IN MARKET INDUSTRY INSIDER X A ‘cutting edge’ career Here Christian talks to Feedbackabout his role with MLA. Q: Explain your role with MLA ? I focus on automation and objective measurement. The role allows me to consult widely with industry stakeholders to understand needs, and then to develop and implement strategies to adapt and adopt a range of solutions. First we need to demonstrate a proof of concept, then demonstrate a prototype, and finally overcome barriers to have the solution adopted. Previous success has been with industrial robots applied to lamb boning. We’re now making progress with beef automation, on‑farm autonomous systems and industrialised medical X‑ray systems such as dual energy X‑ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to precisely measure carcase composition. 3D X‑ray, otherwise known as computed tomography, will measure the eating quality attribute of intramuscular fat or marbling. Australia’s meat processing industry can thank Q: the back‑breaking work of shearing sheep What are the best parts of your job? for inspiring the career choice of MLA’s Knowing that MLA and the Australian meat industry are Program Manager for Supply Chain Technology, leading the world in technological innovation. Christian Ruberg. MLA is truly at the global cutting edge in applying robots “Seeing a demonstration of robotic sheep shearing in my and X‑ray sensing in challenging circumstances. undergraduate mechatronic engineering degree in 1982 Automation in the car manufacturing industry relies on was the starting point for me,” Christian (pictured) said.every component being identical in a clean environment. Mechatronics is a multi‑disciplinary area of engineering However, what we need in our industry is equipment that combining electrical and mechanical engineering. can manage every animal or meat primal component being In the early days, there was a slight deviation into industrialdifferent, and that works in unstructured and demanding automation and robotics for assembling items such as laserconditions on‑farm, in feedlots and on processing printers while working in North America. plant floors. “But I gravitated to agricultural applications due to theWith our strategic technology partners, we’ve ‘cracked it’ technical challenge, and I worked to develop automation in lamb‑boning automation. solutions and instrumentation in wool metrology,” he said. “Using the most advanced technology to increase our Q: industry’s efficiency and global competitiveness has alwaysHow do you like to eat your red meat? been my personal mission.” I like my steak hot‑seared and rare – basically just wipe Christian Ruberg its nose. But my German heritage kicks in and I also E: cruberg@mla.com.au recommend black pudding (blood sausage), sliced thin and fried in a little butter for breakfast. 46