Asparagus sorting machine
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The asparagus sorting machine is used during the asparagus season to sort the asparagus spears according to various characteristics, above all the diameter . At the same time as sorting, the machine usually also takes care of cleaning and cutting the asparagus to length.
Mainly, the asparagus are separated according to their average diameter, whereby areas with a difference of approx. 4 to 5 mm are merged. Diameters around 18 to 22 mm are the first choice, thinner sticks up to 8 to 10 mm soup asparagus form commercial class I and II. Sticks thicker than 22 mm are no longer considered optimal. Automatic sorting machines contain electronic controls on which the operator can configure the sorting areas for his own purposes or according to customer requirements .
technology
Asparagus sorting machines have either a treadmill or a chain with compartments or knobs, into which the harvesters insert the asparagus to be sorted individually. Then they are either optically measured by means of light barriers or photographed with an image processing camera and then taken to several separate shelves, where they are then manually placed in boxes.
Simple asparagus sorting machines often only have help displays that support the workers with manual sorting in order to increase throughput or reduce the error rate. Even treadmills without additional devices make manual sorting easier.
Semi-automatic sorting machines limit their sorting to evaluating the thickness of the asparagus and are most widespread in the asparagus industry.
Fully automated sorting systems also try to more or less evaluate the degree of curvature and discoloration. It applies z. B. to weed out those asparagus that have a purple or green asparagus tip from exposure to sunlight .
At least two to three workers are employed on a sorting machine, 10 to 15 people in larger companies. A fully automatic machine that does not require any staff at all is necessary because of the sensitivity of fresh asparagus, e.g. B. because of the fragility, and because of the necessary final inspection technically not possible.
use
Asparagus sorting machines are an important work tool in Germany that is primarily required for harvesting white asparagus, as the end consumer and the food supplier demand particularly high quality here. In contrast, green asparagus is grown there to a far lesser extent and sorting machines are not as common.
During the harvest season, large asparagus companies process 5 to 8 asparagus per second (in practice approx. 10,000 to 20,000 stalks per hour) using a sorting machine to sort several tons of asparagus daily and prepare them for sale to wholesalers .