2. Aweta®, a trendsetter in technology of sorting fruit and vegetables by external
qualities, is now setting the pace for internal quality sorting. It is well accepted in the
industry that the internal characteristics of a piece of fruit ultimately drives consumer
satisfaction. Therefore a simple “good or bad” classification is not sufficient. A variable
scale to satisfy consumer preferences is needed.
AFS Acoustic Firmness Sensor
The Aweta Acoustic Firmness Sensor (AFS) is the latest innovative technology
for on line non-destructive measurement of firmness and related characteristics.
Its excellent results are due to its ability to use acoustic signals that give an indication
of the firmness of the product as a whole, rather than only a small part.
How does the Acoustic Firmness Sensor work?
The Aweta AFS gently taps the product and “listens” to the acoustic response.
The acoustic signal is analyzed and the ripeness and other quality aspects of the
product are determined. In this way it measures the vibration pattern of the entire
product. This pattern (resonance attenuated vibration) is characteristic of the overall
firmness, juice content, freshness and the internal structure of the product.
FI: Firmness index
The signals are analyzed and translated into a firmness index (FI). The FI will be high
in fresh and juicy fruit and low in soft and ripe fruit. The FI gives a more accurate,
reliable, and consistent result, when compared to other destructive and non-destructive
methods, and is more in line with consumer preferences.
Destructive firmness tests (like the penetrometer) measure different properties than
non-destructive tests like AFS, therefore there is not always a good correlation
between these methods.
More effective than other methods
The Aweta AFS gives consistent readings of the internal quality of a piece of
fruit, such as breakdown and dehydration, regardless of where the measurement
has been taken. Other methods may only take localized measurement and not
give a true overall reading of the internal quality of the product. To get a
firmness value of the product as a whole, some of these other methods must take
the calculated average of multiple separate measurements. These separate
measurements may vary, depending on where they are taken, and give
inconsistent and contradictory results.
Technical specifications
Fruit presentation to the system singulated, rotating, unsorted
Fruit rotation relative to translation 60%-100% (best)
Fruit shape more or less spherical
Fruit quality rotten fruit removed
Fruit size range e.g. 50-130 mm
Speed range 1 to 6 fruits per second
Maximum fruit diameter variation for good 60 mm
measurements at 6 fruits per second
Required extra singulator length 750 mm
Online correlation to AFS desktop >95%
(verification possibility)
Also available: AFS desktop version
The advantages:
- Non destructive
- Fast
- Easy to use
- Simple data processing
- Portable (power from laptop)
W O R L D O F S O R T I N G T E C H N O L O G Y
Other methodsAcoustic
AFS Acoustic Firmness Sensor
3. Aweta®, a trendsetter in technology of sorting fruit and vegetables by external
qualities, is now setting the pace for internal quality sorting. It is well accepted in the
industry that the internal characteristics of a piece of fruit ultimately drives consumer
satisfaction. Therefore a simple “good or bad” classification is not sufficient. A variable
scale to satisfy consumer preferences is needed.
AFS Acoustic Firmness Sensor
The Aweta Acoustic Firmness Sensor (AFS) is the latest innovative technology
for on line non-destructive measurement of firmness and related characteristics.
Its excellent results are due to its ability to use acoustic signals that give an indication
of the firmness of the product as a whole, rather than only a small part.
How does the Acoustic Firmness Sensor work?
The Aweta AFS gently taps the product and “listens” to the acoustic response.
The acoustic signal is analyzed and the ripeness and other quality aspects of the
product are determined. In this way it measures the vibration pattern of the entire
product. This pattern (resonance attenuated vibration) is characteristic of the overall
firmness, juice content, freshness and the internal structure of the product.
FI: Firmness index
The signals are analyzed and translated into a firmness index (FI). The FI will be high
in fresh and juicy fruit and low in soft and ripe fruit. The FI gives a more accurate,
reliable, and consistent result, when compared to other destructive and non-destructive
methods, and is more in line with consumer preferences.
Destructive firmness tests (like the penetrometer) measure different properties than
non-destructive tests like AFS, therefore there is not always a good correlation
between these methods.
More effective than other methods
The Aweta AFS gives consistent readings of the internal quality of a piece of
fruit, such as breakdown and dehydration, regardless of where the measurement
has been taken. Other methods may only take localized measurement and not
give a true overall reading of the internal quality of the product. To get a
firmness value of the product as a whole, some of these other methods must take
the calculated average of multiple separate measurements. These separate
measurements may vary, depending on where they are taken, and give
inconsistent and contradictory results.
Technical specifications
Fruit presentation to the system singulated, rotating, unsorted
Fruit rotation relative to translation 60%-100% (best)
Fruit shape more or less spherical
Fruit quality rotten fruit removed
Fruit size range e.g. 50-130 mm
Speed range 1 to 6 fruits per second
Maximum fruit diameter variation for good 60 mm
measurements at 6 fruits per second
Required extra singulator length 750 mm
Online correlation to AFS desktop >95%
(verification possibility)
Also available: AFS desktop version
The advantages:
- Non destructive
- Fast
- Easy to use
- Simple data processing
- Portable (power from laptop)
W O R L D O F S O R T I N G T E C H N O L O G Y
Other methodsAcoustic
AFS Acoustic Firmness Sensor
