Abstract
The development of a machine vision system for automated high-speed produce grading is described. Image processing techniques were used to obtain an estimate of the volume of each item, which was then related to the weight through a closed-loop calibration. Accurate weight estimation led to more accurate and better control over the spread of package weights. This reduced the average package weight by approximately 20%, with a standard deviation of 2.5 g for a nominal 100 g package. Improved processing efficiencies doubled the throughput and significantly increased the profitability of the packinghouse.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Bailey DG (2003) Sub-pixel estimation of local extrema. In: Image and Vision Computing New Zealand (IVCNZ’03), Palmerston North, New Zealand, 26–28 November, 2003, pp 414–419
Bailey DG, Hodgson RM (1988) VIPS – a digital image processing algorithm development environment. Image Vis Comput 6(3):176–184. doi:10.1016/0262-8856(88)90024-8
Bailey DG, Mercer KA, Plaw C, Ball R, Barraclough H (2004) High speed weight estimation by image analysis. In: 2004 New Zealand National Conference on Non Destructive Testing, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 27–29 July, 2004, pp 89–96
Bailey DG, Mercer KA, Plaw C, Ball R, Barraclough H (2001) Three dimensional vision for real-time produce grading. In: Machine Vision and Three-Dimensional Imaging Systems for Inspection and Metrology II, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, vol SPIE 4567, 29–30 October, 2001, pp 171–178, doi: 10.1117/12.455254
Ball T, Folwell RJ (2004) Economic analysis of alternatives to manual sorting using selected electronic graders in asparagus fresh packing. J Food Process Preserv 28(6):405–416. doi:10.1111/j.1745-4549. 2004.22150.x
Davies ER (2005) Machine vision: theory, algorithms, practicalities, 3rd edn. Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco
Gilman A, Bailey DG (2005) High speed weighing using impact on load cells. In: IEEE Region 10 Conference (IEEE Tencon’05), Melbourne, Australia, 21–24 November, 2005, doi: 10.1109/TENCON. 2005.301118
Gilman A, Bailey DG (2002) Using the impact on load cells for high-speed weighing. In: Ninth Electronics New Zealand Conference (ENZCon’02), Dunedin, New Zealand, 14–15 November, 2002, pp 12–17
Gonzalez RC, Woods RE (2008) Digital image processing, 3rd edn. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey
Mercer K, Bailey DG, Plaw C, Ball R, Barraclough H (2002) Intelligent actuators for a high speed grading system. In: Ninth Electronics New Zealand Conference (ENZCon’02), Dunedin, New Zealand, 14–15 November, 2002, pp 61–65
Morales-Blancas EF, Cárcamo RC, Cisneros-Zevallos L (2001) Determination of shape parameters for asparagus spears by 3-D digitizing. In: 2001 Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisianna, 23–27 June, 2001, paper 88C–32
Rigney MP, Brusewitz GH (1992) Asparagus shape features for quality assessment. Trans Am Soc Agric Eng 35(5):1607–1613
Rigney MP, Brusewitz GH, Kranzler GA (1992) Asparagus defect inspection with machine vision. Trans Am Soc Agric Eng 35(6):1873–1878
Robinson JE, Browne KM, Burton WG (1975) Storage characteristics of some vegetables and soft fruits. Ann Appl Biol 81(3):399–408. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.1975.tb01656.x
Russ JC (2002) The image processing handbook, 4th edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton
Acknowledgements
A large project such as this is never a one-man effort. My role in the project related to the image and signal processing aspects. The other members of the development team were: Ralph Ball and Harvey Barraclough, who focussed on the mechanical engineering aspects of the project; Ken Mercer, who developed the intelligent actuators; Colin Plaw, who developed the LabVIEW based control system; Andrew Gilman, who investigated high-speed weighing using load cells; and Geoff Lewis from the packinghouse, who provided the test system and copious quantities of asparagus for testing.
We also acknowledge funding for this project from Technology New Zealand through a Technology for Business Growth Grant.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag London Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Bailey, D. (2012). Automatic Produce Grading System. In: Batchelor, B.G. (eds) Machine Vision Handbook. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-169-1_37
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-169-1_37
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-84996-168-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-84996-169-1
eBook Packages: EngineeringReference Module Computer Science and Engineering