Potato Sorting Machine
A professional potato sorting machine is a must for food processing companies that process potatoes. A professional potato grading machine checks, sorts and guarantees the quality of your product. Quality control is of course a hugely important link within any potato processing line. At Marcelissen we offer the right potato sorting equipment for you.
Optical Potato Sorter
At Marcelissen we have two different optical potato sorting machines: a pneumatic and a mechanical variant.
Image 1: Optical Sorter Pneumatic – SOL
The two Optical Sorting Machines are very similar in operation. The difference lies mainly in the method of sorting, after the potatoes have been scanned and classified. With the Optical Sorter Pneumatic, the potatoes are sorted pneumatically (by means of blower nozzles), whereas with the Optical Sorter Mechanical the potatoes are sorted by means of flippers/sliders.
Both optical potato graders are specially developed for optical reading of (un)peeled potatoes on defects, color, size, shape and waste. The machines consists of a dosing unit, a roller conveyor, a camera unit and an ejection zone with multiple exits.
Image 2: Optical Sorter Mechanical – SOM
Operation of the Optical Potato Sorters
The potato grading machines work as follows:
1. Input
The potatoes arrive in bulk on the infeed shaker where they are transported forward by v-lanes. The speed of the v-belts ensures that the potatoes are properly sorted out, so that the cups of the roller conveyor are optimally filled.
2. Inspection
Next, the potatoes are fully optically inspected in the camera area. The roller conveyor provides a 400 degree rotation of potatoes under the cameras. The hygienic design and positioning of the cameras in the machine allows 100% inspection of the product while preventing lens contamination in the camera zone.
3. Classification
After the cameras have fully read the potatoes, they are classified by software based on characteristics such as; color, shape, size (length, diameter), estimated weight, defects and waste.
4. Grading
After the software has classified each potato, they enter the ejection zone. Here, each potato is graded pneumatically (by blower nozzles) or mechanically (by flippers/sliders) into the corresponding exit (exit). These exits are preset based on the previously obtained information, consisting of characteristics like quality and specific characteristics.
Fully customizable
The quantity and arrangement of exits is not fixed but completely customizable depending on the customer’s requirements. The classification of each exit can be easily changed in seconds.
Cleaning
As far as cleaning the rollers is concerned, the optical potato sorter is equipped with a spraying system on the return conveyor, which continuously sprays the rollers. With this spraying system it is possible to spray from both above and below for optimal cleaning.
Capacity
The maximum capacity of this potato grading machine 108,000 potatoes per hour, based on 15 cups/sec. and a filling degree of 100%. At a filling rate of 80% and an average weight of 100 grams/piece, the capacity is about 8640 kg/hour. At an average weight of 35 grams/piece, the capacity is 3024 kg/hour.
Demonstration Videos
Watch the videos below for a demonstration of both Optical Sorters. The video below shows the Optical Sorter Pneumatic with blowing nozzles:
This video below shows a demonstration of the Optical Sorter Mechanical with sliders:
Short Piece Sorter – SV: potato sorting machine
Besides the sorting of whole potatoes by means of an Optical Sorter, of course also the smaller pieces have to be sorted from the product flow. the Short Piece Sorter (or Nubbin Grader) is the ideal solution for companies who are looking for a more straightforward potato sorting machine.
Image 3: Short Piece Sorter – SV
This model is perfect for sorting out unusable, small pieces of potato that do not form the end product for the customer. This machine can also be used for dosing of the products. In addition, a combination of both processes can be achieved. The capacity is 8,000 kg/hour. In the video below you can see a demonstration of this machine from Marcelissen:
Potato Diameter Sorter – SRL
Image 4: Potato Diameter Sorter – SRL
Larger than the Short Piece Sorter, is the Potato Diameter Sorter. With this grader, potatoes (and other tuber vegetables such as beets) can be sorted on diameter. The rollers are placed in a V-profile and the unique composition of the potato grading machine ensures that the rollers can be infinitely adjusted at the bottom.
Since this machine is placed at a slight angle in combination with the driven rollers, the actual sorting will take place. Even though the sorting sizes have to be predetermined, the sorting opening can be slightly adjusted, so that some flexibility in diameter sorting is possible. Based on the number of plastic rollers (two or more) the capacity can be estimated, which can vary up to 20,000 kg/hour. The Potato Diameter Sorter can act as a link within a potato processing line, although this is not necessary and the machine is often used ‘stand-alone’.
Sliver Remover (roller sorter)
Image 5: Sliver Remover SR2
After cutting fresh fries, cubes or slices, there are inevitably short and thin pieces in the product stream. After all, potatoes are not squared or rectangular. In order to realise a high quality end product, these short and narrow pieces have to be sorted out, we do this by means of our Sliver Removers.
This machine is specially constructed to separate too small product particles and/or waste from sliced and whole products. The main advantage of this sorter is that the roll opening during the production process can be easily, quickly and precisely adjusted from 3 to 23 mm or 4 to 24 mm.
The new generation Sliver Removers are very easy to maintain, the rollers can be adjusted during the production process and no water is needed for cooling and lubricating the bearings. When processing potato products, there is always the possibility to add a spray tube with which the released starch can be rinsed away.
All rollers have the same rotation direction and are equipped with spirals. This creates a good product distribution, which is very important in achieving a good sorting quality. The product to be sorted moves across the rollers with the direction of rotation of the rollers, whereby breakage is excluded.
The waste can be disposed of underneath the machine. A spray tube is mounted above the rollers for the removal of any sticking parts.
The roll opening of Sliver Removers can be adjusted up to a maximum opening of 20 mm between the rollers. Furthermore, nowadays we have a split-sizer where on one machine two halves can be adjusted separately, this gives 3 sorting possibilities.
The plastic rollers are available in cream and blue and always come with an FDA certificate. Optionally, the Sliver Removers can also be equipped with stainless steel rollers.
Capacity: up to 20.000 Kg/hour
Watch a video demonstration of Roller Sorter / Sliver Remover below:
Interested? Please contact us!
At Marcelissen you are at the right place for professional potato sorting equipment. We have various possibilities in terms of potato sorting machines. They all differ from each other in terms of functions. For example, the Optical Sorter sorts the potatoes itself, distinguishing between the quality, purpose and sizes of the potatoes. It therefore functions as a potato grader machine.
The Short Piece Sorter, on the other hand, separates the potatoes from small pieces of product or skin that should not be further processed. We also have some used potato sorters that might be interesting for you (for a reduced price ofcourse). You can also take a look at our complete list of occassions.
For more information about our optical sorting machines or advice on a suitable solution for your situation, please leave your contact details by filling in the contact form. We will contact you as soon as possible.
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