University of South Australia researchers develop the world's first almond grading machine

University of South Australia researchers say they have developed a world-first automated machine that can simultaneously grade almonds and detect potentially serious contaminants in kernels. Australia's almond crop is now was worth around $1 billion and is tipped to grow to $1.5 billion in coming years. The local industry is exporting to more than 50 nations which has increased the need for accurate and consistent grading of almonds to protect markets. Almonds have traditionally been graded manually with samples taken hourly from production lines to check for consistency of appearance, chips and scratches, double kernels, insect and mould damage and other defects. This process is labour intensive, slow and subjective, all of which can lead to inaccurate and inconsistent grading, particularly from season to season due to staff turnover. In conjunction with industry partner SureNut, researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a machine that significantly ...