Our team has developed an affordable and precise optical sorter for green coffee beans using image classifiers and a Raspberry Pi 3 computer. This innovative solution provides small-scale coffee farmers and roasters with an efficient way to sort their beans, saving them time and maintaining the quality of their products. By using color sensors and filters, our machine accurately detects the color of each coffee cherry and sorts it accordingly, pushing aside unripened beans and ensuring that only high-quality beans make it through to the final stage of processing. Our optical sorter is not only applicable to coffee, but can also be adapted to sort other local agricultural products such as nuts, dates, fruits, and spices. With this new technology, we aim to improve the efficiency and quality of small-scale agriculture, supporting local communities and promoting sustainability.
As a member of the design team for the optical coffee sorter project, I played a critical role in developing the overall concept and ensuring its feasibility. I collaborated with my colleagues to identify the specific components and technologies needed to create a low-cost yet highly precise optical sorter. I also took part in creating the design of the machine's hopper, conveyor belt, color sensor, and gate actuators, ensuring that they functioned seamlessly together. Additionally, I was involved in testing and troubleshooting the system to ensure it met the project objectives. My contributions to the design and development of this innovative technology have helped to make high-quality coffee production more accessible and sustainable for small-scale farmers and roasters.
Working video of Color Sorter
Process Flow chart
3D Model of the Sorter
Assembly Draft Layout