Optical sorting: efficient, smart and cost-effective

Optical sorting of (seed) potatoes is becoming increasingly popular among arable farmers and packaging companies due to the advantages in terms of efficiency, sorting quality and costs.

Innovative systems such as the Optica CS and Q from Tolsma-Grisnich have only increased the enthusiasm of growers. These machines combine advanced image technology with user-friendly software, allowing companies to make great strides forward. In this article we discuss the most important advantages of optical sorting: capacity, sorting quality and labor savings.

Sorting capacity
Optical sorting helps arable farmers to save considerably on labor and maintenance costs. By using the Optics Q the need for external employees to sort potatoes has almost disappeared. Where companies used to work with external workers on the inspection belt, one man can now control the entire sorting process.

Antoine Eising, arable farmer in Lelystad, confirms this change. "I used to need multiple people on the conveyor belt, but thanks to the Optica Q, that is a thing of the past. External employees for sorting have been unnecessary so far. We sort around 5.000 tons of potatoes per year, and the investments in optical sorting machines have not only made this more efficient, but also cheaper."

The size sorting and quality sorting are done by two different machines. The Optica CS is the electronic size sorter where the Optica Q reads for quality. This separation is useful because the size sorting and quality sorting do not always take place at the same time during the season. In this way, a batch does not always have to go through both machines if it needs to be read again. A Optics Q be used in combination with, for example, a traditional shaking sorting machine, which combines the advantage of high sorting capacity and accurate optical reading.

Improved reading quality
Another great advantage of optical sorting is the high and uniform reading quality. The Optics Q uses advanced imaging techniques and AI models to analyze potatoes at pixel level. Each potato is photographed from five different angles, after which defects such as rhizoctonia, scab, damage and clods are detected.

Eising emphasizes the importance of this accuracy: "The machine recognizes different defects and sorts potatoes into three categories: clods, feed and good product. This allows us to guarantee a constant product quality." This approach ensures that there is hardly any more work in the inspection room. "One person still checks the sorting work, that is sufficient. We can now deliver constant sorting work all day long."

An additional advantage is the flexibility of the system. The settings can be easily adjusted to the specific requirements of different varieties or batches. The setting assistant, a unique tool of the Optics Q, for example, provides insight into the last two thousand photos of abnormal potatoes. This enables users to quickly and independently adjust the sensitivity of the system. If there are situations where the system needs to learn, this can be done based on the photos taken of your own company. This process is called deep learning and with that the machine becomes increasingly smarter.

Labor saving
One of the most immediate benefits of optical sorting is the huge labor savings. Traditional sorting techniques often require multiple people to perform both the sorting itself and the reading. With a Optics Q one person is sufficient to monitor the sorting work.

This was a decisive factor for Eising when purchasing the Optica Q. "Finding good staff is becoming increasingly difficult, especially in the winter. Thanks to the Optica Q, sorting is now less labour-intensive." The Optica Q can save up to three people in the reading room. Even when a batch of 28/35 with many clods has to be read, you can sort it with a capacity of up to 10 tonnes per hour.

Conclusion
Optical sorting of seed potatoes offers significant advantages in terms of cost savings, quality improvement and labor savings. Innovative systems such as the Optica CS and Q use advanced technologies that not only increase efficiency but also guarantee a uniform product quality.

For arable farmers who sort large quantities of potatoes, this is a valuable investment. As Eising points out: "If you sort enough tons, optical sorting is the future. It increases your capacity and you need fewer people."

Although the initial investment can be significant, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Companies not only save on labor, but also on time and energy. Furthermore, the technology offers opportunities for quality improvement and further innovation and expansion, for example in sorting other crops such as onions.