Sorting
The latest generation of sorting systems can detect hard-to-find defects with high accuracy “We want to reach 100% detection so sorting can eventually be done with zero personnel,” says Roland Scheffer of Ellips, which focuses on optimizing sorting processes. He and his colleagues, Jody Bakker, Mitchel Bakker, and Adriaan Vet, say Ellips has recently taken the next step in that process. It introduced a new deep learning module, TrueAI, which is part of its new TrueSort 2 software platform..
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ith TrueAI, Ellips ensures you can or has been there for a while. Also, the find those ‘last-mile’ defects. “Exis- stalks always get in the way, casting shadTransparency was one of the starting points of Ellips when developing the software platform ting technology struggles to determine ows. You have to pinpoint the stalk area specific last-mile defects. Those can take with the camera for a few moments to see so many forms, making it extremely diffi- if there are any defects. That’s very hard cult to model and calculate all those com- to do. But our technology can do it. Opera- NEW GENERATION OF SORTING binations. Our new software can detect tors used to have to set all kinds of param- SYSTEMS those last-mile defects because we used eters. But because the defect can look so “This is the future. This technology will vast amounts of data, combined with ope- different, it was very tough for a human to become the new norm,” says Mitchel. This rators and quality inspectors’ expertise, accurately set those parameters,” Mitchel deep learning software is currently being to train it.” explains. used on apples and dates, and developments are underway for expansion to This development was no mean feat, SOFTWARE AND OPERATORS other products such as onions, cherries, admits Mitchel. “It was challenging to WORKING TOGETHER and blueberries. Ellips has also spent the optimize the system using large amounts Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the last few years preparing to use the TrueAI of data; the more the system has access sorting process improves reliability and module to expand its existing systems. to, the better it can detect specific defects. requires less staff. That, nonetheless, does We could do that because we have a vast not negate the operator’s role. “This per- OVERVIEW global customer base and have collected son controls the quality being sorted. The Along with the quality sorting improvedata across different seasons and condi- only difference is that now the system, ments, the software platform got a maketions. That allows us to take the accuracy not the operator, sets the parameters,” he over under the name, TrueSort 2. This new of detecting those hard-to-find defects to says. “You want the best of both worlds: platform lets users do things like add the the next level.” an operator who has knowledge of the sorting process’ data to their ERP system. product and the way in which parameters There are also new functionalities such as HARD TO FIND must be set, combined with our powerful dashboards that give operators, managers, An example of such a hard-to-find defect new toolkit,” adds Jody. For instance, she and customers quality information about is tiny cracks that products like apples points out, there may be times when the the products. “You can, for instance, see can develop around their stalks. “Those software has ‘doubts’ about a defect; the how many defective fruits there are per cracks can be all sorts of sizes and colours, operator would then make the final quali- batch,” says Jody. depending on whether it has just appeared ty assessment.
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AGF Primeur 4 • 2022
