“ You have to seem at it this fashion . It is not a car that shoots out the bad bulbs , it is a relief of labor . We can just have a lot more capacity with a band less the great unwashed . That ’s where the big earnings is . "
Peter Lommerse from Nord Lommerse in Hillegom is speaking . The company is , with an annual product of nearly 300 million bulbs , one of the big companies in the international bringing up trade . The bulbs are deliver from the beginning of August to the conclusion of October and to ensure that all deviate or fusarium - sham bulbs are filtered out before dispatch , they all go through the BulbStar once . This machine is mount in the sorting short letter and it x - rays all bulb , as many as 30 to 40 thousand pieces per minute . Peter started with one machine 12 years ago , and now there are five with a 6th one in the works .
Above , the bulbs are transported over the conveyor belt to the BulbStar . They are scanned there , which results in a flick like the one at the bottom right wing .
The BulbStar selects around 80 % of the healthy bulbs . So only 20 % remains which have to be checked and re - checked by workers . “ Of course , up to 90 or even 100 percent would be terrific , but that is up to the Havatec technician . However , the truth , speed and dependability of the machine have uphold to ameliorate in recent long time , so much so that in practice we hardly can do without it . "
twice deployableHowever , an outcome is profitability . At Nord Lommerse they only carry for three calendar month and not even all at once . The top is in September , when the bulk is made ‘ exportation quick ’ . Before and after that , the production increases and decreases again .
Fortunately , however , there is another applications programme for the auto : in the planting line of the water forcing . " The forcing is usually planned from November to March , " Peter explain . “ Because hygienics standards have risen and because of disease and/or fusarium press citizenry choose not to meet the light bulb before imbed , the BulbStar can also scan the bulbs once more . That have in mind less impinging and it relieves the planter . "
A rocker boot out most of the sour bulbs ; the doubted bulbs are returned over a disjoined belt and are re - evaluate by a skilled centre .
Lommerse does not force itself , but 12 years ago they enter with exactly this approach . “ We had purchased a BBX machine , the predecessor of the current BulbStar , together with a forcer . This already worked with the same technology , but automatically it was completely different and the software program has been developed considerably since then . The intention was that we would use it for selection during the exportation season , and that he would then utilise it for pin . But that did n’t work . The machine had too short capacitance and dismantling and relocating elsewhere was quite an project . The current BulbStar is much more reliable and also comparatively comfortable to move . "
Although testing for fusarium is becoming more and more common at the forcer ’ , this dual diligence is by no means measure . Sharing is also not always a lucid consequence of the purchase , Peter knows , because there are enough to keep it alone for himself . However , if people would care to collaborate , Lommerse is concerned .
NecessityThe export producer has been scaling up more and more in late years . Continued mechanisation was therefore crucial , but finding extra hands is becoming more and more difficult . “ Personnel is an issue , the dearth is becoming more sharp and moreover seasonal work is becoming more and more expensive . A new scheme ( WAB ) will start next year and the costs of seasonal work will increase by at least 10 per centum . Machines work constantly and besides , during the peak we also crop in two shifts , so that work continues from 6 in the morning to 10 in the eve . You even would want to work through the night , so to utter , but then all supply and removal would also have to proceed . That would be such a effect on your permanent employee , so at least for now we ’re not think that . ”
ultimately , Havatec has acquired a safe position in this corner . There are really no competing motorcar and in case someone would like to acquire such a machine , it would not be that easy at all . “ What they do well is to need the enterpriser from A to Z in the evolution of their own simple machine . We have also been involved with every update . "
need to see the real machine ? Then pay a visit this month to the Stichting Mechanisatie Tentoonstelling Bollenstreek ( remain firm number 2C01 ) and/or to the Tulip Trade Event in March , where Havatec will present one . For more information : Nord Lommerse Flower Bulb GroupE:[email protected]www.nordlommerse.com
HavatecE:[email protected]www.havatec.nl
© FloralDaily.com/Geert Peeters
