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

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.