer system embodiments of the present disclosure enable faster production and more controlled presentation of sliced products for better customer satisfaction. In an embodiment, a slicer system does not mechanically grab the blade, thus there is no damage to the blade. In an embodiment, resetting the slicer after hard stop takes only 5 seconds to restart. In an embodiment, a sliced product may be automatically stacked and folded with precision to a programmed weight. Some embodiments of the present disclosure also include a magnetic interlock device. Just by walking up to the device, the user may be connected to the slicer. Users may interface with the slicer for loading, programming, and unloading. Embodiments of the present disclosure may allow users time to do other things as the slicer is cutting. In an embodiment, a guard may be automatically enabled when a connection between the user and the magnetic interlock is broken. Embodiments of the present disclosure may automate slicing while protecting the blade from user interface. 
     In an embodiment, a slicer system comprises a slicer. The slicer comprises a slicer blade configured for slicing a product; a first motor configured to rotate the slicer blade; an in-feed table configured to hold the product and move, while the product is sliced by the slicer blade; an out-feed table configured to receive a sliced portion of the product, in response to the slicer blade slicing the product; at least one second motor, each of the at least one second motor configured to move the out-feed table in at least one direction; and at least one processor configured to cause the sliced portion of the product to be received on the out-feed table in a predetermined shape by controlling the at least one second motor to move the out-feed table while the slicer is slicing the product. 
     In an embodiment, the slicer further comprises: a guard configured to cover the slicer blade; and a third motor configured to move the guard between a first position in which the guard covers the slicer blade from an outside and a second position in which slicer blade is unguarded by the guard, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the third motor to move the guard. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one processor is configured to cause the guard to be in the second position in response to a slicing operation of the slicer blade being completed. 
     In an embodiment, the in-feed table is configured to be manually moved by a user, the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a user command to operate the slicer in a manual mode, and keep, while the slicer is operating in the manual mode, the guard in the second position, while the user is manually moving the in-feed table to cut the product. 
     In an embodiment, the slicer system further comprises a user-worn device. The user-worn device comprises at least one magnet; a conductive path; and at least one processor configured to send a signal through the conductive path, wherein the slicer comprises an interface including at least one magnet and a conductive path, the at least one magnet of the interface being configured to magnetically engage with the at least one magnet of the user-worn device, such that the conductive path of the user-worn device is electrically connected to the conductive path of the slicer, and the at least one processor of the slicer is configured to move the guard into the first position or the second position in response to receiving a specified signal from the conductive path of the user-worn device. 
     In an embodiment, the slicer is configured to move the guard into the second position in response to receiving the specified signal from the conductive path of the user-worn device. 
     In an embodiment, the user-worn device further comprises at least one processor configured to send the specified signal to the conductive path of the slicer, via the conductive path of the user-worn device. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one magnet of the user-worn device is configured to extend and retract from a body of the user-worn device while magnetically engaged with the at least one magnet of the interface of the slicer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       A brief description of some representative drawings is provided as follows. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a slicer of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the slicer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a diagram showing examples of how meat may be automatically folded on an out-feed table of the slicer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a lowered position of a guard of the slicer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a raised position of a guard of the slicer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a slicer system of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a user interface of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a glove system that comprises a device that may mount on, for example, a belt of a user, and allows the user connection to a slicer; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a metal detection system of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a vision system of a slicer system; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates gloves of a slicer system; 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a first part of a startup process of a manual mode of an embodiment for checking all systems before starting a slicer; 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates a second part of the startup process of the manual mode of an embodiment for checking all systems before starting the slicer; 
         FIG. 13A  illustrates a process monitoring loop of an embodiment when a slicer is running in a manual mode; 
         FIG. 13B  illustrates a process monitoring loop of another embodiment when the slicer is running in a manual mode; 
         FIG. 13C  illustrates a process monitoring loop of another embodiment when the slicer is running in a manual mode; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates information of zones and performance that may be recorded by a slicer system for performance and safety rating purposes; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates information of zones and performance that may be recorded by a slicer system for performance and safety rating purposes; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a data tracking method of a slicer system; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment in which a slicer has connectivity; and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an embodiment of a dynamic brake of a saw. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In a slicer system embodiment, the slicer system may include two sets of gloves. The first set of gloves may keep the hands warm and dry, and also may be conductive and act as electrodes. The slicer system may verify a user by measuring an impedance between the two gloves in response to receiving a signal from the gloves, thus verifying to the slicer that the user is present and the gloves are connected. The user may also be verified by the slicer receiving contact ID from a device of a glove system, which includes the gloves. The device may send an ID code to the slicer, and the slicer may be connected to a database, such as a database in a cloud computing environment. User statistics, processing speed, and safety statistics may be retained and measured over time by the slicer system. The body impedance of a user can be used to recognize specific people for characterization. Then, an identification code may be sent electronically or optically from a glove system to the slicer, when connected to the slicer. Safety systems, such as a glove system, camera system, and metal detection system, may be provided with an automated slicer system that enables automatic slicing operations and safety guard(s) use. The safety guard use may be automatic in situations such as loading and programming a slicer, and slicing with the slicer. Embodiments of the present disclosure may allow safe, unmonitored use of the slicer by assuring the guard is in place when the interlock is broken or disabled. This assures safe operation for the user and safe automated operation. With saw systems of embodiments of the present disclosure, complex movements required for artistic presentation of the sliced product can be completely automated, programmable, and reproducible. When a slicing operation is complete, the slicer may automatically stop and the guard may automatically open for unloading and reloading. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate views of a slicer  100  of an embodiment. The slicer may be automated and may be, for example, a deli slicer for slicing products such as meat. The slicer  100  may include, for example, a blade  110 , a shaft  120 , a blade motor  122 , an in-feed table  130 , an out-feed table  140 , an in-feed table motor  132 , a screw  134 , an in-feed table stop  136 , an X-axis motor  141 , an X-axis screw  142 , a Y-axis motor  143 , a Y-axis screw  144 , a Z-axis motor  145 , a Z-axis screw (not shown), load cells  146 , a guard  150 , a guard lift mechanism  152 , a table depth adjustment motor  160 , belt driven ball screws  162 , and a safety interlock  170 . 
