KERNEL HANDLING PERFORMANCE OF AN AUTOMATIC GRAIN QUALITY INSPECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

An automatic kernel handling system, consisting of an automatic inspection machine and an imageprocessingunit, was developed for machine vision inspection of grain quality. The system could continually present matrixpositionedgrain kernels to CCD cameras, singularize each kernel image from the background, and discharge kernels to assignedcontainers. The inspection machine had scattering and positioning devices, a photographing station, a parallel dischargingdevice, and a continuous conveyer belt with carrying holes for the grain kernels. The imageprocessing unit and theinspection machine were designed to work concurrently to provide high throughput of individual kernel images. The completesystem was tested using rice, wheat, Jobstear, and sorghum. Results indicated that the system could consecutively provideclear kernel images for highspeed quality inspection. The average fill ratio of the carrying holes was approximately 90%.The parallel discharging device sorted grain kernels into the proper containers with an average accuracy over 99%. Thesystem could process grain kernels at speeds of up to 1899 kernels per minute with one camera and 1296 kernels per minutewith two cameras.