TOMRA demonstrates Field Potato Sorter at Fruit Logistica

TOMRA Sorting Solutions will demonstrate two of its market-leading sensor-based systems at this year’s Fruit Logistica, the leading fair for the international fresh produce trade.

The company will showcase its Field Potato Sorter (FPS) and Genius optical belt sorter at the event, taking place at the Messe Berlin Fair Grounds, from 5 to 7 February. The TOMRA systems will be operating at booth C-15 in hall 4.1.

TOMRA’s FPS is the industry’s first successful high throughput optical sorting solution for unwashed potatoes. It enables growers, processors and packer companies to lower labour and potato storage costs significantly while raising product quality and yield.

Utilizing unique, patent-pending, biometric signature identification (BSI) technology, the FPS provides a multi-spectral representation of the visible and near infrared spectral zones, which allows it to analyse and identify organic characteristics and compositions of all objects. It can therefore distinguish dirt clods, stones, other foreign material and rot from potatoes, even those with substantial soil covering.

The machine can be used for the sort of different varieties and sizes of unwashed potatoes. Processors can use measurements the FPS makes and records, with predictive analysis, to optimize procedures within their operations.

Jim Frost, Market Unit Manager, TOMRA Sorting Food, said: “The FPS is replacing hard-to-find manpower needed to clean the product stream going into and out of potato storage. The robust, waterproof and user-friendly machine is compact and available in various widths to fit all specific capacities up to 70,000 kilos an hour. The sorting machine is compatible with other potato grading equipment, but can also be used on its own to sort harvested potatoes, before or after storage.”

The modular and upgradeable Genius system uses a combination of sorting technologies to satisfy the food industry’s demanding requirements, including those of individual processors. It ensures safe and excellent quality output by removing items with unwanted discolorations and foreign material, for example.

Offering high capacity and low maintenance, plus long-life accuracy, the flexible Genius comes with gentle handing assured. The user-friendly system offers quality control and feedback through an intuitive touch screen and provides extremely fast payback on investment.

Steve Raskin, Sales Director, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “The Genius can be tailored to each customer’s unique requirements and needs. Using high-resolution cameras and lasers, it deploys varying technologies in different inspection zones to achieve an unequalled sorting performance.

“After the food is scanned in the different inspection zones, state-of-the-art air guns reject defective produce within milliseconds, in two or three separate streams, with good products proceeding on their way.”

Genius applications in the vegetable field include carrots, corn, beans, broccoli, garlic, green beans, mixed vegetables, peas and peppers. For fresh cut produce they include iceberg and lamb’s lettuce, rocket lettuce and spinach. Potato applications include French fries, cubes, slices and dices, while the system handles fruits such as cranberries and diced pineapples. Where nuts are concerned, it can work with almonds, cashews, macadamias and peanuts in shells, among other types.

TOMRA Sorting Solutions creates sensor-based technologies for sorting, peeling and process analytics and unites four strong brands under one roof: TITECH for recycling, TOMRA Sorting Mining for mining, ODENBERG for food and BEST for food and specialty products. This powerful alliance makes the company one of the most advanced providers of sensor-based sorting solutions worldwide.

The organization provides many benefits and synergies, including 15 test and demo centers worldwide, access to a vast array of technologies and a large research and development department. TOMRA Sorting Solutions’ global reach also allows it to deliver an enhanced service offering, with a shared service network ensuring the company is always close to its customers. For more information visit www.tomra.com/food