OPTICROP: Optical Sorting

AI-Powered Optical Sorting for Tomatoes & Potatoes

Revolutionizing Agricultural Sorting

In an industry where quality, efficiency, and food safety are paramount, traditional manual sorting methods are failing to meet modern demands.

CSMT Agri introduces OPTICROP – a breakthrough optical sorting technology that combines artificial intelligence (AI), machine vision, and precision engineering to transform how tomatoes and potatoes are harvested, sorted, and processed.

99.5%

Sorting Accuracy

80%

Labor Cost Reduction

45%

Productivity Increase

18-24

Month ROI Period
The Industry Crisis

The Crisis in Modern Crop Harvesting

The global agricultural industry is facing a perfect storm of challenges that threaten profitability, sustainability, and food safety. Traditional manual sorting methods – once the backbone of crop processing – can no longer keep pace with modern demands.

Labor costs are rising at unprecedented rates, workforce availability is declining, and consumer expectations for quality and safety have never been higher. Meanwhile, processing speeds must increase to meet growing global food demand.

The Current State of Agricultural Sorting

Industry data reveals the severity of challenges facing traditional sorting operations:

15-25%

Product Defects Missed by Manual Sorting

30-40%

Labor Costs as % of Operations

$10M+

Average Cost per Product Recall

Contamination Crisis

Manual sorters physically cannot detect all foreign objects, especially when they’re similar in color to the produce or hidden from view. Metal detectors catch some materials but miss stones, plastic, and organic debris.

Skyrocketing Labor Costs

Labor shortages during peak harvest seasons force operations to accept unqualified workers, offer premium wages, or run at reduced capacity. High turnover rates mean constant recruitment and training expenses.

Quality Inconsistency

Damaged, diseased, or unripe produce slipping through reduces entire batch quality. Customers receive inconsistent products, leading to complaints, returns, and contract penalties.

the Solution

OPTICROP™: The most advanced automated sorting system for tomato and potato

Revolutionary AI-powered optical sorting that transforms your agricultural processing

CSMT Agri's Intelligent Sorting Technology

OPTICROP™ is an advanced automatic sorting system designed specifically for tomato and potato harvesting operations. Using sophisticated optical sensors and machine vision technology powered by deep learning AI, it analyzes and sorts every single item in real-time—directly in the field or in processing facilities.

Operating at speeds up to 35 ejections per second with 99.5% accuracy, OPTICROP™ identifies and removes all types of foreign materials including soil, metal, plastic, stones, wood, and glass. Simultaneously, it grades produce by size, color, ripeness, and quality while detecting defects invisible to the human eye.

  • AI-powered detection surpasses human consistency with 99.5% accuracy

  • Real-time processing at full harvest speed 35 Sorts/Second

  • Sees defects invisible to human eyes with multi-spectral vision

  • Complete data visibility and traceability with cloud intelligence

How OPTICROP™ Works

OPTICROP™ employs a sophisticated four-stage process that delivers unmatched sorting accuracy and speed. From capture to ejection, every millisecond is optimized for maximum throughput and precision.

1

Product Capture & Distribution

Harvested produce enters via conveyor belt where vibratory feeders automatically distribute items into a uniform monolayer with optimal 5-10mm spacing. Belt speed synchronizes with harvester output (1.5-3.0 m/s) for consistent flow across all channel sizes.

Key Capabilities:

  • Capacity: 10-100 tons/hour based on channel width
  • Automatic flow regulation and spacing control
  • Handles mixed sizes without reconfiguration

2

Multi-Spectral Imaging

Multiple imaging systems capture comprehensive data from every angle. Hyperspectral cameras record chemical signatures (100+ wavelengths), NIR sensors detect internal composition, and RGB cameras capture surface details—all with controlled LED illumination that eliminates ambient interference.

Key Capabilities:

  • 360° inspection with 15-30ms capture time
  • Up to 8K resolution for maximum detail
  • Works in all daylight and weather conditions

3

AI-Powered Analysis

Deep learning neural networks instantly process images on edge computing hardware, analyzing color, texture, shape, and spectral signatures. Advanced algorithms detect all defects and foreign materials while grading by size, color, ripeness, and quality—achieving 99.5% accuracy in under 5 milliseconds.

