Optical sorting
Encyclopedia
Optical Sorting is a process of visually sorting a product though the use of Photodetector
(light sensors), Camera
, or the Human eye
.
In its simplest operation, a machine will simply see how much light is reflected off the object using a simple Photodetector
(such as a Photoresistor
) and accept or reject the item depending on how reflective it is (light or dark).
More sophisticated systems use Image processing
to discriminate the colors of the object, often via a controlled spectra
of light, even beyond the visible spectrum into the IR and UV range. Shape detection is an evolving ability.
The common method of removal is jets of compressed air, but others exist.
The term "Optical sorting" also includes manual seeing and manipulating processes.
Odenberg Engineering, Visys, Satake Corporation
, Best, Concept Engineers and Buhler Sortex are some companies that build Optical Sorting machines for the food sector to ensure consistent quality & safety.
Photodetector
Photosensors or photodetectors are sensors of light or other electromagnetic energy. There are several varieties:*Active pixel sensors are image sensors consisting of an integrated circuit that contains an array of pixel sensors, each pixel containing a both a light sensor and an active amplifier...
(light sensors), Camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
, or the Human eye
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
.
In its simplest operation, a machine will simply see how much light is reflected off the object using a simple Photodetector
Photodetector
Photosensors or photodetectors are sensors of light or other electromagnetic energy. There are several varieties:*Active pixel sensors are image sensors consisting of an integrated circuit that contains an array of pixel sensors, each pixel containing a both a light sensor and an active amplifier...
(such as a Photoresistor
Photoresistor
A photoresistor or light dependent resistor is a resistor whose resistance decreases with increasing incident light intensity. It can also be referred to as a photoconductor or CdS device, from "cadmium sulfide," which is the material from which the device is made and that actually exhibits the...
) and accept or reject the item depending on how reflective it is (light or dark).
More sophisticated systems use Image processing
Image processing
In electrical engineering and computer science, image processing is any form of signal processing for which the input is an image, such as a photograph or video frame; the output of image processing may be either an image or, a set of characteristics or parameters related to the image...
to discriminate the colors of the object, often via a controlled spectra
Spectrum
A spectrum is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary infinitely within a continuum. The word saw its first scientific use within the field of optics to describe the rainbow of colors in visible light when separated using a prism; it has since been applied by...
of light, even beyond the visible spectrum into the IR and UV range. Shape detection is an evolving ability.
The common method of removal is jets of compressed air, but others exist.
The term "Optical sorting" also includes manual seeing and manipulating processes.
Odenberg Engineering, Visys, Satake Corporation
Satake Corporation
based in Hiroshima, Japan, is a multinational company mainly focused in equipment for the processing and sorting of agricultural products such as rice, grains and beans. The corporation was founded in Japan by Riichi Satake in 1896...
, Best, Concept Engineers and Buhler Sortex are some companies that build Optical Sorting machines for the food sector to ensure consistent quality & safety.