Orange AI grading machine

Leading AI orange grading machine

Turn every orange harvest into maximum value
  • Maximize throughput to hit volume targets and meet tight delivery deadlines
  • Reduce labor dependency with fully automated, hands-free sorting
  • Deliver consistent, premium-grade quality that command better prices

Talk to our orange specialist   Download brochure

 

Elisam Orange grading machine
powered by Ellips AI technology

AI grading keeps Agrofrut’s citrus quality consistent at 40+ tons/hour

Orange grading machine:
This is how you unlock the full potential of every harvest.

Do you want to increase your grading capacity while tackling challenges like labor shortages and inconsistent quality? This AI-powered orange grading machine delivers consistent results, while achieving the highest throughput per sorting lane. You stay in full control, protecting your quality standards and boosting your profits, season after season.

Maximize throughput with less labor


Every orange counts, every single minute of grading is important. It’s why the Elisam AI orange grading machine is build for speed and exceptional capacity. Such huge throughput will transform your business productivity, profitability and reduce dependance on labor. Make every single orange from your harvest count, with minimal waste.

Explore how to expand your grading capacity
Orange sorting machine

Quality so consistent, your customers can’t resist.


By consistently achieving your client’s quality requirements every season, it takes your reputation to the next level. And so the Elisam AI orange grader analyzes each orange inside and out, detecting size, weight, color, blemish, albedo breakdown, punctures, scarring, calyx, rot, stalk, crease, corrugations, mold, oleicellosis, end checks, navel deformations and more. With every orange graded correctly, you’ll maximize the return on each harvest while delivering exactly what your customer needs.

Discover how to achieve consistent quality

Get the most value from every orange


When it comes to growing oranges, you’re the expert. And when it comes to growing revenue, we know how to help. With the combination of our world-class Ellips TrueSort grading software and the Elisam orange grading machine, you’ll get the most value from your oranges by maximizing yields and reducing food waste. It’s highly flexible and lets you to meet any market demands or export criteria. Helping you strengthen your position as a preferred supplier and achieve a faster return on investment.

Orange grader

The next generation of orange grading

Ellips developed a new technology called True-AI. You can now deliver near-perfect grading accuracy through superior detection of the most challenging defects and orange characteristics such as clear rot, scarring and punctures.

The software has been trained using large amounts of data combined with the real-world expertise of our customers’ quality control teams. This data is collected from our global customer base across different seasons and growing conditions. By learning from this collective intelligence, True-AI continuously improves grading performance to get the maximum out of the orange grading machine.

Discover True-AI

AI-driven citrus grading. What’s in it for you?

This AI grading machine keeps us at the forefront as market leaders. With high capacity and consistent quality, we now have the opportunities—and the confidence—to meet diverse market demands.

Andreas Pantazis | Agrofrut Hellas | Greece

Discover Customer Story

Advanced orange grading

360° precision grading

Whatever the size or shape of your oranges, the Elisam orange grading machine handles them all. Its unique rotating carrier creates a 360° view of each orange, allowing you to analyze the entire surface for quality characteristics and defects such as soft spots, blemish, calyx, rot, stalk, crease, corrugations, punctures, albedo breakdown, mold, oleicellosis, end checks, navel deformations and more
Orange quality grading

A heavyweight in weighing

The Elisam orange sorting machine volumetrically weighs every orange at high-speed using images from advanced cameras. Our unique Ellips TrueSort™ software also monitors the average product weight and capacity per hour.

It all measures up

Every orange rotates under the camera as 40 images are taken to measure the entire surface. This lets the orange sorting machine calculate the precise diameter, length and surface area. It will also recognize shape related defects or doubles (2 oranges in 1 cup).
Orange size sorting

Grade every color

Ultrafine color separations are created using TrueSort™ software allowing operators to quickly create or modify color profiles. Then using live feedback from the cameras, the apple color is accurately graded with the Elisam AI orange grader.
Orange color sorting

Stay in full control

Ellips TrueSort’s™ easy-to-use dashboard gives real-time data such as the percentage of defective oranges, the amount of waste and the distribution of different quality aspects for each batch. This lets you make accurate operational decisions on-to-go whilst also giving you the freedom to incorporate data from your sorting process into dashboards and ERP systems.

