Versatile sorters

THERE will always be a bad fruit or vegetable in the crate, but it needn’t reach the consumer.  Most sorting solutions on the market today can easily identify pieces according to a customer’s specifications including colour, shape and texture. At the same time, they can recognize between the edibles and the foreign objects, and simply separate these from the rest.

 

The Focus® sorter, exhibited by Concept Engineers B.V. at Fruit Logistica this year, was designed to detect such optical deficiencies in fruit, vegetable and even seafood in their fresh, dried or frozen state. Based on colour, shape, and other criteria input by the user, products that pass through the sorter are identified and classified, while foreign objects are discarded, on the high speed belt.

 

Since the Focus sorting machine is modular, the user can freely position the cameras, the lights and other technology needed for best results. The machine comes in four models with a scan width of 600, 1200, 1800 or 2400mm. 

 

The Focus also integrates in any production line, but for those who require the full sorting section, the in- and outfeed vibrators can be requested, along with other options.

 

Concept Engineers, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, also offers other optical sorters with similar capabilities. The Triplus® optical sorter can classify products with various optical deficiencies, and is available in three models with a scan width of 800, 1200 or 1800mm.

 

The Nexus® optical sorter can also perform the same functions for confectionery, in addition to fruit and vegetable, and it comes in two models with scan widths of 1000 or 1200 mm.