Research shows major differences between onion sorters

Sorting onions is a field unto itself. Sorting based on colour, size, and weight is not the greatest challenge. The real degree of difficulty is in determining the internal quality of the onion. That is practically impossible to do by touch and sight alone. Using software, however, the internal quality of onions can be accurately determined. A number of onion sorters have carried out a large number of tests to determine what results can be achieved using various sorting machines and therefore with various types of software.

The onion sorters began a selection process for the purchase of a new sorting machine. However they did not want to be swayed by stories from the suppliers themselves. They wanted a more objective picture. For that reason the onion sorters had thousands of onions sorted by various manufacturers. The same batch of onions was used in each case, so that reliable comparison could be made of the results.

The results of the study* were striking. The Elisam sorting machine, which was equipped with the sorting software from Ellips, achieved clearly better results when sorting red onions. When sorting yellow onions, the results of the Elisam machine were also better. The machines stamped a comparable percentage of onions as ‘good’. The Elisam sorting machine, however, rated half fewer onions as ‘poor’. Based on the follow-up inspection, in which the ‘poor’ onions were cut open, it appeared that the competing machines had designated too many onions as ‘poor’ (and therefore unsellable).

When it also became clear that the Elisam system did not require weekly calibration for each track separately – and all of the additional work for the operator with the necessary sorting risks that come along with it – the choice for the onion sorters was simple. The purchase of the Elisam sorting machine in combination with the Ellips software was made. The onion sorters concluded that the true added value of a sorting machine was in the software itself. Both Elisam and Ellips remain close to their core competence. Elisam brings high-quality sorting machines to the market and Ellips focuses entirely on developing sorting software. The competing machine builder lacks this focus and that shortcoming is felt.

For more information:
Judith Steinmeier
Ellips
Tel: +31 (0) 40-245 6540
Email: judith.steinmeier@ellips.com

* Please send an e-mail to Judith Steinmeier for more information regarding the research results