Flikweert Vision’s QualityGrader, introduced three years ago, has marked a significant technological advancement in the agricultural sector. The machine, designed for optical sorting, quickly became the go-to solution for the Dutch seed potato industry and soon after, the onion processing sector. The company’s relentless pursuit of excellence, driven by a dynamic and forward-thinking team, has resulted in continuous upgrades to the QualityGrader, further enhancing its accuracy and capacity.
Striving for Excellence
Based in the southwest of the Netherlands, Flikweert Vision prides itself on a commitment to technological innovation and quality. The company, led by three passionate owners, has consistently raised the bar in the industry. The latest upgrade to the QualityGrader includes a significant enhancement in both camera technology and computing power, leading to improved accuracy and capacity.
Camera Upgrade
“Our ambition with the QualityGrader is to eliminate 100 percent of the manual sorting work for potatoes and onions. With this upgrade, we are one step closer to making this ambition a reality,” says Martijn Flikweert, co-owner of Flikweert Vision. The new upgrade doubles the number of cameras, ensuring that each product is monitored by at least two cameras. This multi-angle assessment significantly improves the detection of defects, making the sorting process more reliable and efficient.
Computing Power Upgrade Doubles Capacity
To handle the increased data from the additional cameras, the QualityGrader now features six times more computing power. This upgrade more than doubles the machine’s capacity, making it ready for future demands. The enhanced computing power allows for more rapid and accurate sorting, reducing the reliance on manual labor.
Further Development
The upgrades pave the way for further software development, moving closer to fully autonomous quality grading. Martijn Flikweert highlights the company’s expanded R&D team and their commitment to ongoing innovation. “Our ambition is no secret: we want to fully automate quality grading of potatoes and onions worldwide, and we will not stop until this goal is achieved,” he says.
First Customer Experiences
The upgrades have been extensively tested and implemented by several customers, including seed potato producer Klaver Koeling in the Noordoostpolder area of the Netherlands. Jan Mussche of Klaver Koeling expresses his satisfaction with the updated QualityGraders, noting the significant improvement in accuracy. “We are convinced that this is a major leap forward in sorting potatoes without human labor,” he enthuses. “We would never want to go back to conventional grading. This is the future!”
Flikweert Vision’s QualityGrader continues to revolutionize the agricultural sector, offering unparalleled accuracy and efficiency in optical sorting. With its recent upgrades, the machine is set to transform the industry further, making manual sorting a thing of the past. The company’s commitment to innovation ensures that the QualityGrader will remain at the forefront of agricultural technology, driving progress and sustainability in the sector.
