Metrology/Inspection: Optical Sorting

Optical sorting with lasers can recognize the color, shape, size, and specific structural characteristics of an object while achieving in-line, non-destructive testing at industrial throughput speeds

About Metrology/Inspection: Optical Sorting

Widely used across the food industry worldwide, optical sorting can recognize the color, shape, size, and specific structural characteristics of an object while achieving in-line, non-destructive testing at industrial throughput speeds. Many optical sorting systems utilize multiple lasers to differentiate products based on reflectivity in more than one light spectrum. Lasers offer specific advantages when differentiating between products, have the ability to distinguish structural properties and color, and are especially effective when the texture is a sorting parameter. Novanta polygon scanners can be customized to meet specific application parameters with features engineered to meet the needs of demanding industrial environments, including:

High precision bearings for stability and long lifetimes
Custom designed brushless DC motors for high speed operation
Motor bodies that can accommodate large aperture mirrors
Special labyrinth seals to mitigate oil mist from bearings, keeping oil deposits off mirror facets
Customizable scanner size and facet counts to suit beam size and scan angle

In addition to the food industry, optical sorting is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, waste recycling, and other industries.