Low cost real-time sorting of in-shell pistachio nuts from kernels

Abstract

A simple, low cost optical system and decision making circuitry for separating pistachio nuts with (in-shell) and without (kernels) shells is reported. Testing indicates 95% accuracy in removing kernels from the in- shell stream with no false positive results out of 1000 kernels tested. Testing with 1000 each of in- shell, shell halves, and kernels resulted in an overall error of about 3.3%.