     The blade  110  may be a circular blade. In an embodiment, the blade  110  may weigh about 5 lbs. The blade  110  may be connected to the blade motor  122 , via the shaft  120 , and the blade motor  122  may cause the shaft  120  and the blade  110  to rotate to perform a slicing operation. The blade motor  122  may include a brake that causes the shaft  120  and the blade  110  to stop rotating. To reduce inertia and weight, the blade motor  122  may be direct driven with the shaft  120 , wherein the shaft  120  is short. 
     The in-feed table  130  may be located adjacent to the blade  110  and hold product, such as meat, to be sliced by the blade  110 . The in-feed table  130  may include an in-feed table stop  136  that assists in holding the product. The in-feed table  130  may be connected to an in-feed table motor  132  that is configured to cause the in-feed table  130  to move relative to the blade  110  such that product on the in-feed table  130  is sliced by the blade  110 . For example, the in-feed table motor  132  may be configured to cause the in-feed table  130  to move linearly in left-right directions, with respect to the view of  FIG. 2 , such that product moves into and away from a cutting edge of the blade  110 . The in-feed table motor  132  may be, for example, a linear actuator such as a ball screw motor. In an embodiment, the in-feed table motor  132  may be connected to, for example, a screw  134  that is connected to the in-feed table  130 . The in-feed table motor  132  may move the in-feed table  130  by causing a linear movement of the screw  134 . 
     The out-feed table  140  may be located below the blade  110  and the in-feed table  130 , such that product cut by the blade  110  is collected on the out-feed table  140 . The out-feed table  140  may be moved in various directions by at least one motor. For example, the slicer  100  may include an x-axis motor  141 , a y-axis motor  143 , and a z-axis motor  145  that are configured to move the out-feed table  140  in x directions (left-right with reference to  FIG. 1 ), y-directions (in-out of the page, with reference to  FIG. 1 ), and z-directions (up-down, with reference to  FIG. 1 ), respectively. Each of the motors may be, for example, a linear actuator such as a ball screw motor. In an embodiment, the x-axis motor  141  and the y-axis motor  143  may be connected to an x-axis screw  142  and a y-axis screw  144 , respectively, that are connected to the out-feed table  140 . Also, the z-axis motor  145  may be connected to a z-axis screw (not shown) that is connected to the out-feed table  140 . The motors may each move the out-feed table  140  by causing a linear movement of the screw in which the motors are respectively connected to. In an embodiment, the slicer  100  may alternatively or additionally include at least one motor that causes the out-feed table to rotate. Because the out-feed table  140  may be controlled to move via the motors, the out-feed table  140  may automatically and precisely cause stacking and folding of product on the out-feed table  140 , after the product is sliced by the blade  110 . For example, product may be stacked as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The out-feed table  140  may include load cells  146  that are configured to detect a load on a top of the out-feed table  140 . For example, the load cells  146  may be connected to a scale  148  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , and may send an input signal to the scale  148  that corresponds with a load force on the out-feed table  140 . The scale  148  may determine the load force based on the input signal. Accordingly, the scale  148  with the load cells  146  may detect a weight of sliced product on the out-feed table  140 . 
     The guard  150  may be configured to surround the blade  110  such as to protect a user from the blade  110 . In an embodiment, the guard  150  may also be configured to surround the in-feed table  130  and the out-feed table  140 . The guard lift mechanism  152  may include a motor and may be configured to automatically move the guard  150  into a guarding position and a non-guarding position. With reference to  FIGS. 4-5 , the guard lift mechanism  152  may move the guard  150  upwards and downwards such that the blade  110  is not guarded and guarded, respectively. When the guard  150  is not guarding the blade  110 , a user may load and reload the slicer  100  with product for cutting. In embodiments, when the guard  150  is not guarding the blade  110 , a user may perform manual cutting with the slicer  100 . For example, the user may manually move the in-feed table  130  to cause the blade  110  to cut product. In embodiments, when the guard  150  is guarding the blade  110 , the slicer  100  may operate in an automatic mode where product is automatically cut and folded by the slicer  100 . 
     The safety interlock  170  may connect with a user-worn system and be an aspect of a safety system. In an embodiment, the safety interlock  170  may be, for example, a magnetic interlock. Also, the safety interlock may be provided at various heights, including belt heights of users. In an embodiment, when a user walks up to the slicer  100  and gets his/her belt close to the safety interlock  170 , the user-worn system and the safety interlock  170  may magnetically engage such that a conductor pathway for communication is provided between the user-worn device and the slicer  100 . For example, the safety interlock  170  may include a set of strong magnets, such as a rare earth magnets, connected to sensor wires, while a waist mounted portion of the user-worn system includes a corresponding set of strong magnets to enable magnetic attraction between the safety interlock  170  and the waist mounted portion of the user-worn device. The poles of the magnets in the safety interlock  170  and the waist mounted portion of the user-worn system may be oriented such that the safety interlock  170  and the user-worn system only connect in a specified orientation, relative to each other. Example embodiments of a user-worn system are described further below. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a slicer system  400  that includes safety systems and enables automated and manual modes of operating the slicer  100 . 
     The slicer system  400  comprises, for example, the slicer  100 , a Point of Sale (POS) system and interface  810 , a cloud computer environment  820 , and a user-worn system such as, for example, glove system  350  associated with a user. The slicer  100  may comprise a slicer monitor system  410  that includes a processor  412 , a control system  413 , an in-feed controller  414 , a slicer motor controller  415 , an out-feed controller  416 , an interface  417 , a user interface  418 , an impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419 , and a safety interlock  170 . The slicer  100  may further comprises the in-feed table motor  132 , the guard lifting mechanism  152 , the blade motor  122 , a motor brake  124 , out-feed motors  440 , and the scale  148 . 
     The processor  412 , the control system  413 , the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419 , the in-feed controller  414 , the blade motor controller  415 , the out-feed controller  416 , and the scale  148  may together or separately be formed of at least one computer processor and memory. The slicer  100  may also comprise, for example, a metal detection system  900 , a camera  180 , and manual controls  426 . 
     The in-feed controller  414  and the out-feed controller  416  may control the in-feed table motor  132  and the out-feed table motors  440  (e.g. x-axis motor  141 , y-axis motor  143 , and z-axis motor  145 ), respectively, to drive a movement of the in-feed table  130  and the out-feed table  140 , respectively. The in-feed controller  414  may also control the guard lift mechanism  152  to lower or raise the guard  150 . Alternatively, the guard lift mechanism  152  may be controlled by a separate controller. The blade motor controller  415  may control the blade motor  122  to drive a rotation of the blade  110 , and may control the motor brake  124  to brake the blade motor  122 , thereby causing the blade  110  to slow and stop. The out-feed controller  416  may also be connected to the scale  148 . 
