Sorter relocation
Positioning and integration of the existing apple colour sorter into the new processing layout while working around building constraints and service access.
Case study - Tasman region
Apple colour sorter relocation with new conveyor and water infeed systems.
A practical orchard processing project: relocate an existing apple colour sorter, then design and build the supporting conveyor systems, waterbath infeed and wash plant interfaces needed to make the line work in its new site.
Project brief
Move the machine, then make the whole line behave.
The project was not only a relocation. The colour sorter had to land in a different building context, connect into an orchard workflow, and be supported by practical infeed, transfer, access and wash plant systems.
Conveyor systems
Supporting conveyor runs, transfers and handling paths developed to connect the relocated sorter into the orchard's production flow.
Waterbath infeed
Water-based infeed and dump concepts shaped around gentle fruit handling, controlled flow and practical cleaning access.
Wash plant support
Line interfaces, layouts and supporting fabrication thinking for the wash plant and surrounding orchard process equipment.
Engineering approach
Layout thinking first, fabrication detail second.
This kind of project lives in the gap between a machine move and a working production line. The useful work is in the interfaces: height, reach, cleaning, flow, transfers, support frames, access, drainage and the site measurements that keep the build honest.
MeasureExisting site and machine constraints
ModelLayouts, concepts and fabrication details
BuildConveyors, supports and infeed systems
Project gallery
From site constraints to working handling systems.
Selected project photos and design references from the Wratten orchard build set.
Outcome
A relocated machine became a functioning processing line.
The value was in joining the pieces: an existing sorter, new conveyor work, water handling, wash plant integration and a building layout that had to be respected. The result was a practical orchard handling system shaped around real equipment rather than a clean-sheet fantasy.
Production fit
The relocated colour sorter was connected back into the orchard's processing workflow.
Site-fit design
Layouts and conveyors were shaped around the building, available space and operator access.
Practical fabrication
The design work stayed close to what had to be fabricated, installed, cleaned and maintained.
Have a machine move or process line that needs making real?
Send the machine photos, building constraints, sketches, measurements or existing drawings. We will start with the layout problem and work toward the buildable path.