TECHNOLOGY | SORTATION
Above: Canon Global has developed sorting
technology which uses tracking type Raman spectroscopy to identify material types
combines the Recycleye AI sensor and Vision with MSS’ proven air ejection system to sort material at a volume compared to robotic or manual extraction methods. It delivers ten times higher picks per minute than any mechanical arm or human sorter, according to Felix Hottenstein, Sales Director for MSS. Conveyor belt speeds can be increased over the same conveyor width to maximise throughput and sorting efficiency, the company said. Multiple objects can be extracted side-by-side at the same time, similar to conventional optical sorters, and it requires lower compressed air usage.
Robotic solution MSS also offers a VividBot version with a robotic sorter for material extraction. The robotic arms are employed in applications where air jet units will not fit or where multiple separate sort categories are required to be extracted at once, MSS said. Recycleye QualiBot is based on retrofitting a multi-axis robot co-developed by Recycleye and Fanuc for plastics, non-ferrous and fibre materials sorting. Recycleye said its vision and robotics solution
were tested in a case study seeking to segregate higher levels of HDPE and remove contamination from a split-stream plastics line. The AI-driven robotic sorting system achieved 55 picks/minute and increased the volume of the targeted material from the waste stream by 12% while attaining 99% purity with less than 1% contamination. MSS will also offer VividVision, a statistics and
data monitoring tool for incoming and outgoing material streams that can be used to create data and material audit reports. User selected metrics regarding the exact amount and type of material picked in a specific period selected by the user can be shown on the Recycleye dashboard. This enables the user to gain a clearer understanding of the value of the materials picked and on the belt. MSS offers a range of optical sorters in its Cirrus
18 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | September 2024
family that incorporate NIR, colour and metal sensors, as well as its patented MaxSelect sequen- tial scanning technology, integrated ClearLight technology and proprietary air-assist material handling system. This includes the flagship Plastic- Max line for MRFs and municipal solid waste facilities which operate at a capacity of 2-12 tonnes/hr with up to 98% efficiency. Its PurePlastic- Max line for plastic recyclers is designed to sort full body sleeved PET, PE, and PP bottles at rates of 3-7 tonnes/hr with up to 98% efficiency. It also offers its FilmMax line for film recyclers that incorporates a proprietary material handling system to remove contaminants and off-colour materials from pre-shredded film and flexible packaging at rates from 0.5 to 3 tonnes/hr, and its FlakeMax line that can separate contaminants and off-colour materials from plastic flake, including black items. Multinational technology giant Canon Global has launched a new series of plastics sorting equipment based on an innovative material identification process capable of measuring black plastic pieces even when mixed in with other colours. The company said it is currently taking orders from the market for its TR Series, inaugu- rated with the TR-S1510 model. Canon Global’s first model in the TR series maintains a conveyor speed of 1.5 m/sec and can sort up to 1 tonne of plastic per hour. The unit can be customised to a client’s throughput and installation space by changing the module which tracks and measures the plastic pieces or a combi- nation of conveyor belts, the company said.
Raman spectroscopy The TR series is based on a process the company revealed a year ago which uses tracking type Raman spectroscopy technology to identify material types (Plastics Recycling World September 2023). The Raman spectroscopy detection method utilises laser light to illuminate plastic waste to obtain molecular information about material. This makes it possible to detect black plastic pieces or plastic pieces of black shades, which has been more challenging with other technologies. A substance emits Raman scattered light yielding a great deal of information when it is illuminated with laser light. Canon Global’s development combines Raman
spectroscopy with its own measurement and control equipment. Tracking type Raman spectros- copy technology can direct laser light toward the pieces to ensure there is enough measurement time for each piece of plastic.
Austria based sensor technology company
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
IMAGE: CANON GLOBAL
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
