Automatic filling stations with dynamic outlet control
In January this year, Greefa started the on-site realization of the project in Finland. "It was an intensive period of designing and manufacturing and we have developed a fully automated system according to Närpes Grönsaker's needs. The complete installation was built up in our factory in Tricht (The Netherlands) and shipped to the packing house in Närpes, Finland", said Greefa's export manager Otto Klop.
Automatic infeed of the boxes from the different growers
Quality selection table. Depending on the overall quality from the batch, a first manual check can take place.
8-lane sorting machine with 42 exits and a capacity of 18 tons per hour. The tomatoes are sorted on a high-speed SmartSort sorting machine. The machine will bring each tomato to the right exit, depending on the weight and characteristics.
"The biggest challenge during the designing process, prequel to the eventual shipping, was that we had to keep in mind that the amount of space of the packing house was limited. Närpes Grönsaker demanded a fully automated sorting and packing line for loose tomatoes, that had to be able to take care of 18 tons of tomatoes per hour. Such machines are usually built on newer locations, where space is not a limiting factor. However, due to clever solutions and a smart lay-out we managed to design a machine that will custom fit into the existing facility."
This labeling device prints a label on each box with all tracking and tracing information. All of this information is fully registered in a system that also takes care of providing the right information to the growers and customers. Each grower can see how much class 1, 2 or 3 products he shipped to the packing house.
Automatic evacuation of the filled boxes to the palletizing equipment.
Due to fairly dark days, Finnish greenhouse growers are commonly growing produce by the use of assimilation lights. Because Närpes Grönsaker is sorting tomatoes on a year-round schedule, Greefa also supplied a temporary machine during the weeks of the installation of the new sorting and packing line. "Our technical staff completed the construction of the installation in February of this year", said Klop proudly. "The machine is up and running as we speak, and thanks to built-in routers and two webcams we can fully control and monitor the system from our offices in the Netherlands. In case of any maintenance or technical interruptions, we can easily analyze and screen any malfunctioning and quickly continue the sorting process."
For more information:
Greefa
12, Langstraat
Tricht, The Netherlands
Tel (0345) 57 81 00
[email protected]
www.greefa.nl