Machine vision systems in food processing and agro-industry
Product quality control
In the food and agro-processing industries, product quality directly impacts consumer safety and brand reputation. Machine vision systems provide 100% automated inspection across production stages, detecting external and internal defects without stopping the line. This eliminates subjectivity, reduces human error, and ensures compliance with safety standards.
Capabilities
External defect detection — identification of discoloration, damage, deformation, or spoilage on product surfaces;
Foreign material detection — spotting bones, shells, plastic, or metal fragments in raw or processed foods;
Internal quality analysis — evaluation of bread porosity, uniform filling distribution, presence of mold, or cooking degree;
Dimensional control — measurement of product size, shape, and volume for grading;
Digital reporting and MES/ERP integration — instant transmission of inspection results for analytics and corrective actions.
Implementation Example
Mobile Synetra Iris platform for vegetable quality inspection in greenhouses.
What the system does
Analyzes size, shape, color, and ripeness of crops on the plant;
Detects defects such as cracks, rot, and spotting;
Assesses maturity for harvest prediction;
Generates a quality heat map of yield.
Result
95% removal of underripe and defective produce before harvest;
Harvest efficiency increased by up to 40%;
Manual sorting labor reduced by 3–4 workers per shift;
Retail compliance rate — up to 98%.
Sorting
Automated sorting by size, color, maturity, and quality ensures high-speed throughput without slowing production lines. Machine vision systems integrate with ejectors and conveyors, eliminating manual errors and providing consistent grading.
Capabilities
Quality-based sorting — separating defective from market-grade products;
Size and weight classification — automatic distribution into categories and calibers;
Color and ripeness analysis — grading fruits, vegetables, nuts, or roasted goods by appearance;
High-speed rejection — pneumatic or mechanical diverters remove defective units instantly;
Flexible configuration — quick criteria changes for different batches.
Implementation Example
Synetra LineScan on a potato processing line.
What the system does
Measures size, shape, color, and density of tubers;
Detects rot, green spots, cracks, and mechanical damage;
Sorts potatoes into categories and directs them into bins.
Result
100% elimination of sorting errors;
Sorting accuracy up to 96%;
Waste reduction — 30% less usable product discarded;
Labor savings — minus 4 operators per shift.
Packaging and inventory control
At the packaging stage, correct filling, sealing, and labeling are critical for compliance and brand trust. Machine vision systems inspect each unit in real time while automating digital tracking.
Capabilities
Fill-level and sealing verification — detection of underfilling, leaks, or faulty seals;
Quantity tracking — automated counting of items per package or batch, eliminating manual tally errors;
Serialization and labeling — barcode and DataMatrix scanning for each item;
Aggregation — linking individual units to cases or pallets;
MES/ERP integration — real-time data transfer for warehouse and shipment tracking.
Implementation Example
Synetra PackTrack for dry food packaging lines.
What the system does
Monitors packaging integrity and label presence;
Reads QR/DataMatrix and stores batch data;
Weighs products for underfill detection.
Result
100% inventory accuracy;
95% elimination of labeling and mispack errors;
Automation replaced 3 quality controllers per shift.
Hygiene and sanitation compliance
Food safety requires strict hygiene monitoring. Machine vision systems ensure sanitary compliance and risk prevention, reducing contamination risks and enabling full audit readiness.
Capabilities
PPE detection — verifying gloves, masks, coats, and caps on personnel;
Equipment cleanliness monitoring — spotting residue or contamination on conveyors, blades, or packaging surfaces;
Compliance of equipment design — IP67/IP69K camera housings for wet cleaning and harsh environments;
Workplace safety monitoring — detecting unauthorized access, spills, smoke, or fire;
Audit documentation — automated photo and video records for HACCP, ISO 22000, and external audits.
Implementation Example
Synetra Iris for hygiene control in food factories.
What the system does
Monitors PPE compliance at sanitary gates;
Detects hygiene procedure violations;
Records data for internal and external audits.
Result
Sanitation violations reduced by 90%;
PPE compliance monitoring fully automated;
Incident response time under 2 seconds.
Labeling and expiration date control
Compliance with labeling regulations is mandatory in food production (including serialization under Chestny ZNAK in Russia). Machine vision ensures 100% automatic verification of codes and dates at production speed.
Capabilities
Date and expiration check — reading and validating printed or laser-engraved markings;
Format and content verification — ensuring codes and dates match production orders;
2D code scanning (DataMatrix, QR) — ISO/IEC-compliant grading of print quality;
Serialization — assigning unique IDs to products with regulatory reporting;
Aggregation — linking group packaging codes with included items.
Implementation Example
Synetra Iris on a meat product labeling line.
What the system does
Reads barcodes, DataMatrix, production date, and expiration date;
Matches data against production orders;
Captures inspection photo records for traceability.
Result
100% elimination of date and code errors;
Complaints from distributors reduced 6x;
Simplified audits and recall handling.
Advantages of Implementing Machine Vision in Agro-Processing
Enhanced product quality and safety;
Lower defect and waste levels across the supply chain;
Automated control, sorting, and reporting;
Full traceability from raw materials to packaged goods.
Why Choose Us
Proprietary image processing algorithms for food applications;
AI-powered recognition of defects, labels, and codes;
Seamless integration with packaging, sorting, and ERP systems;
24/7 technical support from deployment to operation.