End-to-end traceability

From infeed to packaging, end-to-end traceability is crucial to guaranteeing orange quality and safety. These insights can help improve your profitability, optimize your operating efficiency, analyze yields, and reduce food waste. It’s why every package is labeled so it can be tracked and traced back to the original grower and the field it came from.
Orange processing equipment
  • 360° precision grading

    Whatever the size or shape of your oranges, the Elisam orange grading machine handles them all. Its unique rotating carrier creates a 360° view of each orange, allowing you to analyze the entire surface for quality characteristics and defects such as soft spots, blemish, calyx, rot, stalk, crease, corrugations, punctures, albedo breakdown, mold, oleicellosis, end checks, navel deformations and more

  • A heavyweight in weighing

    The Elisam orange sorting machine volumetrically weighs every orange at high-speed using images from advanced cameras. Our unique Ellips TrueSort™ software also monitors the average product weight and capacity per hour.

  • It all measures up

    Every orange rotates under the camera as 40 images are taken to measure the entire surface. This lets the orange sorting machine calculate the precise diameter, length and surface area. It will also recognize shape related defects or doubles (2 oranges in 1 cup).

  • Grade every color

    Ultrafine color separations are created using TrueSort™ software allowing operators to quickly create or modify color profiles. Then using live feedback from the cameras, the apple color is accurately graded with the Elisam AI orange grader.

  • Stay in full control

    Ellips TrueSort’s™ easy-to-use dashboard gives real-time data such as the percentage of defective oranges, the amount of waste and the distribution of different quality aspects for each batch. This lets you make accurate operational decisions on-to-go whilst also giving you the freedom to incorporate data from your sorting process into dashboards and ERP systems.

  • End-to-end traceability

    From infeed to packaging, end-to-end traceability is crucial to guaranteeing orange quality and safety. These insights can help improve your profitability, optimize your operating efficiency, analyze yields, and reduce food waste. It’s why every package is labeled so it can be tracked and traced back to the original grower and the field it came from.

Meet a next-generation orange sorting machine


The robust and reliable Elisam AI orange grader is an industry-leading orange grading machine. Its unique mechanical design delivers gentle, yet fast and accurate handling of any type of orange. Everything your business needs to accelerate its success.

  • Best product handling and full surface inspection
    The Elisam orange sorting machine delicately handles your oranges without ever damaging them. Its unique rotating carrier them gives you a 360° view of each orange. Such grading means you’ll maximize the return on each harvest while delivering exactly what your customer needs.
  • Robust and reliable grading machinery for maximum uptime
    The Elisam AI orange grader is the most robust and reliable grading and sorting machine in the industry giving your business maximum uptime, so your operation can keep running at a fast pace. As a result you can process twice the amount of orders you normally would.

 

Discover the Elisam grader
Orange sorting machine

Orange grading and packing with the finest results.

It’s all fully integrated so your entire packhouse works as one


Working directly with hundreds of packhouses around the globe, we’ve fully integrated our machines into each individual facility. Together with our partners, we’ll do the same for you, ensuring your entire packhouse is optimized through seamlessly integrated orange processing machines. These machines connect multi-head weighers, bin tippers, washing and waxing machines, drying tunnels, palletizers, packing tables and automated packaging.With Ellips Group, you’re fully covered with a one-stop shop solution for all your packhouse needs.

Orange grading and packing

Orange packing as efficient as our grading


As we offer a complete solution, our service doesn’t stop once the oranges are graded, we can also offer customized orange packing machines. Our technology is designed to reduce packing and labor costs, whilst making your packhouse more efficient. As it’s an automated system, it will distribute the oranges into boxes, bags, bins, totes or tanks, eliminating the need for human labor.

Orange packing machine

Customer stories and insights on orange grading


Ellips True-AI brings next-generation Citrus Grading to California

Discover how Ellips True-AI’s Elisam grader helps California citrus packers cut labor dependence, reduce rejections and ensure consistent grading at scale.

Explore article

Read more about
AI grading keeps Agrofrut’s citrus quality consistent at 40+ tons/hour

Discover how Agrofrut Hellas uses AI grading to maintain citrus quality at 40+ tons/hour — meeting strict export demands while easing labour pressure.

