The TOMRA 5A, a machine for the potato processing business, supports processors by combining a straightforward and brand-new graphical user interface with stable sorting performance, while increasing the level of food safety and quality with minimal product waste.
With food safety and quality being a top priority for consumers and processors alike, this innovative machine goes the extra mile to achieve optimum performance with the new peel control module, an extra add-on system. The TOMRA 5A also boasts the industry’s highest sort capacity, namely 55 tons of potatoes an hour, which is a very high capacity combined with a small footprint.
The peel control module, which can connect to multiple sorting machines, takes potato data from the TOMRA 5A sorter for dependable measurements of the peel removal levels. Using proven process control techniques to achieve the desired peel removal, the optimal steam time is then calculated and sent directly to the steam peeler. Consequently, the result is lower peel loss and less food waste, with no operator supervision required.
The TOMRA 5A ensures superior foreign material removal, effectively discarding items such as corn cobs, wood, stems, plastics, glass and even stray golf balls. This process minimizes the risk of food contamination further down the line and leads to improved product quality.
The sorter also has improved sanitation features which have been designed and developed in accordance with the latest food hygiene standards and specifications.
Furthermore, the TOMRA 5A has unrivaled potato quality sorting controls. This provides processors with the opportunity to recover product which is not good enough to accept, but at the same time not bad enough to send to waste. The leftover product can be sent to re-peel or trimming lines. It can even be made into alternative end products, such as potato flakes.
Moreover, the TOMRA 5A has an intuitive, unique and functional graphical user interface design, which makes it convenient to use for all operators. TOMRA ACT, the brand-new graphical user interface, encompasses a one screen layout so users can see all critical sort information and real-time sorting data at a glance. Quick monitoring and fast adjustments are possible at all times, which means the customer is always in control and can easily optimize the sort themselves.
The interface is dynamic, responsive and easy to use, resulting in a sharper learning curve and quicker training to proficiency for operators. Jim Frost, marketing unit manager, comments: “A faster response to varying product conditions, with an output of more consistent product quality and higher yields, is now possible, regardless of who is operating the TOMRA 5A. There is no longer a need for a specialist to operate and adjust the sorter.”
Furthermore, the TOMRA 5A contains onboard 24 hours of sorting statistics, which makes it possible to review all data within an operator-specified time window. The on-screen display of potato quality data and size distribution is quick to access, with easy-to-read graphic displays of production for all or part of the day. Detailed product data is also available.
Lastly, another new feature of the sorting machine is the self-monitoring capability; the system will alert the plant of detected issues affecting the sorter’s operation and performance.
