Question 1

What performance metrics should I use to evaluate a colour sorter?

Accepted Answer

The key performance metrics for a colour sorter are: efficiency (the percentage of defective product in the feed that is correctly ejected into the reject stream — sometimes called detection rate or sort efficiency); carryover (the percentage of defective product that passes through and remains in the accepted product stream — the lower the carryover, the better the sorter performance); good product in reject (the percentage of good, acceptable product that is incorrectly ejected into the reject stream — high good-product loss in reject increases raw material waste; the sorter sensitivity settings trade off between carryover and good-product loss); and throughput (the mass of product processed per hour at the specified efficiency). When evaluating a colour sorter, request a demonstration with your specific product and defect profile — do not rely on claimed detection rates for generic products, as performance varies significantly with product and defect type.

Question 2

What product preparation is needed before colour sorting?

Accepted Answer

Colour sorter performance depends on the product being presented to the sorting zone in a consistent, separated stream. Key preparation steps: cleaning (removing dust, fines, and loose debris before the sorter — fine dust adheres to the camera lenses and sensors, reducing detection accuracy; it also fouls the air jets); sizing (grading out oversize and undersize before the sorter — a consistent product size gives better image detection and allows the air jet timing to be optimised); moisture (very wet or humid product surfaces cause sticking and poor material flow through the sorter — the product should be at its normal dry or dried moisture level before sorting); and pre-separation of very different product types if multiple products are being sorted on the same machine (ensure each product type is sorted under its own optimised parameters). Cleaning and maintenance of the sorter cameras and air jets should be carried out at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer.

Colour Sorter Machine Manufacturers

Colour sorter machines — how they work and food applications

Colour Sorter Machine Manufacturers

Colour sorter machines — how they work and food applications

Frequently asked questions

What performance metrics should I use to evaluate a colour sorter?

What product preparation is needed before colour sorting?

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