     The control system  413  may function to receive the various input signals, including sensor data and command inputs, to determine how the blade  110 , in-feed table  130 , out-feed table  140 , and guard  150  is to be operated based on the input signals, and cause the blade motor controller  415 , the in-feed controller  414 , and the out-feed controller  416  to control the motors and the guard lift mechanism  152  in the determined manner. The control system  413  may also control other moving components of the slicer  100 . The sensor data may be provided to the control system  413  by, for example, the metal detection system  900  and the camera  180  via the processor  412 , the glove system  350  via the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419 , the in-feed controller  414 , the blade motor controller  415 , the out-feed controller  416 , and the scale  148 . Command inputs may be provided to the control system  413  by, for example, the user interface  418 , the cloud computing environment  820 , and the manual controls  426 . 
     In an embodiment, the control system  413  may be connected to the processor  412 , interface  417 , and the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  to determine whether the slicer  100  should start or stop operation, based on inputs of the metal detection system  900 , the camera  180 , the glove system  350 , and sensors and controls connected to the interface  417 . 
     The glove system  350  may be connected to the slicer  100 , via the safety interlock  170 , to supply user ID, glove status inputs, and other information to the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419 . In an embodiment, when a user walks up to the slicer and gets his/her belt close to the safety interlock  419 , the glove system  350  and the safety interlock  170  may magnetically engage such that a conductor pathway for communication is provided between the glove system  350  and the slicer  100 . The impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  may determine the identity of a user that uses the glove system  350 , based on the supplied user ID or other information supplied by the glove system  350  that indicates a user ID, and may further determine a state of gloves based on glove status inputs supplied from the glove system  350 , including conductivity values. For example, the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  may measure the impedance across the body of a user as an additional check to the safety interlock  170 . 
     In an embodiment, to improve safety and tracking, the slicer system  400  may also detect whether a user touches the blade  110  with gloves  310  of the glove system  350  (illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) or moves a glove  310  too close to the blade  110 . For example, the slicer system  400  may include metal detection systems and camera vision systems. In such embodiments, the control system  413  may cause the blade  110  to stop rotating and cause the guard  150  to lower when the user is too close to the blade  110 . 
     For example, the metal detection system  900  of the slicer  100  may supply an input signal, such as sensor data, to the processor  412  to determine whether a glove  310  of the glove system  350  is detected in an entryway of the blade  110 . The processor  412  may also detect whether the metal detection system  900  is faulted. 
     It is noted that, while the metal detection system  900  is shown to be above a detection area of the slicer  100  and focused on a training zone  327 , the metal detection system  900  may be at any location and have a detection area  950  of any angle and focus, with respect to the slicer  100 , so long as the metal detection system  900  is positioned to detect a position of a user before the user touches the blade  110 . For example, the metal detection system  900  may be below, above, or on a side of the blade  110 . Also, the metal detection system  900  may be configured to have a detection area  950  that is away, toward, or parallel to the blade  110 . The metal detection system  900  may also include a plurality of sensing devices, such as detectors  910  (illustrated in  FIG. 9 ), that each include, for example, at least one coil for metal detection. The plurality of sensing devices may be positioned around the blade  110  at varying positions and angles to increase the locations in which a user is detected when they are too close to the blade  110 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, a camera  180  may be included with the slicer  100  and may supply image data to the processor  412 , the image data may include images in which the gloves  320  (as illustrated in  FIG. 10 ), the safety zone  325 , the training zone  327 , and an optical barcode corresponding to a user ID are captured. The processor  412  may determine an identity of a user of the glove system  350  based on detection of an optical barcode provided on gloves  320  of a glove system. The processor  412  may also determine whether the image data includes a visual cue that suggests a safety issue with respect to a user of the glove system in their use of the slicer  100 . For example, the processor  412  may determine whether one of the gloves  330  enters within the safety zone  325 . The processor  412  may also detect whether the camera  180  is covered or faulted. The processor  412  and the camera  180  may together be an ultra-high speed vision system wherein the processor  412  has a total processing and output time of, for example, around 0.014 s and a buffered output in case a scan misses closing a relay to give a stop signal. Accordingly, unlike other vision sensors and systems tested, the ultra-high speed vision system can cause the slicer  100  to stop even when an object sensed by the camera  180  is moving fast. 
     The processor  412  may be a plurality of processors. For example, the processor  412  may include at least one processor that performs the functions of the processor  412  that are related to the camera  180 , and may further include at least one processor that performs the functions of the processor  412  that are related to the metal detection system  900 . 
     The interface  417  may function as a communication interface between components of the slicer system  400 , such as the control system  413 , and computing devices, including local computing devices via wired and wireless local networks, and a cloud computing environment  820  via the internet. The interface  417  may also be wired or wirelessly connected to a POS system interface  810  and manual controls  426 , and also be connected to the scale  148 . The manual controls  426  may include, for example, start and stop buttons and emergency stop buttons. The POS system and interface  810  may be at least one computer, comprising at least processor, directly or indirectly connected to the slicer  100  for printing price tags and content labels as well as tracking product types and weight sold. The POS system and interface  810  may have barcode or other product tracking systems for determining the product type and cost. In such an embodiment, the slicer system  400  may identify inventory and track usage and consumption in near-real time. 
     The slicer system  400  may be operated in manual and automatic modes. 
     In an embodiment, a manual mode may be a mode where the guard  150  is automatically raised or lowered depending on whether the glove system  350  is connected to the slicer  100 , via the safety interlock  170 . For example, the guard  150  may be automatically raised when the glove system  350  and the safety interlock  170  magnetically engage and the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  determines that a user is wearing the gloves  330 . Accordingly, a user wearing the gloves  330  that are connected to the safety interlock  170  may perform a manual cutting process with the slicer  100 , load the slicer  100  with product, or unload product from the slicer  100 . In the manual mode, the guard  150  may automatically lower if the slicer system  400  determines that the glove system  350  is disconnected from the safety interlock  170 , the glove system  350  is faulted, or if there is a detected safety concern such as when the slicer system  400  detects that a user touches the blade  110  with a glove  330  of the glove system  350  or moves a glove  330  too close to the blade  110 . When a condition occurs that causes the guard  150  to lower, the slicer system  400  may also control the blade to stop. By lowering the guard  150  at times when a hazard is about to occur or when a stop condition is enabled, and keeping the guard  150  lowered before the slicer  100  is operated, injuries to a user caused by the blade  110  may be better avoided, including injuries that occur when a deli slicer is stopped in preparation for a job. 
