Efficient Egg Sorting Machine
Efficient Egg Sorting Machine
The number of eggs we eat on average per year has been increasing for ten years. As a result, global egg production continues to increase significantly. One of the challenges in the egg production process is the sorting of the eggs. Previously this was done manually, but now there are machines for this. For organizations, an egg grading machine that can be programmed to their own needs is a welcome solution. From Engineero, we worked on a new type of sorting machine that enables customers to make changes to current production.
This technical issue came from an organization that develops and produces egg grading machines for customers worldwide. With various total automation solutions, they make the egg grading production process of customers as efficient as possible. However, many customers felt the need to be able to make changes to current production. That is why the desire arose to also develop input options within the total solution via a dashboard on the machines.
“The size of the sorting machines makes them popular. To stay ahead of the competition and increase market share, we look at customer needs to optimize the machines where possible. In the questions that came from customers, I contributed ideas for a total solution.” - Kwan Kwan Tang
Technical issue
Sorting eggs sounds simple, but is very complex. Before an egg ends up in the correct box, that egg passes through several stages. The color, the degree of soiling, any cracks and the size of the egg are examined. There are also differences in legislation and regulations. For example, eggs are not allowed to be cleaned in Europe, but in America it is. Every egg in Europe must also be fully traceable. The configuration of a machine is therefore custom made. To enable customers to monitor the entire production process, we have linked external ERP systems and a production control system to the machines. Customers see the data via a dashboard and can make changes to the program of the current production. For example, the number of boxes of six eggs of size M, whether the code of origin or the date should be on the egg and whether or not it should be washed. The setting depends on the requirements and also on the wishes of the customer.
Engineering expertise
Engineero was called in for this technical issue to further optimize the total solution of the machines and to further develop the back-end of the interface. The first step in this was to find out the necessary optimizations based on customer feedback. With insight into the needs of customers, the development process has been improved and features have been implemented to make the egg grading production process more efficient. A user interface has been developed from the vision-check system and the PLC to enable customers to change the current program. This gives customers more control over production and reduces surpluses.
“I was not familiar with the egg grading process beforehand and thought it was relatively simple. But it is a complex story. The various systems within the production process such as Vision, ERP and the PLC make it a challenging project.” - Kwan Kwan Tang
Engineering projects
Our engineers work on technical issues and challenges in various markets. Each market requires a different expertise. Our technical specialists therefore use their knowledge and skills to provide challenging issues with the right answers. In order to find solutions together with our customers that make people's lives easier.
Efficient Egg Sorting Machine
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