Optical Sorting Machine for Recycling​

What is Optical Sorting Machine?

An optical sorting machine is an automated separation system that uses optical sensors to identify and remove unwanted particles by color, brightness, and material differences. In mineral processing and recycling plants, it is commonly installed after crushing and screening to separate off-color, contaminated, and low-grade materials that traditional equipment cannot detect.

Optical sorters process particle sizes from 0.5–50 mm, with capacity depending on material characteristics, feed conditions, and machine configuration. The system combines CCD/NIR sensors, LED lighting, signal processing units, air ejectors, and chute or belt feeding systems to achieve stable sorting performance.

Applicable Materials

Color sorter machines use CCD cameras and spectral sensors to detect color, shape, and material differences, removing unwanted particles that cannot be separated by traditional screening or density methods. The equipment is widely used for mineral upgrading, glass recycling, aggregate sorting, and industrial material purification, including quartz, silica sand, feldspar, fluorite, calcite, recycled glass, and other valuable resources.

Applications & Material Sorting

In mineral processing, optical sorting machine remove iron-stained, dark, and low-grade particles to improve purity, whiteness, and product quality. Quartz and silica sand can reach 99.5–99.9% SiO₂ purity for glass, semiconductor, and photovoltaic applications, while feldspar, fluorite, calcite, and talc benefit from improved color and grade control. In recycling and aggregate applications, the machine separates ceramic, stone, weathered particles, and contaminants from recycled glass, coal, crushed stone, and industrial minerals to increase recovery value and final product quality.

Working principle

An optical sorting machine identifies and removes off-spec particles by comparing each particle’s optical signature against a pre-set reference standard, then triggering a precisely timed air ejection to divert rejected material. Unlike mechanical separation — which sorts by size or density — color sorting works on surface-level optical characteristics, making it effective for separating particles identical in size but different in composition or quality.
The typical process: feed enters through a vibrating feeder → particles are singulated down a chute or belt → CCD/NIR sensors scan at over 50,000 scans per second → the signal processor flags out-of-spec particles → compressed-air nozzles (0.4–0.6 MPa) fire to eject rejects. Feed consistency directly affects accuracy: irregular particle size causes detection overlap, while surface moisture above 1.5% degrades sensor readings and increases false-rejection rates.

Types of Optical Color Sorting Machines

Optical color sorters are classified by feed transport mechanism and sensor technology. Zhongyi offers both chute-type and belt-type configurations, with CCD-only or CCD+NIR combined sensor options.To learn more, click on “Types of Optical Sorting Machines.”

Chute-Type / CCD

Gravity-fed through a chute, this model uses CCD cameras to detect color and surface differences. It is suitable for quartz, feldspar, calcite, and silica sand, handling 0.5–30 mm particles at 2–30 t/h.

Chute-Type / CCD+NIR

Equipped with CCD and NIR sensors, it identifies both appearance and material composition. Designed for high-purity minerals and mixed-phase ores, it processes 0.5–30 mm materials with a capacity of 2–25 t/h.

Belt-Type / CCD

A flat belt design provides stable feeding for irregular and fragile particles. The machine sorts 5–50 mm aggregates and minerals at 1–8 t/h.

Belt-Type / CCD+NIR

Combining belt feeding with CCD and NIR detection, this model separates minerals by color and composition. It is used for industrial minerals with a feed size of 5–50 mm and capacity of 1–6 t/h.

Type	Feed Mechanism	Sensor	Feed Size	Throughput	Typical Application
Chute-Type / CCD	Gravity chute	CCD	0.5–30 mm	2–30 t/h	Quartz, feldspar, calcite, silica sand
Chute-Type / CCD+NIR	Gravity chute	CCD + NIR	0.5–30 mm	2–25 t/h	High-purity minerals, mixed-phase ores
Belt-Type / CCD	Flat belt	CCD	5–50 mm	1–8 t/h	Irregular or fragile particles, aggregates
Belt-Type / CCD+NIR	Flat belt	CCD + NIR	5–50 mm	1–6 t/h	Industrial minerals, compositional sorting

Notes:Capacities are typical values. Contact Zhongyi ECO for model selection based on your material and purity requirements.

Specifications

Specifications above are reference values. Actual capacity and sorting accuracy vary with material type, particle size distribution, surface moisture, and required purity grade.

Model	Channels	Feed Size	Sorting Accuracy	Capacity	Air Pressure	Power	Dimensions (L×W×H)
XZY-64	64	0.5–8 mm	≥ 99.5%	0.8–2.5 t/h	0.4–0.6 MPa	1.5 kW	1,050×1,000×1,650 mm
XZY-128	128	0.5–15 mm	≥ 99.5%	2–6 t/h	0.4–0.6 MPa	2.2 kW	1,560×1,000×1,650 mm
XZY-192	192	1–20 mm	≥ 99.7%	4–10 t/h	0.4–0.6 MPa	3.0 kW	2,100×1,200×1,800 mm
XZY-256	256	1–25 mm	≥ 99.7%	7–15 t/h	0.4–0.6 MPa	4.5 kW	2,650×1,200×1,800 mm
XZY-320	320	2–30 mm	≥ 99.8%	12–22 t/h	0.5–0.6 MPa	5.5 kW	3,200×1,400×2,000 mm
XZY-384	384	2–35 mm	≥ 99.8%	18–30 t/h	0.5–0.6 MPa	7.5 kW	3,750×1,400×2,000 mm

Advantages

Optical sorting machines use CCD cameras, NIR sensors, and air ejection systems to detect and remove unwanted particles by color and material differences. They improve sorting accuracy, reduce manual labor, and provide stable performance for mineral processing, recycling, and aggregate applications.

Applications

Optical sorting machines improve material purity and recovery value by removing unwanted particles, contaminants, and off-grade materials. They are widely used in recycling and mineral processing applications to reduce manual sorting, improve product quality, and increase production efficiency. The main applications include plastic recycling, waste glass recycling, mineral processing, and municipal solid waste recycling.

Xinzhongyi ECO provides customized sorting solutions based on material characteristics, processing requirements, and complete project needs.

Custom Color Sorter Machine Solutions

Xinzhongyi ECO designs optical sorting solutions based on material characteristics, production targets, and processing requirements. By understanding your raw material, purity requirements, and plant conditions, our engineering team can recommend the right sorting technology, sensor configuration, machine model, and complete processing solution.

Custom Options Include:

• Material Type & Application
• Feed Size & Material Condition
• Purity Requirement & Sorting Target
• Processing Capacity
• Sorting Process Requirement
• Solution Scope

Optical Sorting Machine Manufacturer & Supplier

Xinzhongyi ECO manufactures optical sorting machines for mineral processing, aggregate production, and recycling applications. With 16+ years of experience in industrial equipment manufacturing, we provide sorting solutions for materials such as quartz, feldspar, fluorite, recycled glass, and industrial minerals. Our machines use CCD and NIR sensor technology with precision air ejection systems to improve separation efficiency and product quality.

Supported by 3 production bases and ISO 9001 quality management, Xinzhongyi ECO provides complete project support from equipment selection and manufacturing to installation, commissioning, and after-sales service. We work with customers to develop reliable sorting systems based on material conditions, production requirements, and final product standards.

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