The GearStation, the smart workstation from Gearbox in Maasdijk (Westland), is now also available for tomatoes in the familiar '5 kg box'. Whereas the GearStation was previously used for punnet and empty container inspection, it is now also available for filled boxes and crates. This means that 30×40 and 60×40 cm end packaging containing, for example, vine tomatoes can now also be checked. Boxes that are of the correct weight and desired quality can be palletised immediately without human inspection.
How the GearStation works
The GearStation uses the latest camera technology and AI algorithms to ensure 100% quality inspection. This prevents the wrong product from ending up with the customer immediately after harvesting and processing. The GearStation is placed in-line between the existing processing line. The customer determines the quality standard for the assessment themselves via the user-friendly interface, where each quality characteristic can be set separately.
The reports clearly show the quality of each tomato assessed. The dashboards provide new insights, and because the location where the product was harvested in the greenhouse is known, the data can also be used to generate cultivation-related insights.
The advantages
Labour savings through direct palletising
Consistent and objective assessment
Reduction in claims
Comprehensive harvest and quality reports
Can be integrated into new and existing processing lines
Promising results
“We have been able to install our GearStation at several customers this year. It is great to see that this new version can save even more labour in addition to quality inspection,” says Ab van Staalduinen, Sales Manager at Gearbox.
In addition to the possibility of direct palletising, the GearStation contributes to a consistent and objective quality assessment of the harvest worker in the greenhouse. "All boxes coming out of the greenhouse are inspected and weighed individually." By linking to the labour registration system, individual performance can be monitored and rewarded. "Not only does this create peace of mind in the greenhouse through objective management, but every improvement in the greenhouse also leads to less work when weighing in the shed. So it's a win-win situation."
