Next-gen AI cherry grading machine

AI-driven cherry 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, Elifab cherry grading machines powered by Ellips True-AI help packhouses meet customer requirements while improving profitability.

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

The grading process includes:

• Accurate singulation to ensure every cherry is individually assessed
• Rotating cups and 360° grading for full surface visibility
• Up to 30 high-resolution images per cherry
• 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 cherry 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.

Elifab cherry 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.

Yes, Ellips True-AI continuously improves by learning from new data, helping the grading system become more accurate and efficient over time.

The system is trained using:

• Real-world grading data
• Customer quality control expertise
• Different cherry varieties
• Multiple growing regions
• Data collected across seasons and conditions

By combining new data with its existing defect database, True-AI continuously refines its ability to recognize defects and optimize grading decisions. This ongoing learning process helps improve grading accuracy, consistency and long-term performance.

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

Elifab cherry 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 cherry and detects a wide range of external quality defects with exceptional accuracy.

Detectable defects and quality characteristics include: 

• Spur
• Rot
• Pitting
• Double
• Stem cracks
• Nose crack
• Stemless
• Scarring
• Rub marks
• Soft spots
• Splits
• Impact damage
• Thrip damage
• Bird/insect damage
• Fresh cracks
• Brown spot
• 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, the Ellips cherry grading software allows you to define and apply multiple quality classes based on your specific requirements.

For example, cherries can be sorted into:

• Class 1 (Premium)
• Class 2 (Minor defects)
• Class 3 (Processing)

The system is fully flexible, enabling you to customize grading standards for different markets, customers and applications.

This helps ensure each cherry is directed to the most appropriate market, maximizing value and maintaining consistent quality standards.

Elifab cherry grading machines typically process 600–700 kg per lane per hour (depending on average cherry weight), which translates to approximately 7.2–8.4 tons per hour on a 12-lane sorter.

Capacity can be scaled through multi-lane configurations to match the throughput needs of any packhouse operation.

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

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

Several customers have reported concrete results:

• Rivermaid (California, USA) invested in a 24-lane Elifab cherry grader powered by Ellips True-AI to increase capacity while reducing dependence on seasonal labor. The system processes more than 20 tons per hour without manual sorters, and Rivermaid reports that AI has significantly reduced the labor needed to operate its machines. Production Supervisor Hayden Gibson said the technology “kind of runs itself in terms of grading.”
• Lucaston Park Orchards (Tasmania, Australia) uses a 12-lane Elifab CherryClass system to limit rising labor costs and reduce the time operators spend adjusting grading parameters. True-AI has simplified sorting, reduced human input, and made the business less dependent on a full-time operator. Matthew Griggs observed that “the operator spent much less time finding stems,” resulting in valuable time and labor-cost savings.
• Hansen Orchards (Tasmania, Australia) adopted automation to remain competitive in a market with extremely high labor costs. Its Elifab grading operation achieves the required throughput within a single shift, reducing dependence on labor and avoiding expensive double shifts. Howard Hansen said the company is “more labor efficient,” while staff stationed around the automatic box fillers now spend only minimal time double-checking the machine’s work.

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

“In the past, processing large volumes of cherries with inconsistent quality meant slowing down to find defects. But with True-AI, we can keep high speeds while improving throughput, making our operation much more efficient.”

Javier Contesse | Allegria Foods

Yes. For most cherry 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 Elifab can provide a customized ROI calculation based on your volumes, labor situation and business goals.

The payback period depends on factors such as production volume, labor costs and the level of automation. In most cases, cherry 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 Elifab can calculate the expected return on investment based on your specific operation, volumes, labor situation and market requirements.

We follow a structured process to help you find the best solution for your operation and maximize your return on investment:

1. Discovery call – We discuss your goals, challenges, product characteristics and capacity requirements.
2. Reference visit – We share relevant customer cases and, if desired, arrange a visit to an existing customer installation.
3. Live demonstration – We test your own produce to show grading performance and results.
4. ROI analysis – We calculate the expected return on investment based on your situation.
5. Solution design – We develop a grading solution tailored to your operation.
6. Installation & training – Our specialists install the system and train your team to ensure a smooth start

This approach ensures you have a clear understanding of the technology, expected results and business impact before making a decision.

The Elifab machine with Ellips AI grading technology is widely used by cherry growers and packing companies around the world. More than 50 cherry sorting systems and over 550 lanes have been installed, supporting high-capacity cherry grading operations across different markets and conditions.

Customers include:

• Vidrio Fruits
• Rivermaid
• Hansen Orchards
• Lucaston Park Orchards
• Allegría Foods
• Río King
• Dobre Jablka
• Sun City Cherries
• Mansfields
• Coal Valley Orchard
• Dole
• Elita
• Collipulli Red Soil
• Telefrukt
• Jimmy’s
• Koala Cherries
• Medina & Co
• Poulis S.A.
• Sant’Orsola
• Wandin Valley Farms
• NobleFruit
• Riveridge Produce
• Polehn Farms
• Gebbers Farms
• Copefrut
• Youphoria
• Krazy Cherry Fruit Co.
• Castletonfarm
• Gibson Farms

…and many other cherry growers and packers worldwide.

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.

Yes, Ellips is a family-founded company with over 37 years of experience in grading technology. Founded by Erwin Bakker, the company is now shaped by the next generation, with his children Mitchel, Levi and Jody actively contributing to areas such as product development, customer relationships and user experience.

This combination of experience and new perspectives ensures continuous innovation in AI-powered grading solutions, while maintaining a strong focus on long-term partnerships, trust and practical solutions that work in daily operations

Elifab 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

This proactive approach helps minimize downtime, maximize throughput and keep your grading operation performing at its best year after year.

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 may take 2-4 weeks.

Each project is carefully planned by Elifab 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.

Yes, Ellips and Elifab grading systems are designed for long-term use and continuous improvement. Regular software updates enhance performance and introduce new capabilities over time.

The system is built around modular architecture, allowing you to upgrade components as technology evolves, including:

• Cameras
• Software
• AI grading capabilities
• Extra lanes for added capacity

For existing sorting machines, Ellips also offers retrofit solutions, enabling you to upgrade your current equipment with the latest grading technology without replacing the entire machine.

This helps protect your investment and ensures your operation remains competitive for years to come.

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 cherry 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
✅ Protect brand reputation

The result is full product traceability and greater control across your entire supply chain.