GSI BinRite grain identification system

Agco’s GSI grain handling, drying and storage business has introduced the BinRite system in North America as a means of identifying crops in transit within a grain elevator complex. The new technology utilises sensors that illuminate grain with multi-spectral light to analyse hundreds of images per second. The sensors can be mounted at multiple locations throughout a grain conveying system to verify that the correct grain types are being sent to each bin.

The sensor technology used illuminates grain with multi-spectral light to analyse hundreds of images per second; it can currently identify corn (grain maize), soybeans and white and red wheat.

Stops misrouting

If the identified crop type is misrouted, the fully automated sensor system will stop the grain flow and sound an alert. Other technologies – such as radio frequency identification (RFID) – are used by many grain storage operations but mixing can still occur due to operator error or a mechanical issue.

Adam Weiss, GSI director of global technology, says the BinRite grain identification system will help operators avoid the consequences of inadvertent mixing of grains, including shipping delays, rejections, discounts and negative impacts on customer relationships. At present, BinRite can identify corn (grain maize), soybeans and white and red wheat but work is underway to extend that to other grain types, says GSI.

The new BinRite grain identification system aims to prevent inadvertent mixing of different crop types in storage bins.

Existing protocols

The sensors can be integrated with the existing protocols of a programmable logic controller (PLC) or have a stand-alone PLC as part of the installation if this resource is not already available. The system will be available commercially in the USA and Canada this summer before being rolled out to other markets.