Two new systems are being launched by optical sorting technology manufacturer Bühler, which will help frozen fruit and vegetable processors to achieve optimal standards in food safety and hygiene.
Sortex PolarVision, its new advanced foreign material detection technology, will make it easier for processors to meet stringent safety specifications, while the Sortex F optical sorter features multiple developments for hygienic processing.
The Sortex PolarVision technology platform is a foreign material detection system delivering outstanding results with a wide array of frozen produce. From single products, such as peas or raspberries, to more complex vegetable mixes that may contain seafood and spices, it operates from one simple set-up with a substantial sorting improvement on difficult-to-detect defects.
It works by combining two dedicated foreign material detection technologies – the Sortex PolarCam and high-definition InGaAsHD – both developed in response to industry demand for cutting-edge technology to tackle difficult-to-detect defects, including dark and light plastics, wood, cardboard, cigarette ends, glass and stones.
Sortex PolarCam is an advanced foreign material camera that has been designed to see the difference between vegetable and non-vegetable matter, regardless of its colour. It is therefore possible to process different products or mixes, with little or no change to settings, and still detect non-vegetable material even when they’re dark in colour, Bühler said.
The high-definition InGaAsHD technology has double the resolution of standard InGaAs and can recognise smaller pieces of hazardous material, half the size previously detectable.
Bühler R&D specialist Ben Deefholts said: “Fruit and vegetable processors often run many different products down a packing line in one day, so they need to be able to switch easily between them. This means they normally need generic foreign materials removal, with additional specific programmes for colour defects or extraneous vegetable matter based on shape. The Sortex E and Sortex F with PolarVision makes adjustment of the sorter much more intuitive and will better suit the busy life of the packing line.”
Source: foodbev.com
