Apparatus for color-based sorting of titanium fragments

Abstract

An apparatus for sorting fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color is disclosed. The apparatus captures at least one color image of each fragment, inserts relevant color values from the image into an automated color-sorting system to determine the color of the fragment, and segregates the fragments according to color or range-of-color, by way of a physical segregation apparatus controlled by the color sorting system. The color sorting systems usually involve the conversion of color images from the fragments into color signals, which are in turn transformed into color values. The color images are usually represented by a pattern of pixels. The color values are automatically compared to values, which are part of a look-up table based on data sets, which embrace acceptable or rejectable color values. Comparison of color values determined for the fragments with those in the look-up table results in the acceptance or rejection of each fragment.