Design and testing of an automated high-throughput computer vision guided waterjet knife strawberry calyx removal machine. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, John; Holmes, Maxwell; Vinson, Robert; Ge, Canran; Pogoda, Frank C.; Mahon, Luke; Gentry, Ryan; Seibel, Gary E.; Chen, Xin; Tao, Yang
• Is Part Of: Journal of food engineering. Volume 211(2017)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Automated -- High-throughput -- Waterjet knife -- Strawberry -- Calyx removal -- Machine; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Analyse -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2017.05.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-8774

Abstract

Abstract: An automated high-speed strawberry calyx removal machine was designed, built, tested, and evaluated. The three main components of the machine consisted of 1) a strawberry loading and orientation conveyor, 2) a color-based machine vision section for strawberry feature identification, and 3) a synchronized multi-waterjet knife calyx removal system. An overview of the machine as well as a description of the working principles of each component is included. A full-scale model of this machine was evaluated through a 12-week pilot study, during which the machine processed over 70 metric tons of strawberries. Results indicated that the machine could produce an average calyx-free strawberry weight yield of 49.6 percent at a rate of 2270 kg/hr. Furthermore, it was seen that strawberry size had a significant effect on machine efficacy. Highlights: An automated waterjet based strawberry calyx removal machine is designed and tested. A quick method to orient, singulate, and stabilize conical strawberries for calyx removal is evaluated. The machine produced an average weight yield efficacy of 49.6 percent at a rate of 2270 kg/hour.