Final answer:
The spiky piece is known as the meat gripper or food pusher, which holds the meat securely against the blade of a slicer. It is a safety feature in food processing machinery to ensure consistent cuts and prevent operator injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spiky piece that holds the meat against the blade on the slicer is commonly referred to as the meat gripper or food pusher. This component is crucial for maintaining the meat in a secure position as it comes into contact with the blade, ensuring a consistent cut and enhancing safety by keeping the operator's hands away from the moving blade. The inclusion of this part can be found in various machinery that involves the processing of food items, particularly where precision and safety are paramount.
The specified machinery seems to be a part of an industrial process where sharp blades and possibly corrosive chemicals are used to process shells into polished steel. Thus, the presence of safety machinery and protocols, including the lever to engage with the meat gripper or food pusher, are critical elements in the overall operation. The mention of removing jagged pieces to maintain the polishing quality of the steel emphasizes the importance of precision in the manufacturing process.