Fruit grading by ripeness can be done directly on the packing line with the DA-Meter® sensor for graders and sorting machines. The sensor measures the DA Index® of each fruit as it passes along the line, without contact and without damaging it. Fruit is therefore sorted not only by size, but also by its real ripening stage.
Why grade fruit by ripeness
Two fruit of the same size and colour can be very different inside: one ready to eat, the other suited to long-term storage. Traditional graders cannot see this difference. With the DA-Meter® sensor you get lots that are uniform in ripeness, and each one goes to the right use:
- the ripest fruitto nearby markets or immediate sale;
- the less ripe fruitto long-term cold storage or distant markets;
- off-standard fruitto a different process.
The result is less waste, fewer complaints and a more consistent product for the end customer.
How the sensor works
The sensor uses the same measuring principle as the DA-Meter® handheld. It detects how the flesh beneath the skin absorbs light and calculates the DA Index®, a value linked to chlorophyll content that decreases as the fruit ripens. The method was developed by Prof. Costa and his team at the University of Bologna.
On the line the measurement is non-invasive and contact-free, so the fruit is not touched. The sensor can be combined with a camera to grade in a single pass by both DA Index® and diameter.
Integration into existing machinery
There is no need to change your plant. The sensor integrates into the graders and sorting lines already in use, through a dedicated communication interface with the machine’s software.
The world’s first application: Sion, Switzerland
On 19 August 2014, at the Institute of Arboriculture in Sion, Switzerland, the world’s first application of a fruit grading system based on the DA Index® was presented. The presentation was attended by the Swiss press and the President of the Canton of Valais.
The collaboration between Agrimat srl and Sinteleia srl made it possible to mount the sensor on a grader and add the software that sorts fruit not only by diameter but also by ripeness. The Sion Institute carried out all the necessary trials, reaching a working speed of more than 10 fruit per second.
During the demonstration the machine was run in front of the audience. The Institute, which also had other measuring instruments, was able to show that, unlike grading by sugar content (Brix), the DA-Meter® system sorts fruit from least ripe to ripest, with clear advantages for operators.
Who it is designed for
- Packing houses and fruit and vegetable centres
- Cooperatives and producer organisations
- Manufacturers of graders and sorting lines who want to offer ripeness grading to their customers
Frequently asked questions
How fast does it work?
In the Sion trials the system exceeded 10 fruit per second.
Can I fit it to my grader?
In many cases yes, thanks to the communication interface. Tell us the make and model of your machine in the form below.
Is the fruit touched?
No, the measurement on the line is contact-free.
How do I request a quote?
Fill in the form below with the species, type of line and hourly capacity.
(product code: FRX02)
Fill in the form below to ask us for information or a quote on the products you are interested in.
