Marcelissen's optical sorting machine raises the bar

"Our new machine has operated at the farm for three weeks,"� explains Guus Treuen. "When the owner Mr. Borgmann came to us, we sat down and talked about his ideas and wishes for his optical sorting machine. We implemented those ideas and proposed a future-proof machine with a complete range of options."

The machine is built out of durable material and reliable parts, and has been working very satisfactory so far states Treuen. "The customer is very satisfied, and we are too. But we are still keen to further optimize the processing and sorting process."

"The potatoes are peeled and are fed on a belt in the machine," explains Guus Treuen, "on this belt the potatoes are organized in a single layer and one by one they are positioned on the rollers. The potatoes are positioned at set distances and then transported through the optical grader. Four cameras check and scan the potatoes from all sides. The two full colour and two black and white cameras are mounted at a certain angle. Underneath these cameras the potatoes turned and are sorted according to certain parameters such as size and spots." 

The sorting process is the special feature of the optical sorting machine explains Guus Treuen. "The machine does not just select between good and bad potatoes but it offers several different sorting variations." The machine can be expanded with extra modules. "The produce can be sorted in four or more different ejection lines according to different parameters." The precise sorting of the machine saves on costs. There is less personnel required at the sorting belt. "The final sorting is done by hand, but fewer co-workers are needed now."� With the new machine Eugen Borgmann could reduce his sorting team of six bodies to one.

Guus Treuen believes in the success of his machine: "This new optical sorting machine gives us the possibility to position us in a completely new way on the market. With the wide range of different sorting possibilities that our machines offer we can distinguish ourselves from the competition. We can convince customers that they have more options than just sorting good and bad potatoes. A real plus is the sorting in size." Because extra machines aren't necessary anymore. "The purchase of our sorting machine makes other mechanical sorting machines redundant."