Generic carrots

The grading machine analyses 80,000 carrots an hour

Produce World has reported its new carrot-grading machine has significantly improved quality control.

The grader, created by Newtec, replaced on-the-line manual grading and keeps labour and energy costs down, according to the vegetable supplier.

The machine uses cameras, taking up to 40 photos per carrot,to detect defects in the vegetable and once it's analysed the images to look for defects, the grader then rejects or approves individual carrots for packing. The whole process for each carrot takes approximately one second.

The machine - which is capable of grading around 80,000 carrots every hour based on length, shape and colour - can detect up to 10 different quality defects.

'The machine installation shows our customers that we are committed to improving the business by putting processes in place that will ensure quality continues to be of the highest standard,' saidJamie Tointon, factory manager for Produce World Yaxley.

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