Last month, at the IFTF, 4More Technology presented its newest sorting machine: the IRISS Universal Sorting Machine. Many visitors immediately noticed: "That machine looks familiar…" And they were right. For the production of this sorting machine—designed for sorting many different types of cut crops—4MT has partnered with BRM-Tec. Owner Bas Raemaekers is a former employee of Jamafa Machinery. This is how the IRISS Universal Sorter came to be: a machine that combines the proven technology of the former Jamafa length sorter with 4MT's advanced IRISS vision system.
4MT: "In the market, we encountered many old length sorters that, even after decades, are still running. Indestructible machines that require little maintenance, but due to outdated camera technology, no longer meet the strict quality standards that customers nowadays expect from growers. That, combined with rising labor costs and the increasing difficulty of finding qualified staff, led us to the idea of developing the IRISS Universal Sorter."
However, the old machine has been adapted into a more flexible design. Instead of a fixed configuration, the machine is now built modularly. Bas: "We went back to the drawing board and redesigned the entire machine from scratch. This time, in separate components, so the customer isn't tied to a fixed machine length. You can start, for example, with 9 sorting exits and later expand in increments of 3. The number of feeding tables can also be expanded later. This allows growers to start with a smaller investment or extend the machine as their business grows."
© 4More Technology
The IRISS Universal Sorting Machine is available with narrow and wide bins. Depending on the bin size, the machine can operate at speeds of approximately 5,000–10,000 bins per hour. The appropriate bin width depends on the crop. During a crop change, growers can easily swap the bins themselves. This means the machine can be used for many types of cut crops, such as spray roses, cut roses, sunflowers, viburnum, snowberries, ilex, delphinium, green trick, rose hips, and many others.
The advanced IRISS vision system can sort based on many different characteristics, including stem length and thickness, stem curvature, flower dimensions, color, ripeness, and flower or berry composition. Damage and diseases can also be detected. Additionally, IRISS stores data from every flower, giving growers valuable insight into their crop. The software is easy to use, and sorting programs can be set and adjusted by the grower themselves. Switching between programs takes only a few clicks, so changing between varieties or crops requires almost no time. For growers who want to sort only by length, the machine is also available as a traditional length sorter. For those who already have an older sorter, refurbishment options can be explored.
The low-maintenance design and ease of use also make the machine suitable for use abroad. 4MT: "All of our machines are equipped with an internet connection, allowing us to monitor the software remotely at any time and resolve most questions or issues over the phone. By adding extra cameras, we can even visually check the machine's operation, enabling us to help customers even faster in case of downtime."
For more information:
4MT
Nijverheidstraat 10 
2751 GR Moerkapelle
The Netherlands
Tel: +31(0)795932121
Email: [email protected]
www.4mt.nl
Bas Raemaekers
BRM-Tec Bv 
Tel: +31(0)658863407
[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/company/brm-tec-bv
