QualityGrader No. 200 produced

We have produced the 200th QualityGrader, and as a team, we are proud to have reached this milestone. Just three years after the launch of the first QualityGrader, we reflect on a period of growth and innovation.

The strength of the QualityGrader

Initially, the QualityGrader was only used for unwashed potatoes, but this changed rapidly after its introduction for sorting onions and washed potatoes. Thanks to its compact design, the machine can be easily integrated into any sorting line. Additionally, through close collaboration with various system integrators, we have repeatedly been able to meet the specific needs of our customers. Meanwhile, the continuous development of the machine has never ceased.

This past summer, we introduced the upgrade option for the QualityGraders. With the camera upgrade, the machines are now equipped with six cameras instead of three, ensuring that the product is always captured from at least two camera angles. This leads to a significant improvement, especially in detecting small defects. The computing power upgrade allows for a capacity of up to 20 tons per hour, while also ensuring the computers can process the extra data from the camera upgrade. These advancements have led to a strong increase in sales, both within the Netherlands and far beyond.

Albert Elligsen

The 200th QualityGrader will go to Albert Elligsen GmbH, a German packaging company that decided to invest in four QualityGraders this summer. This family-owned business is a well-established name in the packaging industry for washed potatoes and onions, supplying mainly to supermarkets in Germany. Elligsen was looking for proven technology that could accurately separate various defects from quality products, in order to meet the high standards of their buyers. Additionally, the company had been facing increasing difficulty in finding sufficient labor during peak periods, which made the choice for the QualityGrader even more appealing.

Thijs van der Torren, who represents Flikweert Vision in Germany, supported the purchase process of the QualityGraders. “The client did extensive market research on different sorting machines, and travelled to the Netherlands several times to see the QualityGraders in action, among other machines.” The machine had to have a minimum drop height and be ready for practice for both potatoes and onions. Ultimately, Elligsen chose the QualityGrader. To guarantee Elligsen’s processing capacity, four machines will be installed side by side.

The project will be integrated into an existing line by DT Dijkstra, a party we have enjoyed working with on several occasions. In close consultation, we designed the new sorting line to create smart solutions that benefit the customer. Thanks to this setup, Elligsen will soon be able to keep the entire line running 24/7 with a smaller team, while maintaining high accuracy.

The future of the QualityGrader

Multiple deliveries are scheduled for this fall to Germany, England, and France. “We can use the new data from other regions to further develop the software. A larger database helps the machine recognize defects more quickly and accurately,” Thijs concludes. We continue to work hard toward our goal of fully automating the quality sorting of potatoes and onions worldwide.