SortiPack sytem to move beyond just cucumbers, tomatoes

SortiPack is a modular system for automatic grading, sorting and packing which Crux Agribotics launched successfully in 2019. SortiPack, can be adapted to handle different crops, vegetables and fruit.

The vision, machine learning for grading and sorting algorithms can be re-used as it is designed in a modular way. The gripper technology and handling concept can be optimized per type of product and package.

SortiPack offers ultimate flexibility, lowers cost and dependency of human labor and enables growers to increase capacities as the system works consistently, in a more hygienic way and optimizes the product volume and weight per package. The system can operate 24/7 and all data is available for analysis purposes or to predict yields. As the system is based on a self-learning architecture it uses its actual product data also to provide proactive feedback on settings to enable growers to adjust sorting and grading settings to optimize yields and to reduce waste.

“After having sold our SortiPack systems to growers of tomatoes and cucumbers, we can now extend our offering to more fruits and vegetables and to a larger number of customers worldwide,” said Richard Vialle, CCO and founder, Crux Agribotics. “In DWC, we see a reliable partner with the reach and experience to advise and support customers in the process of automating with robots.”

DWC will focus its sales of SortiPack Robots for grading, sorting and packing to products it is renowned for, such as chicory, parsnip, sweet pointed peppers, leeks and sweet potatoes. When DWC customers show interest in automating the sorting and packing process of other vegetables or fruit, DWC and Crux Agribotics will collaborate closely together to see if this can be achieved with its modular robotic concept.

The partnership has been established the last months by developing a weighing/packing solution together and has already resulted in the first sales of two SortiPack Robots for sorting and packing chicory into flowpack and crates automatically. In this case, SortiPack ensures the best possible combination of chicory to optimize product package uniformity and give away weight.

“We have a vast experience and installed base of customers worldwide and SortiPack enables us to address the growing need for automation in our target markets driven by increasing cost and scarcity of labor,” said Jan Damen, CEO, Dutch Weighing Company. “With this partnership, we can migrate our customer to future proof automation where smart algorithms and data usage facilitate further optimization of their revenues and profits.”

Both companies will be present during Fruit Logistica 2020 in Berlin (Feb. 5-7) and will demonstrate and promote SortiPack at their respective stands in hall 9.