Flikweert Vision Introduces New Generation QualityGrader for Advanced Potato Optical Sorting

Over the past few years, the QualityGrader has become a widely trusted solution for the optical quality control of potatoes and onions. With hundreds of machines operating daily at growers, packers and processors worldwide, every installation has contributed to valuable practical knowledge — not only about optical sorting technology, but also about customer processes, changing requirements and opportunities for improvement.

This real-world experience has formed the foundation for the further development of the QualityGrader.

Building on Proven Experience

The evolution of the QualityGrader is not the result of limitations in the existing system, but the ambition to further strengthen a proven solution. By combining insights from customers, service engineers, dealers and the internal team, several aspects of the machine have been refined.

The updated design offers improved accessibility for maintenance and cleaning, while technical components have been further optimised. The machine has also been standardised to ensure more consistent production and to further guarantee the quality of every unit delivered. 

The result is a machine that builds on a successful concept while meeting the demands of today and tomorrow.

According to the company, the further development did not arise from a shortcoming, but from the ambition to build further on what works well.

Greater Flexibility Within One Platform

A major step forward in the new generation QualityGrader is the expansion of its capabilities. While the first generation was developed for a specific application, the latest version provides greater flexibility for a wider range of sorting requirements. 

The machine is now available in both 1-metre and 1.5-metre versions, enabling efficient processing of product flows up to 30 tonnes per hour.

The QualityGrader can also be equipped with a dual ejection unit, allowing multiple product streams to be managed within a single machine. This provides greater flexibility on production lines and supports new sorting applications. 

With these developments, the QualityGrader continues to respond to the increasing demand for capacity, flexibility and automation.

Designed for Growing Support Needs

Alongside machine development, service and support have become increasingly important. As the number of installations worldwide continues to grow, the need for fast and effective support is also increasing. 

Serviceability and remote support have therefore been key considerations in the new generation QualityGrader. The updated machine enables improved remote diagnostics, allowing questions and technical issues to be analysed and resolved more efficiently. 

This helps customers reduce downtime while enabling the service organisation to support a growing global customer base.

The Next Step in Optical Sorting

The potato and onion sectors are evolving rapidly. Labour availability is becoming more challenging, quality expectations are increasing, and production processes are becoming more automated. 

Optical sorting is playing an increasingly important role in this transformation — not only as an alternative to manual quality control, but as a way to create smarter, more consistent and more efficient processes. 

The further developed QualityGrader has evolved into a scalable AI sorting platform, designed for new applications, future expansions and continued software development.

Developed for Practice, Ready for the Future

The new QualityGrader represents everything learned from years of practical experience: hundreds of machines in operation, thousands of operating hours and continuous collaboration with customers. 

It is not a completely new direction, but a logical next step — developed for real-world use and ready for the future of optical sorting.