# Air Burst Sorting (DD-425)

> Optical sorters feed items along a belt or chute past cameras or sensors that judge color, shape or material. When an item matches the rejection rule, a precisely timed burst from an air jet knocks it into a separate stream. The method is used in recycling, food processing and mining. The footage shows mixed recyclables being sorted by air jets.

- Department: Tech
- First published: 2024-12-15
- Last updated: 2024-12-15
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/air-burst-sorting/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-425-F01**: Cameras or sensors identify items. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Sensors))_
- **DD-425-F02**: Bursts eject items. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Air jets))_

## Write-up

Cameras spot an item and a puff of air knocks it aside. It sorts recycling, food and minerals at high speed.

1. **Sensors**: Cameras or sensors identify items.
2. **Air jets**: Bursts eject items.
3. **Speed**: High throughput.
4. **Uses**: Recycling and food.
5. **Criteria**: Color, shape, material.

## Related case files

- [Food Recycling (DD-569)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/food-recycling/): I linked more sorting and recycling

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Air Burst Sorting: Cameras Spot an Item and a Puff of Air Knocks It Aside

- Duration: 31.2 s · Published: 2024-12-15
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DDlrZmROf6n.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, pressurized air sorting is a technique used to separate materials based on their size, weight, or composition by directing controlled bursts of air of the items. It is commonly employed in recycling facilities, food processing, and industrial production lines. The process involves speeding materials onto a conveyor or into a shoot, where sensors or cameras identify specific items based on pre-programmed criteria, such as weight, shape, or material type. Once an item is detected, a high-pressure air nozzle precisely targets and ejects it into a designated bin or stream, separating it from the rest of the material. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What ejects items?**  
A: Jets. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Sensors) · Wikipedia: Optical sorting)_

**Q: What identifies items?**  
A: Optical. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Air jets) · Wikipedia: Optical sorting)_

**Q: Where is it used?**  
A: Industry. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Speed) · Wikipedia: Optical sorting)_

**Q: What criteria?**  
A: Rules. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Uses) · Wikipedia: Optical sorting)_

**Q: What is it called?**  
A: Name. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Criteria) · Wikipedia: Optical sorting)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Optical sorting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_sorting)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Air Burst Sorting." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-425, last updated Dec 15, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/air-burst-sorting/