Silverware sorting and orienting system

Scope and method of study. This study investigates the sorting and orientation of silverware in commercial dishwashing applications. The purpose of this research was to investigate means to effectively sort and orient mixed silverware, piece by piece. The challenge was to efficiently lift silverware pieces off a magnetic conveyor, accurately sort them, and orient them into their respective collection bins. It was desired to have high accuracy, repeatability and reliability while operating at speeds to process at least 30 pieces per minute of mixed clean and unclean knives, spoons, forks and soupspoons.; Findings and conclusions. An efficient, accurate and reliable mechanism for sorting and orienting silverware has been designed, developed and tested. Lifting mechanisms powered by solenoids has been successfully incorporated to lift silverware off magnetic conveying blocks. An orienting mechanism powered by solenoids has also been incorporated to place differently oriented silverware in different collection bins. Software was developed for a PC to interface with an existing machine vision identification and inspection system, and send and receive controlling signals to the various components, employing a specially constructed power supply. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...