Every year at the Fruit Logistica fair, Hall 4.1 of Messe Berlin is dedicated entirely to machines. This year, MAF RODA Agrobotic presented numerous highly innovative calibrators, among which are the new Berryway for blueberry calibration and Cherryway 4 for cherry. The two exposed gauges were equipped with all the latest versions of the Berryscan and Cherryscan quality external classification electronic systems.

"Each of the graders is equipped with virtually identical external quality electronic classification systems," explained Vicente Requena, from MAF RODA Agrobotic. “Each line has its own cameras. Each camera works with many different wavelengths in the infrared and visible spectrum. The combination of these different spectral information and the high resolution of the cameras offers greater precision, especially in the detection of the size of the fruits and the analysis of external defects and the color of the fruits." Vicente adds that the Insight system associated with Berryscan makes it possible to control the internal quality of the fruit in an innovative way, also analyzing the level of sugar (Brix degree) of the blueberries.

On the left, the Cherryway 4 calibrator, with its Cherryscan electronic classification module. On the right, the Berryway calibrator and the Berryscan module.

Numerous possible combinations
These calibrators are able to use the results of the sensor set to classify fruits in various categories. In addition to the external quality of the fruits (checking for defects), the two machines also examine their diameter, color and shape, as well as the internal quality. All aspects of control can be combined based on customer requirements and criteria.

The Pomone 125 calibrator, with the different sensors for the electronic classification, and with Insight for the control of the rate of sugar (Brix), of the acidity, dry matter and maturation

Rotation system adapted to cherry
The Cherryway calibrator is equipped with a rotation system adapted to the cherry, thanks to its Cherryscan optical classification. This rotation system allows scanning 100% of the surface of the cherries.

Cherryway Calibrator Results

MAF RODA Agrobotic also presented several packaging robots, such as the packaging machine for the packaging of apples in recyclable trays. This automatic packaging equipment responds to the growing demand for environmentally responsible packaging. The system allows you to pack the fruits in cardboard boxes by placing a cold sealed paper strip. The tension of the band can be adjusted according to the number of packaged fruits and the boat, adapted for 4, 6 or 8 fruits.

4, 6 or 8 apples per boat: everything is possible

Uniform trays
The Fast Pack is another packaging robot intended for pre-packaged apples. The robot creates trays as uniform as possible, placing the face with more color up and the axes of the fruits in the same direction. A Fast Pack has already been installed for a customer from Great Britain.

Robot rear view

The trays that come out are as uniform as possible

The fifth machine presented by MAF RODA Agrobotic is the Pomone 125 calibrator: a calibrator for several fruits that classifies them according to the caliber and external quality analyzed by Globalscan 7, and the internal quality, measured with Insight, for ripening, dry matter and sugar rate (Brix grade). The machine can work with peppers, long pears, mangoes, onions and large avocados and other large products. In addition, a robot has just been installed for the calibration of kiwifruit in New Zealand. One of the objectives of this robot is to reduce the handling of fruits by hand, thus ensuring the integrity of the product to the maximum.

"This edition of Fruit Logistica 2020 came after completing a year 2019 that has been very fruitful for the MAF RODA group, with the worldwide development of structures and industrial means of many of our subsidiaries," said Philippe Blanc, founder of the group. MAF RODA. “In South Africa, with the transfer of a new 530 m² building from MAF RODA RSA, in Spain in Lleida with the integration of a new 18.000 m² factory for the Cedis MAFRUT teams; in China with MAF RODA Machinery Yantai, which went from a 3.000 m² structure to industrial facilities of more than 10.000 m², and finally, with our Chilean subsidiary MAF Chile, which has integrated new facilities in Santiago de Chile. These achievements serve to better respond to growing market demand, to offer after-sales service and greater proximity to our customers around the world.”

The Blanc family, owner of the MAF RODA company, with (from left to right): Stéphane Blanc (president and CEO of MAF Agrobotic - France), Thomas Blanc (CEO of MAF SA - France), Christophe Blanc (CEO of RODA IBERICA - Spain), Cyril Blanc (director of the electronic service of MAF Agrobotic - France), Philippe Blanc (founder of the MAF RODA group) and Fabrice Blanc (general director of MAF RODA RSA - South Africa and commercial director of exports of MAF Agrobotic - France)