What do you mean by Grading?

Grading means the classification of hides into categories by customer-defined selection criteria. Grading may be based on measurements obtained automatically (such as area, thickness, shape, and weight), or on manual appraisal by a human operator, or on a combination of both.

What are the grading options?

BlueWare offers two different options for grading. The selection process can either be fully automatic or operator-based. In both cases, hides can be sorted according to the assigned grades using the pallet sorting module (PALSO). In addition, hides can be marked with grading information using ink stamp units (see options).

What if we prefer to grade manually?

Manual grading can be done with the software module for in-line classification (CLASS). A robust selection unit based on a compact and low power industrial PC with 15" TFT display and a touch screen developed for harshest environments lets you choose the classification and multiple attributes for the hides running through the machine. During production the classification panel displays useful information to the operator for each upcoming hide. These include:

• measured area value (if sides are produced the individual area values are shown as well)
• graphical thickness range for each wheel (min/max/mean)
• textual thickness mean value for each wheel
• hide image showing shape and thicknesses

How does manual grading work?

The operator classifies the hide by pressing buttons on a touch screen. This information can be used for controlling a sorting line and is stored along with the hide data in the BlueWare System. Possible classification criteria are:

• Grade (uniquely selected from predefined values). If halves are produced, both grades have to be entered separately.
• Attributes (multiple choice from predefined values like blood stains, scratches, barbed wire scratches, brands, butcher marks etc.). Always associated with the whole hide, even if sides are created.

The user interface can be adjusted to customers needs.

Can the hides be stacked?

This Pallet Sorting Module (PALSO) enables sorting of the hides by area or thickness onto pallets, either manually or by using an automatic stacker. The pallet sorting module is controlled by the grading information made available through the CLASS or CLASSX modules. This information is forwarded to the sorting control unit, which carries out hide sorting automatically.

What if we have our own methods of grading?

PALSO allows for customer-specific grading and selection criteria. We are able offer custom-programming services for the implementation of custom sorting (offer depends on exact specifications).