QualityGrader No. 200 produced
QualityGrader No. 200 produced
6000 hours run with the QualityGraders at Aardappelhandel Meijer
6000 hours run with the QualityGraders at Aardappelhandel Meijer
We have produced the 200th QualityGrader, as a team we are proud of reaching this milestone. Just three years after the launch of the first QualityGrader, we look back on a period of growth and innovation.
The power of the QualityGrader
Initially, the QualityGrader was only used in unwashed potatoes, but this soon changed after its introduction for onions and washed potatoes. Thanks to its compact design, the machine can be easily integrated into any sorting line. Also through fine cooperation with various system integrators, we were repeatedly able to realise our customers' specific requirements. Meanwhile, the further development of the machine continued.
Last summer, we introduced the upgrade option for the QualityGraders. Thanks to the camera upgrade, the machines are equipped with six cameras instead of three, so the product is always imaged from at least two camera angles. This results in a significant improvement, especially in the detection of small defects. The computing power upgrade enables a capacity of up to 20 tonnes per hour while ensuring that the computers can handle the extra data from the camera upgrade. These developments have led to a sharp increase in sales, both within the Netherlands and far beyond.
Albert Elligsen
The 200th QualityGrader goes to Albert Elligsen GmbH, the German packaging company decided to invest in four QualityGraders this summer. This family-run company is an established name in the packaging industry of washed potatoes and onions, supplying mainly supermarkets in Germany. Elligsen was looking for proven technology that can accurately separate various defects from good produce, to meet their customers' quality requirements. In addition, the company was increasingly struggling to find sufficient labour during busy periods, which made the choice of the QualityGrader extra attractive.
Thijs van der Torren, who represents Flikweert Vision in Germany, supported during the purchase process of the QualityGraders. “The client did extensive market research on different sorting machines, and travelled to the Netherlands several times to see the QualityGraders in action, among other things.” The machine had to have a minimum drop height and be practical for both potatoes and onions. In the end, Elligsen opted for the QualityGrader. To ensure Elligsen's processing capacity, four machines will be placed side by side.
The project will be integrated into an existing line of DT Dijkstra, a party we have enjoyed working with on several occasions. In close consultation, we designed the new sorting line to realise smart solutions that benefit the customer. Thanks to this set-up, Elligsen will soon be able to keep the entire line running 24/7 with a smaller team, while maintaining high accuracy.
The future of the QualityGrader
Several deliveries to Germany, England and France are planned for the autumn. “We can make excellent use of the new data from other areas to further develop the software. A larger database helps the machine recognise defects better and faster,” Thijs concludes. We continue to work hard towards our goal of fully automating quality grading of potatoes and onions worldwide.