When it comes to grape packing and the grading of grapes, there is nothing that beats the Vizier Grape Sizer. The packing of grapes becomes a breeze with many financial benefits. Grape grading is very effective with this state of the art electronics and software.
In a price-sensitive market, the biggest benefit of the Vizier Grape Sizer is the considerable labour cost reduction. Thus, pack house productivity is improved by using labour where it’s most needed – in the vineyard.
In high-tech grape farming, coupled with world-wide demand for food safety and best agricultural practices, this sizer is a breakthrough in minimising human handling of grapes. The machine sorts grapes by colour, berry size and weight to achieve accurate carton or punnet mass, while providing the necessary productivity statistics. Furthermore, it can be programmed to deliver the grape bunches at individually suited packer rates.
A major operational advantage is the ability of the sizer to change packing types, adapt carton weights, trim berry size classification and adjust class colour bands. Packing different pack types simultaneously will simplify the allocation of resources and optimise throughput.
The grape sizer system is capable of determining cartons produced per sorted class. When this reporting function is used to register the delivered grapes per batch, critical management production reports detailing costs and yield per variety or block can be produced.
By integrating a tracing system into the machine, a packed product can be tracked back to its vineyard block. A further electronic and software function is throughput monitoring and both packer and cutter productivity.
The system can also be enhanced with by adding our additional software for the grading of other fruit types like pomegranate, capsicum, cantaloupe, etc.
Noteworthy benefits to grape producers include:
Savings of about 100 gm per carton in the best case scenario
Higher packer productivity: 2 minutes per carton rather than 3 minutes implies 80 cartons more a day per packer
Punnet packing of at least 20 pallets a day
Reduced bunch handling, obviating the need for scale persons and grading checkers
Higher cutting, sorting, weighing and packing productivity
Improved classification uniformity provides a more favourable presentation in the market
Taking from bordering classes to optimise volume in a high value class
Windows-based application with graphic display and configuration
SQL real-time database
Reports of sorted fruit statistics per variety per grower/orchard/batch, cumulative reports per variety per grower. Also, it can be configured to run in either sample sizer or continuous mode
Integrated system diagnostics
Integrated system maintenance functionality
Managing up to four grades to any combination of the available lanes
Real-time graphs of sorted statistics
Optional software functionality allows packer performance and throughput monitoring, as well as implementing traceability labeling
System status monitoring functionality in the software will indicate the operational system status. Automatic modes can be programmed to kick in
Remote sizer management option using iPAQ handheld computer
iPAQ functions
The iPAQ tool provides the packhouse manager with a remote sizer monitoring function. It can issue alarms if operational parameters are outside specifications and will allow modification of some sizer parameters and program settings. Features include:
Real-time feedback of sorter status and speed
Basic sorter mode adjustments
Change sorter speed
Switch between auto and manual mode
Statistical display
Modify running program and classification options for colour, diameter and weight
Packing capacity indication per grade
Threshold notification on low and/or high capacity per packing table
Carton throughput total: per batch, to date (per day and week)
Carton throughput per packing point: per batch and to date (per day)
Cup-fill graph
An additional class distribution display
Mechanical
System height adjustable by ±100 mm
Three-point weighbridge technology used with standard fruit sizer cups but larger inserts
Flexibility on pack format
Throughput of up to 5 cups a second per lane
Frame constructed of laser-cut, powder-coated segments
Plastic belting used to carry cups
Packing and loading areas at an ergonomically designed height
Automated sizer speed control to suit packing tempos
Performance
Measure berry size accurately to ±1 mm
Gain on mass per carton (> 50 gm/carton)
Weigh bunches accurately to ±1 gm
Measure colour as % of bunch (or berry) area within specified colour boundaries.
