KW Automation fruit grading system, currently installed in a private packing facility in BC, Canada. First installed in the 2012 season and used annually since.
Comprises of the following:
Bin dumper - Automated bin dumping system which receives a bin (standard size fruit bin ie. Macro 33) from FLT loading and immerses the bin in the dipping tank. The bin then gradually rotates to allow the fruit to exit the bin in a controlled rate. There are 5 steps to the rotation and the speed at which the steps occur is programmable via the PLC control system (AB Micrologix) with the recommended software. The dumper has an overflow tank at it's exit to receive the displaced water and this is pumped on a recirculation basis into the main tank entrance to create a laminar flow, causing floating fruit to move to the exit. A roller conveyor sits on the floor of the main tank and transports sinking fruit to the exit. The speed of the conveyor is electronically variable (VFD) according to feed speed of the line required.
Air dryer - Fruit exiting the dump tank enters the air dryer over two rows of rotary brushes and onto a draining conveyor above which is a double squirrel cage fan to assist in dewatering.
Singulating conveyors - Fruit exiting the air dryer is transported along a dual lane singulation system to uniformly align the fruit.
Roller inspection conveyor - Single roller inspection conveyor with divider accepts the fruit from the singulators and transports the fruit to the grader whilst rotating the fruit on the conveyor for visual inspection. There is an air knife drying system installed on this roller conveyor section which the existing client has used on certain of his products for extra water dispersal. The air knife dryer system is not included in this sale, but can be found as a separate item on this site.
Electronic weight grader - The two lane, ten drop grader receives fruit from the inspection conveyor and each lane weighs the fruit individually. The speed of the grader is variable to approximately 420 cups per minute.
The cups tip the fruit to the programmed drop according to weight. Each drop is fed to one rotating bin. If a buyer required, the machine could be modified to allow the drops to be separated and effectively make it into a twenty drop machine. The last drop on this machine has been modified to accept fruit to a rotating table, speed variable, and this was carried out to separate the larger fruit and allow more packers to be able to access this drop. The other nine drops can be manned by packers who can pack at purpose built/height packing tables where they also have access to two further conveyors passing by them, one used currently for cull and the second one used for second grade fruit to direct it to a further part of the clients process.
Fruit which is too small to be graded travels off the end of the grader to a positioned bin.
The fruit grading programme is taken care of by a dedicated and easily programmable microprocessor supplied by TASC systems. The batch facility can be by weight or by number of fruits. The controller can do individual weight programmes as well as batching to fill, for example, totes. The TASC unit also interfaces with the labellers and labels according to programmed requirements. This client uses ProLabel International machines, which are NOT included in this sale, but the mounting framework for them is.
Electrical supply requirements are 208 volts, 60Hz, 32 Amps (TBC). Water supply for dump tank is currently through 2" connection and tank plus overflow tank holds approximately 7-9 cubic metres.
Overall dimensions of the line, assembled, are approximately 65 feet in length, 30 feet in width and maximum height is 13 feet. The equipment was shipped from the manufacturer in two 40 foot sea containers. It is easily disassembled for shipping and the negotiated price can include disassembly and loading to customer supplied transport FOB at dock on clients site. Flatbed trucks would be the most suitable for loading/unloading. I don't have the weights, but again, all fitted into two standard 40 foot containers and was transported from Vancouver port to us by standard truck.
Additional Prep Fees May Apply
