MACHINE FOR LASER REMOVAL OF SPINES FROM PRICKLY PEARS

摘要

The invention relates to a machine designed to remove the spines from the green prickly pear (Opuntia ficus -indica) by means of the use of selective laser ablation techniques, which is characterized in that it comprises a laser guide system constituted by optical elements and a laser head that produces the laser beam for spine removal, said beam reaching the zone of incidence by means of the guide system and the scanning system; the latter is regulated by means of a system for detecting the position of the spines and a control system that has the dual purpose of halting the laser until the spine has been completely removed and issuing the order to continue the sweep until the next spine is detected, and reiterating the process, and also has a nozzle for extracting discarded spines in the form of a powder.