Technology and products

Five layers, one timing budget.

Every layer is specified against the others: a 2048 px camera at a 20 kHz line rate carries the FPGA algorithm and the ejection interface, a 12T / 48T edge box runs inference for four or eight cameras, valve boards switch at 0.3 / 0.2 ms, and the training platform keeps models current.

Machine vision camera module in close-up
01

CMOS HD Industrial Cameras

2048 pixels, 20 kHz line rate, FPGA inside.

Line scan camera sensor board with connectors

A line scan camera with the vision algorithm on the FPGA and the ejection interface on the board. Two Gigabit Ethernet ports carry the image and the valve command, so a defect decision never leaves the imaging chain.

  • CMOS sensor at 2048 px resolution with a 14 µm pixel pitch
  • 20 kHz line rate for full-width streams on a colour sorter
  • FPGA-integrated vision algorithms: colour, Mono, colour difference and intelligent SVM
  • Two Gigabit Ethernet ports, ejection valve interface integrated on the camera board
  • Domestic core components, NIR ready, custom HD lenses for tighter imaging
  • Deep learning extension once the camera is connected to an AI edge box
SensorCMOS, core components sourced domestically
Resolution2048 px
Pixel pitch14 µm
Line rate20 kHz
Interface2 × Gigabit Ethernet
On-board logicFPGA vision algorithms + ejection interface
Sorting modesColour / Mono / Colour difference / SVM
SpectralVisible, NIR capable
OpticsCustom HD lens matching
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02

AI Edge Computing Box

12T / 48T compute, <1 ms image inference.

Industrial edge computing box with Gigabit network ports

An embedded Linux box built for the sorter cabinet: 8-core ARM CPU, 5 or 9 network ports and enough compute for four or eight cameras. Deep learning runs on the machine, without an external GPU server.

  • 12T and 48T compute tiers for different machine widths
  • 8-core ARM CPU on an embedded Linux platform
  • 4 or 8 cameras computing on a single box at the same time
  • 5-port and 9-port Gigabit configurations for cabinet layout
  • Image inference latency down to <1 ms
  • Lower cost per channel than a separate industrial PC plus GPU
Compute tiers12T / 48T
CPU8-core ARM
Operating systemEmbedded Linux
Camera channels4 / 8
Network ports5 / 9 Gigabit
Inference latency<1 ms (image inference)
WorkloadDeep learning sorting at the edge
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03

Valve Boards & Ejection Strategy

0.3 ms open, 0.2 ms close, tuned to the board.

Aluminium ejection valve manifold for an optical sorter

Valve boards developed for the colour sorter industry, paired with ejection strategy algorithms. Hardware driving changes shorten the open and close timing, which is where Purity Ratio and carry-over are decided.

  • Custom valve boards for colour sorter platforms
  • Valve open at 0.3 ms and valve close at 0.2 ms
  • Ejection strategy algorithms developed together with the board
  • Designed for 8+ years of continuous operation
  • Ejection timing tuned against Purity Ratio and the good:bad ratio
  • Compatible with SMC, MATRIX and MAC valves already used in the industry
Valve open0.3 ms
Valve close0.2 ms
Valve compatibilitySMC / MATRIX / MAC and other mainstream valves
Design target8+ years continuous running
Sorting impactHigher Purity Ratio, lower good:bad ratio
StrategyCustom ejection algorithms
IntegrationBoard, valve and firmware supplied as one set
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04

Industrial Panel PC & IoT

Linux HMI from -20 °C to 70 °C.

Industrial touchscreen panel PC mounted on a sorting machine

An ARM-based industrial panel PC running the Linux HMI, with a custom GUI control set for sorter operators. One-click operation on the machine, remote control, monitoring and upgrades from the service side.

  • Linux human machine interface with custom GUI controls
  • Industrial thermal range of -20 °C to 70 °C
  • ARM architecture for lower power draw
  • 10-inch and 15-inch touch panels
  • Two Gigabit Ethernet ports for camera and plant network
  • One-click smart operation, remote control, monitoring and upgrading over IoT
PlatformLinux on ARM
Temperature range-20 °C to 70 °C
Screen sizes10" / 15" touch panels
Network2 × Gigabit Ethernet
PowerLow consumption ARM design
OperationOne-click smart mode with custom GUI
ServiceRemote control, monitoring and upgrade
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05

Deep Learning Training Platform

Submit samples, train, download the model.

Workstation showing a deep learning image dataset during training

An image annotation and training platform built in-house. A user uploads sample data, trains on the platform and downloads the model for the edge box, so a material change does not wait on an external algorithm team.

  • Image annotation workflow for sorting samples
  • Training runs on the platform after samples are submitted
  • Trained model downloaded and deployed to the edge box
  • Training method work keeps accuracy while inference latency stays low
  • Model updates follow material and seasonal changes
  • No external GPU cluster needed in the customer plant
InputAnnotated image samples
WorkflowAnnotate → submit → train → download
DeploymentModel loaded onto the AI edge box
FocusAccuracy retained, inference latency kept low
OwnershipPlatform developed and maintained in-house
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Custom imaging

From visible light to X-ray

The camera platform extends beyond visible light. Select a spectral path to see the material problems it is built to separate.

Visible

Colour, chalk and shape defects

Colour, Mono and colour-difference modes on the in-house camera handle surface colour, chalky kernels and shape outliers at a 20 kHz line rate.

Engineering support beyond the electronics

Mechanical design capability and supply chain resources help customers take a drawing through sheet metal production and component procurement, so a new sorter does not stall between the electronics and the frame.

  • Mechanical design support for sorter frames and enclosures
  • Sheet metal production from reviewed drawing to batch
  • Supply chain procurement for valves, optics and structural parts
  • Camera, light and valve placement reviewed with the mechanical layout
Sheet metal fabrication workshop with folded steel parts

Have a sorting challenge? Let's scope it.

Send a sample description and the machine constraints. We will tell you which imaging path can separate the defect before any hardware is committed.