Key Capabilities:

  • Detects bruising, rot, disease, and foreign materials
  • Multi-grade classification (A, B, C, reject)
  • Continuous learning with <1% false positives

4

Precision Ejection & Data Logging

AI-triggered pneumatic ejectors remove unwanted items with millisecond precision at up to 35 ejections per second. Advanced trajectory prediction ensures accurate separation at maximum throughput. All sorting data flows to the cloud platform for complete traceability, analytics, and continuous optimization.

Key Capabilities:

  • Multi-lane separation into quality grades
  • Real-time performance monitoring and alerts
  • GPS-tagged yield mapping and waste tracking
Core Technology

The Technology Behind OPTICROP™

OPTICROP™ integrates multiple advanced technologies into a single cohesive system, delivering capabilities far beyond traditional sorting methods.

Advanced Machine Vision

Multi-sensor imaging captures data across the electromagnetic spectrum. Hyperspectral cameras reveal chemical composition, RGB cameras detect surface defects, and NIR sensors identify internal issues invisible to human eyes.

Deep Learning AI

Convolutional neural networks trained on millions of images analyze thousands of visual features simultaneously, detecting defects and grading produce with continuous learning capabilities.

Precision Pneumatic System

Ultra-precise ejection system synchronized with AI decisions. Advanced trajectory prediction ensures accurate separation at maximum throughput with millisecond timing.

Cloud Intelligence Platform

Cloud connectivity transforms sorting data into actionable intelligence with real-time dashboards, yield mapping, predictive maintenance, and complete traceability from field to customer.
Key Benefits

Transformative Benefits for Your Operation

OPTICROP™ delivers measurable improvements across every aspect of your sorting operation, from quality and efficiency to costs and data visibility.
  • 📈 Superior Product Quality

    Achieve consistent premium-grade quality by eliminating 100% of foreign materials and detecting defects invisible to human sorters. Deliver consistent products that command premium prices and build customer loyalty.

  • 💰 Dramatic Cost Reduction

    Slash labor costs by 80% while eliminating overtime, benefits, training, and turnover expenses. Reduce waste by 14% through precise sorting. Protect expensive processing equipment from damage.

  • ⚡ Maximum Throughput

    Process crops at full harvesting speed without bottlenecks. 45% increase in sorting capacity means more acres harvested per day and faster time-to-market during peak season.

  • 🎯 Perfect Consistency

    Eliminate human variability with AI that never fatigues, never gets distracted, and applies identical standards to every single item, 24/7. Same accuracy morning, afternoon, and night.

  • 📊 Complete Data Visibility

    Gain unprecedented insights with real-time quality metrics, yield mapping, waste analysis, and performance trends. Make data-driven decisions that optimize every aspect of your operation.

  • 🛡️ Enhanced Food Safety

    Eliminate foreign material contamination that creates recall risks. Ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Protect your brand reputation and customer relationships.

  • 🌍 Sustainability Impact

    Reduce food waste through accurate grading. Lower false rejection rates recover more quality product. Optimize resource utilization across your entire operation.

  • 🔧 Proven Reliability

    Built on 20+ years of field-proven technology with IP66-rated construction designed for harsh agricultural environments. Predictive maintenance minimizes downtime.

Technical Data

Sizes Available – Channels
40″, 48″, 74″, 96″
Power Supply 9 ÷ 18 Vdc
Protection Grade IP66
Box Material
AISI 304 – powder coated painted
Display
Graphic 240 x 128 dot backlighted
Function Temperature Range
-5°C to +60°C (23°F to 140°F)
Pneumatic Supply
Lubricated air (oil NSF Certified)
Nominal Air Pressure
4 Bar (60 PSI)
Pneumatic Cylinders
Bore 16mm • Stroke 25mm
Max Reject Frequency 35 shot/sec

See OPTICROP™ in Action

Get Started Today

Ready to Transform Your Sorting Operations?

Contact CSMT Agri Solutions today to learn how OPTICROP™ can eliminate contamination, reduce labor costs by 80%, and deliver measurable ROI for your operation.

Please fill out the form below and our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.