     In an embodiment, the automatic mode may be a mode wherein the slicer system  400  keeps the guard  150  in a lowered position, to protect the blade  110 , while the slicer  100  performs an automatic slicing process. The automatic slicing process may include the control system  413  controlling the blade motor  122 , the in-feed table motor  132 , and the out-feed table motors  440  in a manner to form a sliced product having specified characteristics including, for example, a specified weight, slice thickness, and stacking shape. Specified characteristics for the automatic mode may be selected by a user via the user interface  148 . The user interface  148  may be provided on a display of a display device, such as PC, mobile device, or tablet. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the user interface  418  may allow a user to specify characteristics such a weight, slices, slice thickness, stacking parameters, and offsets. The user interface  418  may also indicate whether the safety interlock  170  is engaged with the glove system  350 , and may enable a user to select an automatic and manual operation of the slicer  100 . 
     Before or following a slicing process, the guard  150  may be controlled to be in a raised position to allow a user to load the slicer  100  with product, or unload product from the slicer  100 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , embodiments of the glove system, that may be used as a user-worn system, are described. 
     A slicer system of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may only require conductive gloves, colored rubber gloves, or colored rubber gloves over conductive gloves. In contrast, other slicers may require an operator to use several pairs of gloves and new boots with no holes, and for the operator to have no perspiration or moisture in their clothing. Further, other slicers may require the operator to stand on a grate to isolate themselves from any grounding, due to the whole body sensing of an electrode being used. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the glove system  350  may be an impedance detection glove system that may be used in discerning the present impedance of a human or meat is described. 
     In the slicer  100 , an input signal from the glove system  350  to the slicer  100 , via the safety interlock  170 , may be caused by the closure of an electrical circuit due to physically touching the blade  110 , which is metallic, with at least one of electrically conductive gloves  310 . The electrically conductive gloves  310  may comprise interwoven conductive fibers. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the gloves  310  may be connected to a tether  315  via a conductor  317 , wherein the tether  315  is attached to a connector block  324  that is mounted on a user&#39;s clothing (for example, a belt). 
     The connector block  324  may include at least one processor and memory. The processor of the connector block  324  may output a user ID, glove status inputs, and other information to a slicer, such as the slicer  100  via a connection of the connector block  324  to the safety interlock  170 . The memory of the connector block  324  may store the user ID, glove status inputs, and the other information. The connector block  324  may alternatively or additionally be configured as a moving spring wound retractable block, such that a portion of the connector block  324 , is an extendable portion  325  that may extend or retract. The extendable portion  325  may include magnets for magnetic connection to the safety interlock  170 . The extendable portion  325  may further include a conductive pathway, such as a wire, that is electrically connected to the gloves  310  via the connector block  324 , and may be electrically connected to the slicer  100  via the safety interlock  170 . The conductive pathway may be extendable from and retractable into the connector block  324  by a spring return in the connector block  324 . The spring return may be a viscus damped or constant force spring return to return the extendable portion  325  at a preset speed to prevent whipping while retracting. The electrical pathway and the spring return may enable the connector block  324  to extend and retract a specified distances towards and away from the safety interlock  170 , when magnetically and conductively connected to the safety interlock  170 , such that a user may move within a specified distance without a magnetic and conductive connection between the safety interlock  170  and the connector block  324  on the user being broken. The specified distance may be, for example, 3 inches. When the user moves beyond the specified distance, the magnetic and conductive connection is broken, and the extendable portion  325  of the connector block  324  may automatically retract. In another embodiment, the safety interlock  170  may be configured as a moving spring wound retractable block and include an extendable portion, like extendable portion  325 . If a user wearing the gloves  310  touches the blade  110  while the glove system  350  is connected to the slicer  100 , an electrical circuit between the components may be completed, and the control system may cause the blade  110  to stop in time so that the user is not severely injured and the slicer  100  is not damaged. A concept behind the conductive stop is to allow one to a discern a voltage that represents the glove coming into contact with the ground, in contrast to meat or wet environments. 
     The circuit across the two gloves  310  may represent a bio impedance and can indicate the presence of a worker to initiate calibration and proper operation. Insulators, such as a ground insulator, can be used to electrically isolate a drive mechanism, such as the shaft  130 , from a body of the slicer  100 . Accordingly, the blade  110  may be electrically detectable. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the gloves  310  may be used to cause the blade  110  to stop before the user touches the blade  110 . For example, the gloves  310  may include metal such that the gloves  310  may be detected as a metal object in an entryway to the blade  110 . That is, a metal detection system may detect the gloves  310  as a metal object in the entryway, thereby causing the blade  110  to beginning stopping and stop before a hand of the user is pulled into a mechanism, including the blade  110 . By placing the metal detection system adjacent to an entry point to the blade  110 , such as at the front of the blade  110  where product may be cut, and shielding the detector circuit from detecting metal in certain directions, the metal detection system may be configured to detect metal at the entry point and a detection threshold can be selected. The gloves  310  can also be loaded with metal to obtain a specified threshold for metal detection of the gloves  310  by the metal detection system. The fingertips of the gloves  310  can be proportionally loaded with metal material for detection. In view of the above, the gloves  310  may be both conductive, for detecting the gloves  310  when they touch the blade  110 , and include metal, for detecting metal in the gloves  310  when they are near an entryway to the blade  110 , intrinsically at the same time within a dual safety system of the slicer  100 . Limits and thresholds of the safety system can be easily set and repeated. For example, the limits and thresholds for metal detection and conductive glove detection may be set in the control system  413  of the slicer  100 . 
     With some metal detection sensors and systems, a slicer may not stop if the object being sensed is moving too fast. For example, a slicer may not stop due to a relatively long total processing time of the sensor or system. To solve this issue, a metal detector system of the present disclosure may be used. For example, a metal detector system  900  of the present disclosure may include a focused sensing field directed to the meat tunnel or entry point to the blade  110 . The focused sensing field may be provided by using magnetic shielding in the metal detector system. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the metal detector system  900  may include at least one detector  910 . The detector may be of any type of metal detector known in the art. For example, the detector  910  may be of a technology using beat frequency oscillation (BFO), pulse induction (PI), or very low frequency (VLF). In an embodiment, the detectors  910  may be provided at one or more locations, including at the sides of and above the slicer body. The detectors  910  may be positioned at an entryway to the blade  110 . 
