A method is provided for selectively sorting out free-flowing products conveyed in a conveying track in a conveying direction along a conveying path. The conveyed products are checked by an inspection apparatus in an inspection portion of the conveying path. In a sorting-out portion arranged downstream along the conveying path, product that does not fulfil a predefinable inspection criterion is sorted out and removed from the conveying track by a suction device. The suction device is arranged on the conveying path and a suction flow that flows away from the conveying track is generated for a predetermined suction duration in order to suction-off the product out of the conveying track. A suction tube of the suction device including a suction opening is arranged at a front end of the conveying track to suction-off product falling from the conveying track along a fall trajectory through the suction opening.

The present invention relates to a device and method for sowing seeds. The invention relates more particularly to a device and method for sowing seeds as part of a plant. The system according to the invention comprises a separating device for separating a single seed relative to a remainder of the plurality of seeds, an optical recognition system (9) for recognizing the separated seed, a robot arm device (4) for picking up the separated seed and for sowing the picked-up seed, arid a control unit for controlling the separating device, the optical recognition system (9) and the robot arm device (4). With this system it is possible to sow seeds in a more accurate and less error-prone manner.

The present invention relates to a device and method for sowing seeds. The invention relates more particularly to a device and method for sowing seeds as part of a plant breeding process. The system according to the invention comprises a separating device for separating a single seed relative to a remainder of the plurality of seeds, an optical recognition system for recognizing the separated seed, a robot arm device for picking up the separated seed and for sowing the picked-up seed, and a control unit for controlling the separating device, the optical recognition system and the robot arm device. With this system it is possible to sow seeds in a more accurate and less error-prone manner.

Provided is a method for processing electronic and electrical device component scrap, which can accurately and efficiently sort electronic and electrical device component scrap. The method for processing electronic and electrical device component scrap includes a separation step of separating non-metal objects 1b or metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 from electronic and electrical device component scrap 1 containing the metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 and the non-metal objects 1b using a sorter 10 comprising a metal sensor 2, a color camera 3, an air valve 4, and a conveyor 5, wherein a fixed distance is provided between the metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 adjacent to each other so as to prevent the non-metal objects 1b between the metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 from being erroneously detected, when detecting the metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 in the electronic and electrical device component scrap 1 by the metal sensor 2.

In one example embodiment, a robotic vacuum sorting system comprises: a suction gripper mechanism mounted to a sorting robot; a vacuum system coupled to the suction gripper mechanism; robot control logic and electronics coupled to the sorting robot and the vacuum system; and an imaging device coupled to the robot control logic and electronics. In response to an image signal from the imaging device, the robot control logic and electronics outputs robot control signals to control the sorting robot, and outputs one or more airflow control signals to the vacuum system to execute a capture action on a target object using the suction gripper. During the capture action, the robot control logic and electronics outputs control signals such that the vacuum system pulls a vacuum at the gripping port of the suction gripper mechanism as the suction gripper mechanism is applied to capture and hold the target object.

An object conveying system is provided. The system comprises guide plate (10) having at least one channel (11) for conveying an object (0) between a first end (11a) and second end (11b) of the corresponding channel (11). Each channel (11) comprises a first aperture (121) provided at a first longitudinal position thereof (P1).The system further comprises an object measurement unit (13) for conducting an optical measurement associated with a property of the object via the first aperture (121) when the object passes the first aperture (121) towards the second end (11b). At least one ejector unit (14) is arranged to eject the object conveyed on the corresponding channel when reaching a second longitudinal position (P2, P2) located downstream of the first aperture (121) based on the measured property of the object and a timing signal associated with a conveying velocity of the object being conveyed along the channel (11).

In one example embodiment, a robotic vacuum sorting system comprises: a suction gripper mechanism mounted to a sorting robot; a vacuum system coupled to the suction gripper mechanism; robot control logic and electronics coupled to the sorting robot and the vacuum system; and an imaging device coupled to the robot control logic and electronics. In response to an image signal from the imaging device, the robot control logic and electronics outputs robot control signals to control the sorting robot, and outputs one or more airflow control signals to the vacuum system to execute a capture action on a target object using the suction gripper. During the capture action, the robot control logic and electronics outputs control signals such that the vacuum system pulls a vacuum at the gripping port of the suction gripper mechanism as the suction gripper mechanism is applied to capture and hold the target object.

In one example embodiment, a robotic vacuum sorting system comprises: a suction gripper mechanism mounted to a sorting robot; a vacuum system coupled to the suction gripper mechanism; robot control logic and electronics coupled to the sorting robot and the vacuum system; and an imaging device coupled to the robot control logic and electronics. In response to an image signal from the imaging device, the robot control logic and electronics outputs robot control signals to control the sorting robot, and outputs one or more airflow control signals to the vacuum system to execute a capture action on a target object using the suction gripper. During the capture action, the robot control logic and electronics outputs control signals such that the vacuum system pulls a vacuum at the gripping port of the suction gripper mechanism as the suction gripper mechanism is applied to capture and hold the target object.

A coffee bean sorting system has a feeding mechanism, a rotary disk, at least one image capture device, an information processing device, and a removal mechanism. The rotary disk can receive coffee beans transported from the feeding mechanism, and can rotate along an axis thereof, such that the coffee beans are spaced apart from each other and form a succession. The image capture device can capture an initial image of each of the coffee beans. The information processing device can perform machine learning training or deep learning training function, identify each of the initial images, and after determining a coffee bean is non-conforming, make the removal mechanism to remove the non-conforming coffee bean.

This disclosure concerns methods for processing and grading food articles including x-raying the food articles a first time and taking a 3D image of the food articles.