Hyperspectral imaging sensors inspect, sort, and grade nuts and whole-food products

Headwall Photonics (Fitchburg, MA) will be supplying its high-resolution Hyperspec imaging sensors to Bratney Companies (Des Moines, IA), which provides processing systems for nuts and specialty crops. The hyperspectral imaging instruments will be at the heart of Bratney's line of machine vision systems that sort and grade nuts and whole food products.

The Hyperspec imaging sensors have Headwall-produced application-specific software algorithms customized for nuts, seeds, and specialty crops or grains. The Hyperspec sensor collects complete spectral image data for every pixel within the field of view and applies spectral and shape discrimination algorithms to inspect and grade processed food items. The system controls the operation of the sensor hardware and monitors the flow of product along the conveyor line, then drives the action of the robotic ejection devices, allowing the Bratney picking and sorting equipment to manage the spectral data in a variety of ways determined by the grade and quality requirements of the food processor.

"This technology allows us to detect defects and infractions both visible and invisible to the human eye," says Peter Bratney, CEO of Bratney Companies. "Therefore, separations which are far beyond the capabilities of traditional human sorters are now possible, which is a tremendous benefit to our customers."

Source: Headwall Photonics