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Optical sorters automatically sort objects based on visual criteria. They are used in food manufacturing to find faults and separate different types of items. Optical sorters can detect defects and remove incorrectly sized parts, and keep different types of items separate. They use light sensors, infrared light, and digital cameras to classify items based on color, light absorption, and shape.
An optical sorter is a device that automatically sorts objects based on visual criteria. Also known as sorters, optical sorters are often found in food manufacturing and processing plants. They are used to find faults and separate different types of items. There are different types of sorters including some that use light sensors while others use infrared light.
One of the primary uses of an optical sorter is to find imperfections in products and remove unsatisfactory items from the manufacturing process. These defects may be superficial or indicate that a product is defective or unsafe. In a factory that produces an item of a specific size, for example, a defect or size variation with one of the products could cause significant problems. An optical sorter can detect the defect and remove the incorrectly sized part before it is released from the factory.
In addition to controlling the quality of manufactured products, optical sorters are also used to keep different types of items separate. This capability is especially important for food processing applications. In facilities where consumer products are packaged, optical sorters are able to identify and prevent accidental processing of foreign objects. This helps keep packaged food pure and prevents dangerous and inedible items from being introduced into the food supply.
There are different types of optical sorters. The simplest design uses a simple light sensor, called a photodetector. These are able to sense the amount of light reflected from an object. Because dark objects absorb light, an optical sorter with a photodetector can classify objects based on color contrast.
Optical sorters are not limited to the capabilities of the human eye. Some sorting machines use infrared light sensors to sort objects with optical differences that are imperceptible to human workers. These machines project infrared light onto objects and detect the level of reflection of this invisible light. Other optical sorters combine laser beams with highly sensitive detectors to detect very small variations or cracks in a product too small for the human eye to see.
In addition to classifying items based on color and light absorption, some optical sorters are also able to distinguish the shape of an item. These advanced versions use digital cameras to capture high-resolution optical data, which is loaded into a computer. Using image processing software, the computer can identify the lines on the image and determine their general shape. This advanced type of optical technology is very useful for sorting items made of the same material but with different contours.
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