Optical Sorting Machine for Fresh Vegetables and Diced Fruit with Dual-Belt Inspection
When sorting fresh and cut vegetables or fruit, defects can appear on multiple sides of the product. Optical sorting systems with dual-belt and in-flight inspection allow full surface analysis, improving detection accuracy and product quality.
Inspect both sides of the product with dual-belt and in-flight vision systems
The Duett optical sorter from Protec is designed for sorting fresh vegetables, leafy products, and diced or sliced fruit, using a two-stage conveyor system combined with advanced optical inspection.
Product first passes over a horizontal belt, followed by an inclined belt, where it is lifted and separated. As the product leaves the second belt, it is inspected in-flight, allowing the vision system to analyze both sides of each item.
High-resolution cameras, supported by powerful lighting systems (including optional backlighting and infrared/NIR), detect defects such as:
- Rot spots and discoloration
- Foreign bodies and insects
- Peels, pits, and stones
- Surface damage or burn marks
Once defects are identified, they are removed using a compressed air jet rejection system, ensuring continuous product flow.
The system is highly flexible and can be configured for a wide range of products, including olives, apples, pears, potatoes, carrots, leafy greens, beans, and peas, both fresh and processed.
Available in configurations with belt widths of ~1,050 mm and ~1,500 mm, the machine handles capacities from approximately 3 to 15 tons per hour, depending on product type and sorting requirements.
A touchscreen HMI with integrated control software allows quick adjustment of sorting parameters, making it easy to switch between products. The system also supports remote diagnostics and LAN connectivity, enabling integration into larger processing lines.
Benefits
- — Dual-belt system enables full product inspection on both sides
- — Optional NIR and backlighting for enhanced defect detection
- — Flexible setup for a wide range of fresh and processed products
- — In-flight analysis improves detection accuracy for irregular products
- — Capacity up to ~15 t/h depending on configuration