CrystalVision AbaloneSort 2004
Abalone Sorting System
CrystalVision Asort 2004 is a fast and accurate grading and sorting system, which consists of several hardware and software units that perform the following tasks:
- Singulating (separating the abalone's from each other)
- Grading (determining the quality of each abalone)
- Sorting (directing each abalone to a predefined output bin)
Manipulating abalones. A slow conveyer supplies abalones to a singulator. Asort's video camera then captures an image of the abalone and transfers it to the computer for grading and setting each abalone's final destination. Using a controller attached to the computer Asort directs each abalone to one of its four outlets.
Grading. Using an algorithm developed especially for abalone, Asorts's machine vision grades abalones for size.
Sorting. The sorting machine is controlled using a Windows-based software application. Using predefined sets of sorting plans (in response to client orders) the packing house can control the types and sizes of abalones that will turn to each bin.
The machine is made of stainless steel and plastics, with elements subject to corrosion enclosed in tight plastic cases. The abalones pass under the camera and into the sorting apparatus. An air actuated slider slides each abalone gently into the correct one of four different pools where it will wait to be packed and shipped.
AbaloneSort uses a PC as its main computing unit. Images of the abalones are captured using one or more color cameras. Activation of the slides ('fingers') is done using standard industrial opto22 cards.