     In an embodiment, the detector  910  may be configured to detect metal in a location by, for example, detecting a change in a magnetic field caused by the presence of metal in the location. The detector  910  may include an excitation coil  920  that produces a magnetic field when provided with an electric current, the magnetic field causing eddy currents to be induced in nearby metal, thereby causing the metal to also produce a magnetic field. The detector  910  may also include a metal detection coil  930  that detects a change in the magnetic field of an area caused when metal in the area is exposed to the magnetic field of the excitation coil  920 . For example, the metal detection coil  930  may produce a corresponding voltage or other response based on the location of the metal with respect to the metal excitation coil  920  and the metal detection coil  930 . 
     The detector  910  may include a detection controller  940 , including at least one processor, that determines whether an output of the metal detection coil  930  corresponds with detection of the metal based on, for example, whether the output of the metal detection coil  930  to the detection controller is above a predetermined level. An amplifier  932  and a demodulator  934  may be used on an output side of the metal detection coil  930  to the detection controller  940 . The detection controller  940  may output a metal detection result to a detection output  942 , such as the controller  164  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The detection controller  940  may be formed in or external to the detector  910 . For example, when external, the detection controller  940  may be connected to a plurality of the detectors  910  to determine a metal detection result for each detector  910 . The detection controller  940  may be integrated with or external to the metal detection system  900 . The processor  412 , described above with respect to  FIG. 6 , may function as the detection controller  940  to one or more detectors  910  from outside the metal detection system  900 . 
     PWM drivers  944  may also be included in the detector  910  for generating a pulse in the excitation coil  920  or the metal detection coil  930 , depending on the type of metal detection technology used. The detection controller  940  may control the PWM drivers  944 . The detector controller  910  may also receive a signal for calibration tuning  946 . 
     The metal detector system  900  may also include shielding material  960  that provides magnetic shielding to at least one of the detectors  910 . For example, the excitation coil  920  and the metal detection coil  930  may be within a shielding profile of the shielding material  960 . In an embodiment, the shielding material may be integrated into or around the slicer body  130 , or at other locations of the slicer  100  where the detectors  910  are located. The shielding material may isolate a metal detection circuit of the detector  910  from metal within and around the slicer body  130 , such that a detection area  950 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , of the detector  910  is shaped. The detector  910  may be positioned and the shielding material  960  may be provided such that detector  910  detects the gloves  310  when the gloves  310  move to an entryway of the blade  110 . The entryway of the blade  110  may be at an aperture of the slicer  100  to the blade  110 . 
     In a safety system embodiment of the present disclosure that includes a metal detector, the processing and output time of the safety system may be around 0.014 seconds and the embodiment may have a buffered output in case a scan misses closing a relay to give a stop signal for stopping the slicer. The safety system may also detect if the metal detector is calibrated and, if the metal detector is faulted, will shut the slicer off when certain conditions are not met. The safety system may record all of the positive hard stops of the slicer and may be viewable to a supervisor or other qualified person. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the input signal to trigger an automatic-stop of the slicer  100  may be based on a visual cue. For example, the glove  310  may be a colored glove  320 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . With reference to  FIG. 10 , a camera  180  may detect when the colored glove  320  enters into a safety zone  325  of a saw blade  328 . Although the saw blade  328  is shown to be a band saw blade, the saw blade may alternatively be, for example, the blade  110  that is circular. A safety zone  325  may be, for example, a cutting path in a range of 2 inches or less in front of the blade. Alternatively, the safety zone  325  may be more than 2 inches from the front of the blade and may include any sized area around the saw blade. Surrounding the safety zone  235  may be a training zone  327 . The colored glove  320  may be green so that it can be reliably distinguished from, for example, fat and veins in a meat product. However, the colored glove  320  may have any color that can be reliably distinguished from a product cut with the slicer blade. 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , an embodiment of a glove of a glove system that may be used in slicer systems is described. 
     To detect an operator while running product, and if a camera should not detect the operator or a colored glove when covered by the product, additional safety measures may be necessary. 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , an embodiment of the disclosure may include a colored glove  331  and a conductive glove  332 , together corresponding to glove  330 , to enable proper connections and insulation, wherein the conductive glove  332  is to be provided under the colored glove  331 . Alternatively, the conductive glove  332  and colored glove  331  may be an inner layer and an outer layer of a single glove, respectively. The conductive glove  332  may include metal for metal detection. Hereinafter, the combination of the conductive glove and the color glove will be referred to as the glove  330 . A user may wear the glove  330  on each hand when operating the slicer  100 . Using glove material that are suitable in the electronics and semiconductor industry may provide proper conductivity in the gloves  330 . The glove  330  may be used in the glove system  350 . 
     A glove during initial tests had an ohm reading of 10 k ohms, which is around the same as a human hand. It was found that the voltage drop through this glove may be too significant and the machine may not sense it. For example, in an experiment, one sensing&#39;s fibers were burned out and would not sense any longer. Thus, in an embodiment of the disclosure, it is preferable that the glove  330  have an ohm reading across the glove  330  at 5 ohms or less. Also, it is preferable to be able to read a voltage in a glove system low enough that a human will not be harmed or feel anything when the glove  330  is conducting to a sensing unit. In order to do this, it may be preferable to have special low voltage inputs on the drive being used, the preferred drive sensing a voltage from 3.5 volts dc and up. This voltage is low enough that a human should not feel the voltage. 
     By using glove systems such as the ones described in  FIGS. 8 and 10-11  with, for example, slicer  100 , the slicer  100  may operate with the same ease as a standard saw in which all operators in plants are currently used to. Also, while  FIG. 11  illustrates gloves  330  to be used in, for example, glove system  350 , the glove system may alternatively use conductive gloves  332  without colored gloves  331 , when visual detection of gloves is not used in a slicer safety system. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12A-B , an example startup process of the slicer system  400  is described. The startup process may be used, for example, when the slicer  100  is in a manual mode. 
