TOMRA Sorting (ODENBERG and BEST) will install a number of its new FPS sorters in Belgium, France and Holland over the next few weeks. The FPS, Field Potato Sorter, for unwashed potatoes, uses multi-spectral technology to remove dirt, stones and rotten potatoes.
The FPS is unique - it's the first sorting machine in the industry for unwashed potatoes. The machine is fitted with an NIR scanner, an invention of TOMRA for which they have requested a patent. The technology enables a multi-spectral representation of the NIR spectral zone. With this technology the exact organic characteristics and their compositions can be analysed, which means that clumps of dirt, stones, rotten potatoes and the usual odd material can be removed. The most recent spectroscopic representation technology NIR by TOMRA is an improvement on the technology, which has been used within the company for over 15 years.
The machine can be used for different types and sizes of unwashed potatoes. To optimise their processes the potato processors can use the analysis that FPS can do about the measurements of the potato. This data can be used in other stages of the processing process.
The FPS will be exhibited at Potato Europe in Emmeloord (stand C370) in September. Here TOMRA Sorting will demonstrate the possibilities and functions of the FPS live.
The FPS is replacing the hard to find man power needed to clean the flow of production. The machine is also compact and available in various widths to fit all specific capacities, up to a maximum of 80,000 kilos an hour. The FPS is robust, waterproof and user friendly.
The sorting machine is compatible with other sorting equipment, but can also be used on its own to sort the harvested potatoes before or after they are stored. It is clear that the potato processing industry and harvesting companies can lower the labour and storage costs significantly and raise the product quality and efficiency by choosing the FPS.
