Leading AI apple grading machine

AI-driven apple grading machines help growers and packers improve efficiency, reduce labor dependency and deliver more consistent quality.

Key benefits include:

✅ Reduced labor requirements
✅ Higher throughput and processing capacity
✅ More consistent quality grading
✅ Improved pack-out rates
✅ Reduced waste and customer claims
✅Reliable performance throughout the season

By combining advanced AI grading, gentle product handling and high-speed processing, Elisam apple grading machines powered by Ellips True-AI help packhouses meet customer requirements while improving profitability.

An Elisam apple grading machine, powered by Ellips True-AI, uses advanced cameras and deep learning algorithms to inspect and classify every apple in real time.

The grading process includes:

• Accurate singulation to ensure every apple is individually assessed
• Rotating cups and 360° grading for full surface visibility
• Up to 90 high-resolution images per apple
• Analysis of size, shape, color, weight, and external defects
• Internal quality inspection for hidden defects

The collected data is analyzed by True-AI, which classifies each apple according to the required quality standards and grading specifications. This enables growers and packers to achieve consistent grading results, maximize pack-out and deliver reliable quality. Batch after batch.

Elisam apple grading machines powered by Ellips True-AI are designed for simple day-to-day operation. The system automatically manages complex grading parameters, reducing the need for manual adjustments and operator input.

Benefits include:

✅ Easy-to-use operator interface
✅Automatic grading parameter management
✅ Fast product and grade changes
✅Reduced training requirements
✅ Consistent grading performance

When adjustments are needed, settings can be changed quickly and intuitively, allowing operators to maintain full control of the grading process.

As Sandy Masterson from Green Planet Apples explains:

“I’ve seen other packers hiring tech people just to run their software. We don’t need that. I could train someone on Ellips technology in just a few days. It’s efficient, reliable, and in a league of its own.”

Yes, Ellips grading technology can be integrated into your existing sorting machine through a retrofit solution. This allows you to upgrade to AI-powered grading without replacing your entire machine.

A typical retrofit includes:

• High-resolution camera technology
• New Ellips electronics and hardware
• TrueSort software
• True-AI grading technology

This improves grading accuracy, consistency and performance while reducing investment costs compared to purchasing a completely new sorting machine. Ellips has successfully retrofitted sorting machines worldwide, helping growers and packers extend the life of their existing equipment while benefiting from the latest grading technology.

As Sandy Masterson from Green Planet Apples puts it:
“If you’re looking to upgrade without replacing your whole grader, Ellips is the smartest retrofit option out there.”

In practice, defects in the final product are typically reduced to below 2%, while only a small percentage of good apples is removed during sorting.

Elisam apple grading machines equipped with Ellips True-AI deliver highly consistent and objective grading results. By eliminating subjective human judgment, the system reduces variability and minimizes grading errors, even at high processing speeds. As the system processes more data, True-AI continues to improve its ability to detect and classify defects accurately.

Ellips True-AI inspects the entire surface of every apple and detects a wide range of external quality defects with exceptional accuracy.

Detectable defects include:

• Sunburn
• Bruising
• Russet
• Calyx cracks
• Stem splits
• Bitter pit
• Frost damage
• Punctures
• Rot
• Hail damage
• And many more

With detection accuracy down to 0.2 mm, the system delivers consistent and objective grading results.
 

Benefits include:

✅ Reduced customer claims
✅Improved pack-out rates
✅ More consistent grading
✅ Reliable shipment quality
✅Stronger customer relationships

Yes, with Ellips light transmittance technology, the system can grade the internal quality of each apple and detect hidden defects such as internal browning, water core and other internal quality issues.

The Ellips Internal Quality system performs up to 20 high-speed internal scans per apple, virtually slicing the fruit to reveal defects that are not visible from the outside.

Benefits include:

✅ Detection of hidden internal defects
✅ Reduced customer claims
✅ Fewer rejected shipments
✅ Improved product consistency
✅Greater confidence in delivered quality

“Among all suppliers we evaluated, Ellips was the only one that consistently delivered the level of internal quality grading we needed.”

Joe Schwilke – Starr Ranch Growers

Elisam apple grading machines typically process 3 to 5 tons per hour per lane, depending on apple size and weight.

Capacity can be scaled through multi-lane configurations:

• 1 lane: 3-5 tons per hour
• 4 lanes: up to 20 tons per hour
• 8 lanes: up to 40 tons per hour

This high-capacity design helps packhouses handle peak volumes efficiently while maintaining consistent grading performance and meeting delivery deadlines.

“Elisam stood out for offering slightly higher grading capacity than competitors. Tight delivery windows used to be a challenge, but with Ellips’ AI-powered sorting, we now fulfill high-volume orders faster.”

Ulrich Braun | Elbe Obst

Labor savings depend on your operation, product mix and current grading process. By automating grading, an Elisam apple grading machine can significantly reduce the need for manual sorting and lower labor costs.

For example, Green Planet Apples reduced its manual grading team from up to eight people to just one operator using Ellips True-AI. The company also eliminated night shifts thanks to the increased speed and throughput of the automated grading system.

Benefits include:

✅ Lower labor costs
✅ Reduced dependence on seasonal workers
✅ Fewer night shifts
✅ Higher throughput
✅ More consistent grading results

Yes, Ellips True-AI enables full-speed grading regardless of fruit quality. The system maintains maximum processing speed while accurately detecting defects, even in mixed-quality batches.