     After the slicer  100  is powered on (step  503 ), all systems of the slicer  100  including the slicer monitor system  410  are booted up (step  506 ). Following, the processor  412  determines whether the metal detection system  900  and the conductive touch system of the gloves  330  is working (step  509 ). If at least one of the metal detection system  900  and the conductive touch system is determined to not be working, a fault indicator red LED may be set on (step  512 ) and the slicer monitor system  410  checks whether all safeties of the slicer  100  are determined to be working (step  521 ). If the metal detection system  900  and the conductive touch system is determined to be working, the slicer monitor system  410  determines whether a drive of the slicer  100  is faulted (step  515 ). If the slicer system includes a camera system with camera  180  and colored gloves, the slicer system  400  may also check whether camera system is determined to be working in step  509 , and may also determine whether a drive of the camera system is faulted in step  515 . 
     If a drive of the slicer  100  is determined faulted, a fault indicator red LED is set on (step  518 ), and the slicer monitor system  410  checks whether all safeties of the slicer  100  are determined working (step  521 ). If no drives are determined faulted, the slicer system  410  simply checks whether all safeties of the slicer  100  are determined to be working (step  521 ). 
     If the slicer monitor system  410  determines that not all safeties of the slicer  100  are working, the fault indicator red LED is turned on, if not already on, (step  524 ) and the process loops until all safeties of the slicer  100  are determined to be working (step  521 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12B , once all the safeties are determined working, the slicer monitor system  410  determines whether the conductive and metal detection aspects of the gloves  332  are detected (steps  527  and  530 , respectively). For example, the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  may detect whether a signal is outputted from the glove system  350 . Also, the processor  412  may detect whether one of the gloves  332  is detected by metal detection system  900 . If one of the conductive and metal detection aspects of the gloves  330  is not detected, a yellow LED is lit (steps  533  and  536 , respectively) and the process loops until the aspects are detected. Although not shown in  FIG. 12B , the slicer monitor system  410  may also detect, with the processor  412 , whether camera image data includes at least one of the colored gloves  331  when the slicer system includes colored gloves  331  and a camera system with camera  180 . Similarly, if at least one of the colored gloves  331  is not detected, a yellow LED may be lit and the process loops until at least one of the colored gloves  331  is detected. 
     Once the conductive and metal detection aspects of the conductive gloves  332  (and, in some cases, the presence of the colored gloves  331 ) are detected, the guard  150  may be lifted (step  539 ), and the slicer monitor system  410  determines whether a stop button of the manual controls  426  is working (step  542 ). If no stop button input is received by the control system  413 , the fault indicator red LED is turned on (step  545 ). If a stop button input is received, the slicer monitor system  410  then determines whether an input is received by the control system  413  from a start button of the manual controls  426  (step  548 ). 
     As long as no input from the start button is received, the yellow led is turned to flashing, thereby signaling the slicer  100  is idol (step  551 ). Once an input from the start button is received, the control system  413  controls the blade motor controller  415  to turn on the blade motor  122 , and a green LED is turned on (step  554 ). Following, the startup process is ended. 
     The above-mentioned red, yellow, and green LEDs are not limited to their respective colors and may be any color. Further, the status indicators may be formed to include the above-mentioned LEDs. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 13A-C , example operations of a manual mode of the slicer system  400  after the slicer  100  is started is described. 
     With reference to  FIG. 13A , the slicer monitor system  410  checks whether an input from the stop button is received by the control system  413  (step  603 ). If a stop button input is received, the slicer monitor system  410  causes a normal stop of the slicer  100  and all outputs are reset (step  606 ). If no stop button input is received, the processor  412  determines whether the metal detection system  900  is working with no errors (step  609 ). Although not shown in  FIG. 13A , the processor  412  may alternatively or additionally determine at this time whether the camera system including the camera  180  is working with no errors when included in the slicer system  400 . 
     If the metal detection system  900  (or the camera system, in certain cases) is determined to not be working due to errors, the slicer monitor system  410  causes a fast stop of the slicer  100  and all outputs are reset (step  612 ). If the metal detection system  900  (and the camera system, in certain cases) is determined to be working with no errors, the slicer monitor system  410  determines whether the conductive gloves  332  are connected to the slicer monitor system  410  (step  615 ). For example, the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  may detect whether a signal is outputted from the glove system  350 . 
     If at least one of the conductive gloves  332  are determined to not be connected, the slicer monitor system  410  causes a fast stop of the slicer  100  and all outputs are reset (step  612 ). Otherwise, the slicer monitor system  410  determines whether a stop input is received by the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  from the glove system  350  (step  618 ). For example, the glove system  350  may output a stop signal if one of the gloves  332  in the glove system  350  touches the blade  110 . 
     If a stop input is received, the slicer monitor system  410  causes a fast stop of the slicer  100  and all outputs are reset (step  612 ). Otherwise, the slicer monitor system  410  determines whether a metal detection input is received by the processor  412  from the metal detection system  900  that indicates a stop condition (step  621 ). For example, the processor  412  may determine whether one of the gloves  332  enters within an entry way to the blade  110 . Although not shown in  FIG. 13A , the processor  412  may alternatively or additionally determine at this time whether a camera detection input is received by the processor  412  from the camera  180  that indicates a stop condition. For example, the processor  412  may determine whether one of the gloves  330  enters within the safety zone  325 . 
     If the metal detection input (or the camera detection input, in some cases) is received, the slicer monitor system  410  causes a fast stop of the slicer  100  and all outputs are reset (step  612 ). Otherwise, the slicer monitor system  410  may determine whether all safeties of the slicer system  400  are OK (step  624 ). 
     If at least one of the safeties of the slicer system  400  is not OK, the slicer monitor system  410  causes a normal stop of the slicer  100  and all outputs are reset (step  606 ). Otherwise, normal operation continues. The slicer  100  may function normally until stopped with a shutoff such as, for example, pressing of a stop button or kicking of an emergency kick stop. When normal or fast stop occurs, the control system  413  controls the blade motor controller  415  to turn off the motor  133 , and the guard  150  may be automatically lowered. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 13B-C , alternative example operations of a manual mode of the slicer system  400  after the slicer  100  is started is described. As illustrated in  FIG. 13B , the slicer monitor system  410  does not determine whether the metal detection system  900  and the camera system including the camera  180  is working with no errors. As illustrated in  FIG. 13C , the slicer monitor system  410  does not check whether the conductive gloves  332  are connected to the slicer monitor system  410 , and further does not check whether a stop input is received by the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  from the glove system  350 . Also, it is noted that  FIG. 13A  describes a particular order of steps  615 ,  618 , and  621 . However, steps  615 ,  618 , and  621  may be in any order in an embodiment. 
