Optimization of parameters of a vibration system for sorting and calibrating deep frozen berry fruits

Abstract

Sorting and calibrating berry fruits is a costly process in terms of human labor and time needed for the efficient sorting based on quality and size. Sorting and calibrating is performed on previously cooled or frozen products, which prevents damaging the product during mechanical processing. The development of new solutions for sorting and calibrating should go in the direction of high capacity machines, with minimum engagement of human labor. This approach requires application of vibrating screen separators with predefined screen sizes, in order to meet the required size and quality. These systems should be capable to sort other fruits, besides raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. This paper shows the solutions for mechanical sorting and calibrating, with special attention to the optimization of working parameters. Exact designs were analyzed, an optimization of kinematic parameters was performed, an adequate model of a vibration system was shown, which makes the requested productivity possible, for the purpose of achieving an economically justified process for separation of deep frozen products.

Keywords

• sorting
• calibration
• parameters
• vibrating device
• transport
• cost efficient