Traditionally, batches with uneven fruit quality often required slower processing speeds to maintain grading accuracy. With True-AI, this is no longer necessary.

Benefits include:

✅ Maximum throughput
✅ Accurate defect detection
✅Consistent grading performance
✅Higher operational efficiency
✅More volume processed without compromising quality

Yes. For most apple growers and packers, an AI-powered grading machine pays for itself within a few seasons by reducing costs, increasing efficiency and improving fruit value.

Key value drivers include:

✅ Reduced labor costs
✅ Higher pack-out rates
✅ More consistent quality
✅ Increased throughput
✅ Lower waste and fewer claims

In addition to cost savings, AI grading helps maximize revenue by sorting fruit more accurately into higher-value categories.

The exact return depends on your operation. Ellips and Elisam can provide a customized ROI calculation based on your volumes, labor situation and business goals.

“The Elisam machine is very reliable. In fact, we have been able to double our capacity with this line. This apple grading technology is proving its worth every day and will start to generate structural profits within a few years”
Joe Schwilke – Starr Ranch Growers

The payback period depends on factors such as production volume, labor costs and the level of automation. In most cases, apple grading machines achieve a return on investment within a couple of years.

Typical savings come from:

✅ Reduced labor costs
✅ Higher pack-out rates
✅ Lower losses from waste and claims

By improving both efficiency and product quality, the system quickly contributes to a more profitable operation.

To provide a clear and realistic estimate, Ellips and Elisam can calculate the expected return on investment based on your specific operation, volumes, labor situation and market requirements.

Ellips brings more than 37 years of experience in grading technology, with over 3,500 grading solutions installed worldwide across 19 different fruit and vegetable types.

Together with Elisam and Elifab, the company supports a global installed base of more than 350 grading machines and 3,000 retrofit installations, helping growers and packers improve quality, efficiency and consistency.

As a family-founded company, Ellips combines proven technology with long-term customer relationships, delivering practical solutions backed by decades of industry expertise.

Ellips grading technology is widely used by apple growers and packing companies around the world. More than 500 apple sorting systems and over 1,900 lanes have been installed, supporting high-capacity apple grading operations across different markets and conditions.

Customers include:

• Starr Ranch Growers
• Elbe-Obst
• Obst Gössl
• Apple King of Washington
• Green Planet Apples
• Rockit
• Telefrukt
• Gebbers Farms
• Chelan Fruit
• Chelan Fresh
• Sky Fruit Trading
• Fruitteeltbedrijf A. en J.A. van Dijk
• Ralph’s Produce & Juice
• Oskam
• Lidder Farms
• Frutura
• 1st Flavor Growers & Packers
• Evrosad
• Bauman Orchards
• …and many other apple growers and packers worldwide.

Elisam and Ellips provide fast, expert support to keep your packhouse running efficiently throughout the season. Many issues can be resolved remotely by experienced engineers, while local service specialists are available when on-site assistance is required.

Operators receive comprehensive training to confidently manage grading, system settings and daily production.

To ensure long-term performance, we provide ongoing maintenance and support, including:

• Pre-season inspections and preparation
• In-season technical support
• Post-season performance reviews
• Software updates and system optimization

Installation time depends on the size of the system and the complexity of the packhouse. Smaller installations and retrofits can often be completed within days, while larger projects take 2-4 weeks.

Each project is carefully planned by Elisam and Ellips specialists to minimize disruption to your operation. From mechanical installation and software integration to testing and commissioning, experienced teams manage the entire process to ensure your grading system is up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“We have been extremely pleased with the entire project, including design, project management, installation, training and ongoing customer support. The overall project was excellent.”

Kip Yeates – Wada Farms

Yes, Ellips TrueSort provides real-time dashboards and built-in reporting tools, giving operators and management full visibility over grading performance.

Live dashboards track key metrics such as:

• Production status
• Defect rates
• Waste levels
• Packing performance by product or classification

This helps teams identify issues early, respond quickly and keep operations running efficiently. The system also includes built-in reports for products, classes, and packaging, which can be exported or integrated with tools such as Microsoft Power BI for deeper analysis and reporting.

By combining real-time monitoring with historical data, TrueSort helps you improve efficiency, reduce errors and continuously optimize performance.

Yes. Ellips TrueSort collects detailed grading data that helps you improve quality, efficiency and profitability over time.

You can use this data to:

✅ Compare growing techniques and production methods
✅ Evaluate field, supplier or grower performance
✅ Identify quality and yield trends across batches and seasons
✅ Reduce waste and improve consistency
✅ Support more informed operational and commercial decisions

With the optional Data Acquisition feature, grading data can also be combined with external sources such as weather, storage and logistics data to support:

1. Harvest planning
2. Demand forecasting
3. Quality prediction

By turning grading data into actionable insights, Ellips TrueSort helps you continuously optimize performance across your operation.

Ellips TrueSort tracks every apple from intake to final packaging, digitally linking each product to its grower, field and batch. This provides complete visibility throughout the grading and packing process, making it easy to trace products, verify quality and meet food safety requirements.

Traceability data also helps you:

✅ Support accurate grower payments
✅ Improve quality control
✅ Reduce food waste
✅ Respond quickly to recalls