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Marking of products with fluorescent tracers in binary combinations for automatic identification and sorting

S. Rafi Ahmad (S. Rafi Ahmad is Head of the Centre for Applied Laser Spectroscopy, Cranfield University, RMCS, Shrivenham, Swindon, UK.)

Assembly Automation

ISSN: 0144-5154

Article publication date: 1 March 2000

875

Abstract

The technology for optical identification and automatic sorting of products marked with fluorescent materials in trace concentrations is described. A small number of such materials in binary combinations allows marking of a large number of products. The concept has been applied to sort custom‐made domestic plastic products of different types in a fast‐moving mixed stream. The performance of the optical sensor, developed on the basis of identifying fluorescence signatures of some selected markers in these products, has been tested in an industrial singulation and sorting system. Commercially viable sorting rate and purity of “sort” have been demonstrated. The concept is applicable to other industry sectors.

Keywords

Citation

Rafi Ahmad, S. (2000), "Marking of products with fluorescent tracers in binary combinations for automatic identification and sorting", Assembly Automation, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 58-65. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445150010311617

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited

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