Headwall And QualySense Collaborate On In-Line Hyperspectral Inspection For Precision Grain Sorting

Hyperspectral Sensors Provide Data-Rich Feedback for the Food Industry  

Headwall is pleased to announce the production of a new precision hyperspectral collaboration to be used in grain, seed and bean sorting by QualySense (Dübendorf Switzerland). The Hyperspec Extended VNIR sensors, which operate in the spectral range of 550-1650nm, will provide a higher level of precision during the analysis of seeds and grains.

The unique ability of Headwall's sensors to assess and inspect quality levels of seeds and grains based on spectral characteristics positions QualySense as an innovative leader in this important industry of crop science. Through collaboration with Headwall, the QualySense QSorter systems will be able to classify and sort grains based on nutrients and contamination levels. Waste will be minimized because hyperspectral sensing has the ability to eliminate only those seeds and grains that specific algorithms deem to be of poor quality. Foods made from those commodities will be more effectively processed, utilized, and priced based on quality parameters assessed during the high-throughput, hyperspectral inspection process.

David Bannon, Headwall CEO, noted how hyperspectral sensing is playing an innovative role in food quality and safety: "QualySense is a perfect example of how our technology can be used to deliver cost-effective innovation to processors of seeds and grains. With the QSorter instruments, quality can be determined more precisely than ever and in real time."

Dr. Francesco Dell'Endice, QualySense CEO, explained the key role that innovative technology can play. "Food producers need a highly resolved way of determining protein and oil content, color, size and other meaningful characteristics while increasing product consistency. Hyperspectral sensing represents a tremendous technical leap forward because it gives our customers a new view on quality. Headwall's Hyperspec sensor provides exceptional spectral and spatial imaging and does so with the processing power required for high-throughput food inspection."

About Headwall Photonics

Headwall Photonics is a leading designer and manufacturer of hyperspectral imaging spectrometers and spectral instrumentation for industrial, commercial, and government markets.  

Headwall's high performance Hyperspec family instruments have been selected by military/defense departments, OEMs, and end-user customers around the world for use in critical application environments. The Hyperspec Starter Kit is a fully integrated hyperspectral system that includes a hyperspectral sensor, all necessary control software, illumination, and moving stage.  

Headwall enjoys a market leadership position through the design and manufacture of spectral instrumentation that is customized for application-specific performance.

About QualySense

QualySense is the worldwide leader focused on delivering innovative, high-end sorting solutions to achieve optimal processing, quality, and safety of grains, seeds, and beans. It is the leader in the development of efficient, high-capacity technologies for analyzing and sorting grains, seeds, and beans according to biochemical and morphological traits. QualySense was founded in 2010 and has been awarded a number of prizes and grants. The company is rapidly growing and has lately received the Swissparks "Best Startup of 2012" award.