Global Launch on a Digital Platform

In June, Tomra Sorting Recycling launched globally – via internet – the new generation technology “Autosort” and “Autosort Speedair”, and also outlined plans for the forthcoming launch of a third new solution.

“The ‘Symphony of all Sorts’ theme was chosen to reflect the way in which the latest generation Autosort and its complementary products create a perfectly harmonized symphony to sort all kinds of waste with advanced accuracy and sophistication,” the company explained. At the digital event, experts from across Tomra’s global teams delivered presentations about the latest products.

Based on the positive feedback received from professionals, the manufacturer anticipates high levels of interest in the most advanced model of its new generation system. “Compact, highly flexible and upgradable, Autosort brings together the very latest in Tomra’s technologies to deliver advanced accuracy of complex sorting tasks at high throughput rates.” The system could be easily integrated into any existing or new sorting processes, as a great number of initial pilot projects have confirmed.

According to the provider, the machine is “capable of separating materials, which are difficult or even impossible to separate using conventional technologies”. Incorporated as standard is the “Sharp Eye” technology: It increases the light efficiency while maintaining the same energy consumption, enhances sorting sharpness and improves the separation of difficult to target fractions. The unit also incorporates the latest and improved version of the manufacturer’s patented “Flying Beam” sensing technology, the provider informed. “Better light efficiency enables higher performance at low operating costs, compact design enables flexible and easy installation and enhanced light signal efficiency results in improved detection.”

Optional technologies include the new “Deep Laiser”. Its object recognition would enable a deeper sorting sharpness to improve the performance of the sorting process. “Another application area is the use of Artificial Intelligence via Deep Learning,” the company underlined and assured that the technique developed by Tomra is one of the first fully integrated Deep Learning systems on the market.

High-speed sorting with air
Delegates of Tomra’s digital launch event also found out about another new product. “Autosort Speedair” is an additional component to the “Autosort” range and is designed to stabilize light materials such as plastic films or paper on a high-speed conveyor, thus generating a higher throughput and enhancing sorting quality. The system incorporates speed-controlled fan-driven air inlets that generate a constant air stream over the conveyor belt to prevent material from moving. By doubling the speed of the conveyor belts up to six meters per second, “throughput is much higher and the output quality is consistently high”. Customers benefit from a better return on investment, as well as lower installation and running costs, Tomra underlined. “Additionally, as the first system on the market with no belt cover, access to the unit for maintenance is much faster and the likelihood of a material blockage is much lower compared to conventional high-speed systems in the market, as is the risk of machine downtime.”

With sorting and recycling plants demanding even higher levels of automation than ever before, Tomra will launch later its first robot, the “Autosort Cybot”. The system would comprise a new generation Autosort scanner, an electromagnetic sensor and a robot arm. “It is the first robot on the market that combines four technologies at once: Near Infrared (NIR) and Visible Light (VIS) spectroscopy, “Deep Laiser” and if required, induction for ferrous and non-ferrous metals recovery.” Prior to its official launch, material tests can be carried out at Tomra‘s Test Center to confirm its capabilities.

www.symphonyofallsorts.com/autosort

(GR22020, Page 38, Advertorial, Photo: TOMRA Sorting GmbH)