MAF Roda introduced a new pear sorting line during the Fruit Logistica. The line has now been installed for Van Haelst Fruit in Verrebroek, Belgium. “With this new sorting line, which we use to sort both internal and external quality, we are guaranteed to look at 100% of the pear. No one else can guarantee that,” says Michel Koppert, responsible for sales of MAF Roda in the Benelux countries.
The sorting line has three tracks and a capacity of about six tonnes of pears per hour. Despite the speed, more than 250 analyses are made per pear. “We scan the pear across its entire length and then the pear is turned. Thanks to these two images, we have the pear completely in 3D, and we can see all of its defects. That can’t be guaranteed with a cup machine, for instance,” Michel continues.
According to Michel, the error margin of sorting is less than two per cent. Thanks to HD and infrared cameras, internal defects can easily be sorted out. “An additional advantage is that these machines only have to be set up once. The machine was designed specifically for pears, but a grower who has both apples and pears can use the machine for both. We see options for other product applications, but because the machine has only been on the market a short time, we haven’t looked at other applications yet.”
For more information:
Michel Koppert
Freshtech Solutions / MAF Roda Nederland
Honderdland 380
2676 LV Maasdijk, the Netherlands
info@freshtech.nl