See a New Vision in Optical Sorting at Interpom:  Herbert Launches Oculus 

Herbert Engineering has launched Oculus, the next generation in optical sorting for washed and peeled potatoes. See for yourself this new vision in optical sorting on the Herbert stand, no 1100 at this year’s Interpom.

With its streamlined appearance and huge range of benefits the new Oculus demonstrates how Herbert has invested in design and innovation to ensure the Oculus is right for the customer.
Oculus, which is available in two models, 1300mm and 2000mm infeed widths, has been designed for both fresh-pack and process applications.

The system has been designed wholly around the needs of their customers and incorporates key new features that have been developed specifically after consultation with industry experts.

• The latest optical sorter on the market
• Designed for growers, packers and processors
• 360º rotation for improved vision
• Infrared as standard for improved performance

(Click to enlarge)

Herbert Engineering has launched Oculus, the next generation in optical sorting for washed and peeled potatoes

More efficient and more accurate sorting, better detection of greens through the use of infrared cameras, easier maintenance and more efficient hygiene control are all benefits of the Oculus system. This new technology will enable packers and processors to achieve a better and more consistent quality of product, identify rejects more effectively and minimise production downtime.

Herbert’s marketing director, Jo Herbert, says: “This is one of the most technically advanced optical sorters on the market today and includes a number of unique features. Its development is an exciting advance in optical sorting and will enable far more accurate sorting, with better quality throughput, increased detection of reject produce and better food safety. Oculus has been exceptionally well engineered and by simplifying the design to make the machine more efficient, Herbert can offer a more competitive sorting solution.”

At the heart of Oculus is the 360º camera vision and lighting system. 360º vision allows easy and effective inspection of the whole of the tuber while infrared cameras enable improved performance and in particular better identification of greens. The latest digital colour cameras deliver market-leading resolution of up to 0.25mm sq pixel size, giving exceptional accuracy of defect identification. LED lighting is now also standard and gives a stable background light.
Oculus has been designed to perform in hygiene critical processing environments: its stainless steel construction is easily cleaned, it is fully welded eliminating bug traps and the lighting and camera unit is also sealed to enable safe pressure washing.Its exo-skeleton design means there are 30% fewer parts, which reduces maintenance and potential downtime, as well as saving cost.

Jo Herbert adds: “Growers, packers and processors will see a huge range of improvement in Oculus. The new finger bank selection is capable of sorting up to three grades / sizes. With a 25% smaller footprint, it takes up less space, we have reduced energy usage by a third without compromising on performance, it is easier to set up and the highly intuitive software has been vastly simplified to make it easier to operate and achieve a higher accuracy of sorting. We have taken all of the features from the Auto-sort and enhanced them to perform according to the customers needs. We are delighted with this new product.”

With Oculus, Herbert is building on their expertise in the development of the highly successful Auto-sort defect detection system, which is in use in the UK, Europe and across the world.