Data equipping companies with essential information to combat sorting challenges
Companies using Bühler Insights are finding access to advanced data tracking in optical sorting is “ nourishing ” machinery with health and high performance in the same way that fruit and vegetables can nourish the body with nutrients for health .
The Internet of Things has brought with it an understanding of the many ways data can be used to increase productivity , identify faults , and earn higher revenue . Today , data has become a vital lifeline in the production of high-quality and sustainable fruits , vegetables and potatoes .
According to Bühler , to understand the value of data in optical sorters , it is important to understand the monetary value of a company ’ s time . For example , if a company is producing € 10,000 of vegetable products an hour and there is a fault that is not discovered until two hours later , then the company has potentially lost € 20,000 of revenue . This is just scratching the surface of the value of data in fruit , vegetable and potato sorting , but it gives an idea of the cost of not connecting and utilising data . The world needs to adapt to survive , and that includes the agriculture sector . Simply , data provides us with statistics that show behaviours , human behaviours , and machine behaviours . The more we understand behaviour , the more we can optimise , patch up the leaks , react speedily , and create a leaner , healthier business .
By way of example , Bühler dives into the three problems facing the fruit , veg and potato sector , and explains why how data is the “ hero ” we need .
PROBLEM 1 : BLOCKAGES Oftentimes , fruit , vegetable or potato 80 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk processing will involve frozen products . A common problem is when a product clump or ice chunk gets stuck and causes a blockage . This becomes a larger problem when the blockage obstructs the camera view which is detecting the product . In this scenario , perfectly good product can end up in the rejected stream , wasting resources and money .
THE SOLUTION :
The data integrated into Bühler Sortex machines easily and instantly recognise blockages , reporting them on the dashboard and triggering an alarm . This means the issue can get sorted quickly with minimal contamination or loss of good material .
PROBLEM 2 : VARIATIONS IN PRODUCT QUALITY
The data integrated into Bühler Sortex machines easily and instantly recognise blockages , reporting them on the dashboard and triggering an alarm .
Two differently farmed potatoes may both be nutritious , but they ’ re not always equal when it comes to processing costs and quality . Fruit and vegetable processors will often receive their raw materials from multiple suppliers . The problem ? One supplier ’ s quality may be better than another despite both farmers being paid the same . This could go unnoticed without the ability to measure and analyse the wasted material .
THE SOLUTION :
Data can effortlessly show which supplier has a greater rejected percentage . Appearing in the dashboard , the data will visually show problem areas , allowing customers to identify and act to reduce costs and become leaner . This could mean negotiating with the supplier for a better deal , and if they ask for proof , they can always be shown the data .
PROBLEM 3 : HUMAN ERROR
Companies will often process more than one type of product , and Sortex is highly skilled at sorting different products , the problem is when operators forget to switch the mode accordingly to the product .
THE SOLUTION :
Data outperforms human reliability . Bühler Insights provides a timeline of the mode selected , making it easy to track the issue and resolve it before too much good product is wasted .
While the agricultural world is still rooted on the ground , the digitalisation of agriculture is increasingly being seen as an ally in keeping fruits , vegetables , and potatoes high quality , clean and sustainably produced .
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