The Bühler Group, a leading provider of optical sorters, announced two significant industry innovations to help frozen fruit and vegetable processors meet food safety and hygiene standards. 

SORTEX PolarVision, the new advanced FM detection technology, will make it easier for processors to meet the most stringent safety specifications demanded of them, while Bühler’s SORTEX F optical sorter features multiple developments in hygienic processing.   

Targeting Difficult-to-detect FM

The SORTEX PolarVision technology platform is a sophisticated FM detection system, which delivers outstanding results in a wide array of frozen produce. From single products to more complex vegetable mixes, which may contain seafood and spices, it operates from a simple set-up, with a substantial sorting improvement in relation to difficult-to-detect defects. It works by combining two dedicated FM detection technologies – the SORTEX PolarCam and high definition InGaAsHD – both of which were developed in response to industry demand for cutting-edge technology to tackle difficult-to-detect defects, including snails, dark and light plastics, wood, cardboard, cigarette ends, glass and stones.

The SORTEX PolarCam is an advanced FM camera that has been designed to see the difference between vegetable and non-vegetable matter, regardless of its color. It is, therefore, possible to process different products or mixes, with little or no change to settings, and still detect non-vegetable matter, such as dark FM, black plastic, stones, snails and insects. High-definition InGaAsHD technology, which offers double the resolution of standard InGaAs, and can recognize smaller pieces of hazardous matter, up to half the size previously detectable.

These combined technologies offer a complete FM solution, which reduces the need for adjustment between products given that visible cameras are not required. Dedicated FM controls improve the usability of the system, making life easier for the operator.

The launch comes at a key time when safety is high on the industry agenda. Processors face a constant challenge to detect and remove FM, as well as keep pace with a food industry, which is continuously innovating in order to create often complex, value-added products that must adhere to rigorous safety standards.

Bühler’s existing technologies already offer cutting-edge solutions within the processing industry, such as its unrivalled PROfile shape system for the removal of extraneous vegetable matter (EVM) and its in-house, custom-built visible cameras for detecting gross and subtle color defects in order to enhance product quality and uniformity. SORTEX PolarVision now takes optical sorting to the next level.

All-New SORTEX F – a dedicated optical sorter based on hygienic design principles. To maximize the full potential of the SORTEX PolarVision, Bühler has developed a dedicated sorting platform – the SORTEX F optical sorter. Developed by in-house specialists, using current best practice and hygienic product design guidelines, it features a stainless steel frame, sloped surfaces, hygienic conduits, a stainless steel airset and hygienic grade fixings to deliver an unrivalled solution with no tolerance for product build-up, thereby lowering the risk of contamination.

The machine also sets a new standard in ejection technology with its EJECTOR+ feature, which uses 25% more force to eliminate denser contaminants. Together with SmartEject technology, the technology removes unwanted and hazardous matter, from fine wood shavings to heavier pieces of glass and stones. SORTEX PolarVision is available on the SORTEX F and as an upgrade option for processors that are currently operating Bühler’s SORTEX E1D optical sorter.

Bühler R&D specialist Ben Deefholts explains how the cutting-edge technology was developed: “Based on our understanding of the issues that processors were facing with existing technologies in detecting a cross-section of FM, we put together an in-house research project to analyze spectral data from a wide range of vegetable matter, typical FM and samples of other FM, which customers were finding difficult to detect using existing technology. We used the results of the research to create a combination of cameras and optics, including a revised InGaAsHD technology and a new IR camera with an active background. F&V processors often run many different products down a packing line in one day, so they need to be able to switch easily between them. This means they normally need generic FM removal, with additional specific programs for color defects or EVM based on shape. The SORTEX E and SORTEX F with PolarVision makes the adjustment of the sorter much more intuitive, which will better suit the busy life of the packing line.”

Stephen Jacobs, global product manager at Bühler, added: “We are very excited by the development of this new technology. We believe SORTEX PolarVision is the first – and only – system on the market that can deliver such superior FM detection across multiple products with complete ease. Combine this with the SORTEX F platform and you have a revolutionary solution, which addresses two of the biggest issues in the food industry today – safety and hygiene.”