     As the slicer  100  runs, the slicer system  400  may record operator statistics enabling tracking of performance, safety, and fatigue statistics.  FIGS. 14-15  illustrate information of zones and performance that may be recorded by a slicer system for performance and safety rating purposes. 
     With reference to  FIG. 16 , a data tracking method of the slicer system  400  is described which performs identifying and storing user information for a user ID in conjunction with both training information and slicer stop information to build safety and performance statistics for the slicer monitor system  410  and the user. 
     The slicer monitor system  410  may determine whether a user of a glove system, such as glove system  350 , is detected (step  703 ). If no user is detected, when the guard  150  is down and the system is idle, the control system  413  may accumulate the time the slicer  100  is not in use by time of day buckets for statistics (e.g. 10-11 am 10 minutes 22 seconds). The switches on the access panels and guards may be used to track maintenance and cleaning times and the accumulator&#39;s may also track these times for maintenance and cleaning by tracking various inputs on the access panels and guards (step  736 ). Following, the slicer monitor system  410  may determine whether the slicer  100  is off (step  730 ). If a user is detected, the user is logged (step  706 ); the time of logging, cycles and on time of the slicer system  400  during the user&#39;s operation of the slicer system  400 , and cuts and cut durations of the slicer  100  by the user are logged (step  709 ); and such information of the user is updated in a database (step  712 ). The database may be provided in the memory of the slicer system  410  or externally in, for example, the cloud computing environment  820  or an externally provided memory device. 
     Following, the slicer monitor system  410  may determines whether a slicer sensor is tripped (step  715 ). For example, the slicer monitor system  410  may determine that a metal detection sensor is tripped when a metal detection is received by the processor  412  from the metal detection system  900  that indicates a stop condition. Alternatively or additionally, the slicer monitor system  410  may determine that a vision sensor is tripped when a camera detection input is received by the processor  412  from the camera  180  that indicates a stop condition. Further, the slicer monitor system  410  may determine a slicer sensor is tripped when a stop input is received by the impedance &amp; user ID monitor  419  from the glove system  350 . 
     If no slicer sensor is determined tripped, the slicer monitor system  410  may update hours of safe usage and safe training hour accumulators for the user (step  718 ). Following, the slicer monitor system  410  returns to step  709 . 
     If at least one slicer sensor is determined tripped, the slicer monitor system  410  may update a status of the user in the database (step  721 ). For example, the slicer monitor system  410  may record information concerning the user&#39;s interactions with safety zone  325  and training zone  327  and information concerning the gloves  330  when they touch the blade  110  of the slicer  100 . The slicer monitor system  410  may then store values of such information to accumulators within the database (step  724 ). The slicer monitor system  410  may also save video clips, vision or slicer sensor trip data, and slicer stop information within the memory of the slicer monitor system  410 , or externally in, for example, the cloud computing environment  820  or an externally provided memory device (step  727 ). 
     Following, slicer monitor system  410  may determine whether the slicer  100  is off (step  730 ). If the slicer  100  is determined off, the slicer monitor system  410  may then store values of operation information to accumulators within the database (step  733 ) and return to step  703 . If the slicer  100  is determined on, the slicer monitor system  410  returns to step  706 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of a slicer system  800  that includes the slicer  100  that has connectivity to the cloud computing environment  820  and a display device  830 . 
     Monitoring the performance statistics is very productive when the data is gathered from many sites. For example, site data can be compared and become valuable to a larger population of users. The safety and performance data as shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15  enable ranking and safety ratings for operators. Such data may be collected by the slicer system  800 . The slicer  100  may be IP addressable and have Ethernet and WiFi capability. The slicer  100  may be controlled by an attached computer such as a CPU with memory, such as ROM or RAM having computer executable instructions written therein. Alternatively, the slicer  100  may be controlled by computing resources distributed in a cloud computing environment  820 . The cloud based statistics and training enable an application on a display device  830 , such as a PC, mobile device, or tablet, to show each manager the operator data for evaluations, training and propensity for safe operation. All together this enables a safer slicer, a safer environment, informed management, informed operators and overall method of safe operating ecosystem. 
     A network of processing equipment that communicates through a network together and track performance and assets running. Slicer blade hours of usage, replacement times and preventive maintenance for replaceable items and repair. Even cleaning times can be tracked. Pushing information up to the cloud for reporting and service models. 
     Additionally, because the entire drive system and braking system of an embodiment of the present disclosure may be electronic, a slicer may be restarted quickly after an automatic-stop is triggered. For example, after an automatic-stop event, an operator may need only to push a button to reset the system, confirm that safety systems are working by, for example, showing a glove to a camera or having it be detected by a metal detection system, and resume cutting. It is emphasized that due to the rapid stopping time, the blade of the slicer is not significantly damaged even though it may make physical contact with the conductive glove. 
     In order to prevent harm or damage, it is also beneficial to stop the blade as fast as possible. Prior systems would destroy the blade by mechanically crashing the blade into a nylon block. It is desirable to stop the blade without destroying the blade. In some embodiments of the present disclosures, a blade can be stopped within 0.1 seconds, without the blade being braked or controlled electrically. Instead, a lower wheel would be stopped. In some embodiments, this would cause the blade to travel around 8′ in blade length after the lower wheel was stopped. This allowed the blade to bite into the material and stop both wheels almost simultaneously without any damage or dulling to the blade. This also decreased the stopping time to under 0.05 second from 1200 RPM to 0 RPM. The braking force can be programmable and we can engage the energy required to stop the blade in less time as it relates to the ability to cut as determined by linear inches of blade rotation. We typically see this as less than 8″ of blade movement while touched, Ideally less than 4″ as the speed is decreasing from full speed to zero in that distance. Stopping time is a critical function of some system embodiments of the present disclosure. It is assumed that a stopping time of 0.1 seconds is plenty fast enough that an operator would not be injured. Some AC motors, permanent magnet motors, and servo motors, cannot achieve a machine stop time of under 0.1 seconds. However, after calculations and experimentation by the inventor, a solution was found with a specific type of motor and gear box. A motor of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes very low inertia, and a motor and gearbox of an embodiment are able to output enough torque to stop without being damaged in the process. 
