Machine Trimming Cannabis Dominates the Industry as Hand Trimming is Phased Out
Agriculture technology has evolved immensely within the last decade. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded $3.4B for research and advances in automation technology for processing crops. This project brought attention to the challenges faced by farmers across all sectors of agriculture, and while cannabis is still not legal at the federal level, there was a necessity for the marijuana industry to adopt automation technology as well.
Cannabis cultivators sought ways to incorporate machinery into the post-harvest process to expedite the production involved with taking raw cannabis plants to smokable or consumable final products. With the capabilities of modern technology, automation equipment was slowly being created for the marijuana industry. One of the first to the automation space was Mobius with their flagship M108S Trimmer.
As one of the most time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly parts of post-harvest production, hand-trimming cannabis is a cumbersome process that needed an upgrade. Hand trimming would never be a sustainable model for commercial-scale operations due to operating expenses from seasonal workers and losses throughout the process.
The team of expert engineers and designers at Mobius took on the task of automating the trimming process to eliminate the challenges that come with hand trimming. After iterations of design and testing, the Mobius M108S quickly became the favorite commercial cannabis trimmer used by the top cultivators around the globe.
Automated trimmers, like the M108S, make trimming cannabis fast and easy. This commercial cannabis trimmer was designed for high throughputs and production efficiency without compromising the quality of the flower. The Mobius M108S features stainless steel bed knives that flex against three helical blades, which keep the two cutting surfaces in constant contact, ensuring no gaps or dead spots while trimming. The scissor-like cut delivers a close, consistent trim in a fraction of the time it would take hand trimmers.
The proprietary technology found in the M108S Trimmer set it apart from all others in its category. The patented AirThread Tension Tumbler provides over 50% more access to the blades, so the cannabis spends less time in the trimmer, and processing speeds increase. Constructed with stainless steel and all food-grade materials, the M108S is also easily integrated into GMP-compliant facilities.
The M108S has an impressive throughput rate, capable of trimming up to 60lbs of dry and 120lbs of wet flower per hour. The Mobius Trimmer can also be run in tandem, so throughput and production rates more than double. Downtime is reduced with easy cleaning and tool-free disassembly. The machine is also designed for continuous use, and you can “hot swap” plant-touching surfaces. A hot swap is the process of changing out the AirThread Tension Tumbler, helical blades, and bed knives mid-trim session so you can keep optimal performance of the trimmer and continue production without stopping for a full cleaning of the machine.
Machine trimming lends itself to faster trim times, fewer losses, and a quicker and more consistent speed to market when compared to hand trimming. In streamlining the process through automation, businesses greatly reduce the personnel needed to run the trim room, thus minimizing operating costs.
Cannabis trimmed by hand will have losses throughout the process from sticky gloves and trim trays, and totes that collect plant material, all of which are eliminated with machine trimming. In the Mobius M108S Trimmer, for example, the Variable Function System gives operators control over the tumbler speed, suction, tilt, and blade speed so the machine can be tailored to the strain and moisture level of each run. Cannabis is trimmed faster, and buds spend less time in the trimmer, resulting in maximum trichome retention. With this, the M108S delivers the industry’s closest and most consistent trim.
As the adult-use marijuana market expands, the need for automation technology is made more apparent. Switching to machine trimming is the best option for keeping up with demand and scaling business. A commercial cannabis trimmer like the Mobius M108S will significantly increase productivity and boost revenue while helping to drive consistency in your product. With an expert team of harvest specialists, Mobius is available to assist in automation planning. Contact Mobius to learn more about the M108S Trimmer.