Flikweert Vision has further developed its QualityGrader optical sorting system, introducing a new generation designed to provide greater capacity, flexibility and serviceability for potato and onion grading operations.

The updated QualityGrader builds on experience accumulated from hundreds of machines installed at growers, packers and processors worldwide, according to the Netherlands-based manufacturer.

The system uses industrial RGB cameras and artificial intelligence to assess potatoes from multiple angles and separate products according to predefined quality tolerances. For potatoes, detectable characteristics include wireworm damage, scab, mechanical damage, misshapen tubers, growth cracks, greening, Rhizoctonia, rot and the presence of stones and clods.

The platform is available in two widths and can handle product flows of up to 30 tonnes per hour. Depending on its configuration, the QualityGrader uses six or nine cameras.

An optional second ejection unit enables operators to create an additional product stream, allowing potatoes to be separated into different quality categories rather than simply accepted or rejected.

Flikweert Vision has also revised the machine’s software platform and remote service capabilities, while making technical changes intended to improve reliability, accessibility and scalability.

The company said the development is based on operating experience gathered from existing installations rather than a complete redesign of the original sorting concept.

The first series of upgraded machines left Flikweert Vision’s production facility earlier this year. Six units from the initial batch were supplied to a single customer for installation in an onion sorting line.

For potato operations, the system is designed to reduce reliance on manual quality inspection while providing more consistent grading decisions. Operators can adjust tolerances for individual defects through Flikweert Vision’s VisionCommand interface, allowing sorting specifications to be adapted to different customers or end uses.

The latest development forms part of Flikweert Vision’s continued expansion of automated optical sorting technology for the potato and onion sectors.