Want to sort your pet food with greater efficiency and accuracy? Optimum Sorting has the answer thanks to its innovative 3-in-1 approach. By integrating camera, laser, and metal detection, this unique solution allows you to flawlessly detect and eliminate a wide range of defects – all with a single machine. Discover, step by step, how you can utilize this technique for efficient pet food optical sorting.
Growing focus on optical sorting of pet food
According to estimates, there are about 600 million cats and 900 million dogs kept as pets around the world. Obviously, all those little mouths need feeding. Our pets are often seen as part of our family, so it’s only natural that we want to give them the best food possible. Hence the vast range of kibble recipes available today that allow the owner to make a choice based on nutrients, dietary or dental hygiene needs.
Similar to human food, pet food is increasingly being held to higher standards. As a producer, it’s therefore essential to meticulously inspect every piece before packaging. After all, you not only want to avoid non-consumable foreign objects (like metal, glass,..) but also cross-contaminants (different kibble type or composition) to be extracted from your final product.
To date, standard practice in pet food sorting is based on color differences only. However, to tackle current challenges and meet today’s requirements, additional sorting criteria have become a necessity, such as: shape, size, structure, composition,… With the expertise of Optimum Sorting, all these defects can now be easily excluded with a single unique machine for pet food optical sorting.
Step 1: Sorting through camera technology
In the first step of the sorting process, we let the high-resolution cameras from Optimum Sorting do their job. These cameras, which are standard in our Novus sorting machines, can effortlessly detect deviations based on color, shape and/or size. Such deviations are most commonly found when sorting pet food, such as dry dog or cat kibble.
Pet food kibbles that are different in any way, whether in color, shape, broken, too small or too large, can consequently be detected by the cameras. Focusing on shape, size, and color helps to prevent cross-contamination. What does this entail? When a production line transitions from one type of kibble to another, there is always a risk that kibble from the previous batch remains on the conveyor belt.
The deviating kibble is then blown out using high performance compressed air valves and lands on a separate belt. This ensures that only the kibble that perfectly meets the consumer’s requirements and expectations is allowed to proceed to the next step in the production process.
Thanks to deep learning and AI based algorithms of the sorting software, it is also possible to accurately detect items which at first glance seem to have very similar properties as your good product.
Step 2: Sorting through laser technology
In the next step, let’s add laser technology to our pet food optical sorting process! By combining lasers with different wavelengths, you can easily analyze the structure and biological characteristics of your product.
Lasers are once again useful for eliminating cross-contamination but add a different layer to the sorting criteria. Suppose your production line switches from one type of kibble to another. Both types of kibble look exactly the same (same size, shape, color), but their composition differs (for example, slightly softer or harder in texture). In that case, only the appropriate lasers can detect the kibble that doesn’t belong on the conveyor belt.
The use of lasers also allows you to detect foreign objects with similar color but different structure, much better than camera’s – e.g. pieces of wood, plastic, stone, or glass that slipped through the first sorting phase. This is an often ignored but indispensable step in pet food optical sorting.
Step 3: Sorting with a metal detector’s touch!
As the final step, we highlight metal detection, referred to as „M-TEC“ at Optimum Sorting. This module is integrated into the frame of our sorters and detects the smallest pieces of metal (1 mm) embedded within a kibble, which makes it invisible to cameras and lasers.
Metal located underneath the product, or inside the product, can still be detected and removed efficiently. M-Tec is able to detect ferrous, non-ferrous and even stainless steel particles which makes it more efficient than standard magnet systems.
Discover Novus: our top choice for pet food optical sorting
The Novus belt sorter from Optimum Sorting is undoubtedly the most versatile solution for pet food optical sorting. Thanks to its unique configuration, it can easily combine camera, laser, and metal detection technology. This way, you only need one machine instead of three. Fewer machines mean lower investment and considerable space savings. The perfect 3-in-1 solution for your business!
With this Novus, Optimum Sorting offers you the widest belt sorter on the market (maximum belt width up to 2400 mm). This allows one machine to process an unprecedented large quantity of products simultaneously. The sorting machine is equipped with advanced sorting software that uses AI and deep learning models. Finally, it’s worth noting that all components are made of stainless steel. This makes the machine exceptionally easy to maintain and guarantees a hygienic environment for processing your pet food.
About Optimum Sorting
Optimum Sorting specializes in developing optical sorting technology, serving both food and non-food markets worldwide. They aim to optimize sorting efficiency, enabling our customers to maximize productivity and minimize (food) waste.
Optimum Sorting is a pioneer in the world of optical sorting machines, with roots going back to the 1980s. Their machines – Magnus, Novus and Ventus – can handle a wide range of products, from fresh and frozen foods to confectionery, pet food, novel foods, and even minerals. Their mission is clear: „Sorting smarter. Wasting less. Shaping tomorrow.“
More information: www.optimum-sorting.com (Pet food | Optimum Sorting)
