SCRAP SORTING SYSTEM

摘要

A system for sorting scrap particles based upon color includes an opaque belt conveyor (22) for conveying randomly shaped and orientation scrap particles through a viewing area (24) in which a series of images are detected by an image detector (26). A position sensor (30) determines the linear advancement of the scrap particles and transmits signals to an image detector controller (32), which periodically emits a control signal to an image processor (34) to acquire an image of the viewing area (126) and to divide the image into a matrix of cells (128) whether the pixels satisfy a predetermined criteria, and establishing a discriminator signal for each cell. A separator controller (36) which receives the discriminator signals selectively activates the appropriate portion of a separator (38) to separate desired from undesired particles. The system also includes a wetting device (41) upstream from the viewing area (24) to spray liquid onto the surface of the conveyor (22) to create a darkened, more uniform surface as the background.