     Blade brake time and travel time when stopping the blade  110  can be decreased by altering the system inertia by keeping the blade weight and shaft weight to a minimum. For example, by using a blade and shaft that are aluminum or include aluminum, the system accomplishes faster braking. Furthermore, eliminating the gear box and using a direct drive motor in an embodiment, the deli slicer may have reduced inertia and reduced stopping times. With reference to  FIG. 18 , a dynamic braking system  200  that may be included in the slicer  100  is described, in which brake performance can be achieved using blade  110  and the shaft  130 . Dynamic breaking system  200  comprises, for example, an AC input  260 , a motor control or variable speed drive  240 , switches  220 ,  230 , load resistor  210 , and an AC motor  250 , as the motor  133 . The motor control or variable speed drive  240  receives power supplied from the AC input  260  and controls the AC motor  250 . The brake may be an electrically engaged brake and clutch assembly may be incorporated into the motor assembly. 
     On nearly all gearboxes that can be standard ordered, the gearboxes are only offered with steel shafts. Since the slicer  100  may be direct driven from an output shaft, and the output shaft may be exposed to wash down and very caustic chemicals, the shaft and carrier assembly may be made with specialized components. For example, the shaft and carrier assembly may be made from proprietary stainless steel parts from Hollymatic to meet the inertial specifications. 
     Since the deli slicer may be direct driven from an output shaft on the motor, and the shaft is exposed to wash down and very caustic chemicals, the shaft and carrier assembly may be made with specialized components. For example, the shaft and carrier assembly may be made from proprietary stainless steel parts from Hollymatic to meet the inertial specifications. 
     The slicer  100  may use, in addition to dynamic breaking spring sets, magnetic braking for even lower braking times. The KEB magnetic braking system is a good example of an additional magnetic spring set clutch that can be engaged to act as an additional brake to help stop the slicer  100  faster. The pre-tensioned springs may be held back with a magnet that is energized while the blade motor  122  is in use. When the blade motor  122  is required to break the magnet, power is released and the springs brake the blade motor  122  in addition to the dynamic braking for maximum stopping times. 
     The deli slicer stop calculations and steps are listed below and requires no mechanical blade grabbing as other prior technologies have done to accomplish fast braking. It should be noted that operational up time and blade damage are concerns with mechanical grabbing of the blade. 
     Specifications for a dynamic breaking system  200  of an embodiment may be determined, for example, by the following slicer stop calculations and steps. By determining the specifications via the described slicer stop calculations and steps, fast breaking may be achieved without using mechanical blade grabbing that has been implemented in related art technologies in attempt to achieve fast breaking. Accordingly, the issues of reduced operational up time and increased blade damage that occur with mechanical blade grabbing of a slicer blade may be better avoided. 
     Step 1—Determine the Total Inertia
         J T =Total inertia reflected to the motor shaft, kilogram-meters 2 , kg-m 2 , or pound-feet 2 , lb-ft 2          

     J m =motor inertia, kilogram-meters 2 , kg-m 2 , or pound-feet 2 , lb-ft 2    
     GR=The gear ratio for any gear between motor and load, dimensionless 
     J L =load inertia, kilogram-meters 2 , kg-m 2 , or pound-feet 2 , lb-ft 2  (1.0 lb-ft 2 =0.04214011 kg-m 2 ) 
     Step 2—Calculate the Peak Braking Power 
     J T =Total inertia reflected to the motor shaft, kg-m 2    
     ω=rated angular rotational speed, 
     N=Rated motor speed, RPM 
     t 3 -t 2 =total time of deceleration from the rated speed to 0 speed, seconds 
     Pb=peak braking power, watts (1.0 HP=746 Watts) 
     Compare the peak braking power to that of the rated motor power, if the peak braking power is greater that 1.5 times that of the motor, then the deceleration time, (t3-t2), needs to be increased so that the drive does not go into current limit. Use 1.5 times because the drive can handle 150% current maximum for 3 seconds. 
     Peak power can be reduced by the losses of the motor and inverter. 
     Step 3—Calculating the Maximum Dynamic Brake Resistance Value 
     V d =The value of DC Bus voltage that the chopper module regulates at and will equal 375 Vdc, 750 Vdc, or 937.5 Vdc 
     P b =The peak braking power calculated in step 2 
     R db1 =The maximum allowable value for the dynamic brake resistor 
     The choice of the Dynamic Brake resistance value should be less than the value calculated in step 3. If the value is greater than the calculated value, the drive can trip on DC Bus overvoltage. Remember to account for resistor tolerances. 
     Step 4—Determine the Minimum Resistance 
     Each drive with an internal DB IGBT has a minimum resistance associated with it. If a resistance lower than the minimum value for a given drive is connected, the brake transistor will most likely be damaged. 
     Step 5—Choosing the Dynamic Brake Resistance Value 
     To avoid damage to this transistor and get the desired braking performance, select a resistor with a resistance between the maximum resistance calculated in step 3 and the minimum resistance of the selected chopper module. 
     Step 6—Estimating the Minimum Wattage requirements for the Dynamic Brake Resistor 
     It is assumed that the application exhibits a periodic function of acceleration and deceleration. If (t3-t2)=the time in seconds necessary for deceleration from rated speed to 0 speed, and t4 is the time in seconds before the process repeats itself, then the average duty cycle is (t3-t2)/t4. The power as a function of time is a linearly decreasing function from a value equal to the peak regenerative power to 0 after (t3-t2) seconds have elapsed. The average power regenerated over the interval of (t3-t2) seconds is Pb/2. The average power in watts regenerated over the period t4 is: 
     P a , =Average dynamic brake resistor dissipation, in watts 
     t 3 -t 2 =Elapsed time to decelerate from rated speed to 0 speed, in seconds 
     t 4 =Total cycle time or period of process, in seconds 
     P b =Peak braking power, in watts 
     The Dynamic Brake Resistor power rating in watts that will be chosen should be equal to or greater than the value calculated in step 6. 
     Step 7—Calculate the requires Watt-Seconds (joules) for the resistor 
     In order the ensure that the resistors thermal capabilities are not violated, a calcualtion to determine the amount of energy dissipated into the resistor will be made. This will determine the amount joules the resistor must be able to absorb 
     P ws =Required watt—seconds of the resistor 
     t 3 -t 2 =Elapsed time to decelerate from ω b  speed to ω 0  speed, seconds 
     P b =Peak braking power, watts 
     Actual cutting and movement frictions and the addition of spring set magnetic braking combined with dynamic braking can reduce the actual slicer movement to just several inches to provide maximum safety. 
     Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the disclosure based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s). 
     It should be noted that although a few embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible to embodiments of the present disclosure without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the embodiments. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments as shall be defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific example embodiments disclosed. 
     Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.