Discover Customer Story

Read more about
What are the powerful benefits of AI for your orange grading?

Artificial intelligence offers great opportunities to ensure superior quality at great speed. Discover the future of orange grading.

Explore article

Read more about
How can you ensure desired citrus quality and consistency?

Do you suffer from quality inconsistency due to extreme growing conditions? Are you struggling to sort out challenging defects? Discover your solution.

Explore article

Read more about
How can you improve citrus grading capacity and reduce labor?

Do you have a reliable labor force to be fully operational? Are you achieving maximum capacity to exploit full market potential? Discover your solution.

Explore article

Read more about

Frequently Asked Questions

Investing in an AI-powered orange grading machine is an important decision. Below you’ll find answers to the questions we hear most often from orange growers and packers, including grading accuracy, labor savings, internal quality inspection, throughput, return on investment, service and support, data insights and customer experiences.

How AI orange grading works
What are the benefits of AI-driven orange grading machines?

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

How does an AI-powered orange grading machine work?

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

The grading process includes:

  • Accurate singulation to ensure every orange is individually assessed
  • Rotating cups and 360° grading for full surface visibility
  • Up to 90 high-resolution images per orange
  • Analysis of size, shape, color, weight, and external defects
  • The collected data is analyzed by True-AI, which classifies each orange 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.

How easy is it to use an AI orange grading machine?

Elisam orange 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.

Can I upgrade my existing orange sorting machine with Ellips grading technology?

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.

Quality & Accuracy
How accurate is an AI orange grading machine?

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

Elisam orange 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.

What external defects can an orange sorting machine detect?

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

 

Detectable defects include:

  • Soft Spots
  • Blemish
  • Calyx
  • Clear Rot
  • Stalk
  • Crease
  • Corrugations
  • Mold
  • Oleicellosis
  • Albedo Breakdown
  • End checks
  • Punctures
  • Navel deformations
  • 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

Can the machine sort oranges into different quality classes?

Yes, the Ellips orange grading software allows you to define and apply multiple quality classes based on your specific requirements.

For example,oranges can be sorted into:

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

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

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

Capacity & Labor
How many tons per hour can an orange sorting machine process?

Elisam orange grading machines typically process 3 to 5 tons per hour per lane, depending on orange size, average weight and cup fill percentage. For example, with an average orange weight of 200 grams, one lane handles around 5 metric tons per hour.

Capacity can be scaled through multi-lane configurations:
1 lane: 3-5 metric tons per hour
4 lanes: up to 20 metric tons per hour
8 lanes: up to 40 metric tons per hour

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

How much labor can you save with an orange sorting machine?

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

For example, Agrofrut Hellas, one of Greece’s largest citrus exporters, uses an Elisam grader with Ellips True-AI to process more than 40 tons of citrus per hour. This lets the company meet its daily targets without hiring extra staff, and keep quality and productivity stable even when seasonal labor is scarce.

Benefits include:
✅ Lower labor costs
✅ Reduced dependence on seasonal workers
✅ Higher throughput
✅ More consistent grading results
✅ More predictable operations during peak season

Can the orange grading machine handle varying fruit quality without slowing down the line?

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

Return on investment
Is an AI orange grading machine worth the investment?

Yes. For most orange 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.

What is the payback period of an orange grading machine?

The payback period depends on factors such as production volume, labor costs and the level of automation. In most cases, orange 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.

What are the next steps if I’m interested in an orange grading machine?

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.

Why growers choose Ellips-Elisam
What makes Ellips-Elisam a trusted partner in orange grading technology?

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.

Is Ellips a family-owned company?

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.

Service and support
What service and support can I expect with an orange grading machine?

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

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

How long does it take to install an orange grading machine?

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 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.

Is the orange grading system future-proof and easy to upgrade?

Yes, Ellips and Elisam 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
  • Internal quality modules
  • 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.

Data & business insights
Can I monitor performance and generate reports with the orange grading system?

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.

How can grading data be used to optimize business 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.

How does the orange grading system ensure full traceability from field to fork?

Ellips TrueSort tracks every orange 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.

Still have questions? Our full FAQ has detailed answers on AI grading technology, quality and defect detection, capacity and labor savings, return on investment, installation, service and support, data insights and more.

Explore all Orange Grading FAQs