Laitram’s poultry vision grading system, delivered through the SMART Sorter and working alongside DSI waterjet portioning, dramatically improves sorting accuracy by singulation each nugget or breast strip and using advanced laser imaging with computer vision algorithms to inspect, measure, and grade every piece automatically.

Automated sorting boosts line speed, ensures uniform grading standards, and improves traceability, helping processors meet stringent quality requirements and customer specifications. This process reduces manual errors, captures 15–25% more high-value product from DSI waterjet portioning system trim, reduces labor costs by automating what typically requires 26 people, and provides real-time digital reporting for optimized plant performance. With a throughput of up to 4,200 lbs./hr. per sorter—and upgradeable to 6,300 lbs./hr. with AI—processors gain consistent quality, better yield, and a reliable, data-driven grading solution.

The SMART Sorter for poultry produces real-time, cloud data that lets processors instantly track sorting results, yield recovery, and grade distribution for every chicken nugget or breast strip. By combining advanced computer vision and laser imaging with automated reporting, the system enables operators to optimize throughput, verify accuracy, and monitor consistency, thereby boosting recovery rates and reducing labor requirements compared to manual grading. This data-driven approach supports better decision-making and continuous process improvement for poultry manufacturers.

Manual sorting of nuggets and breast strips after DSI portioning relies on large teams of skilled harvesters to inspect every piece for size, shape, and defects at high speed. This labor-intensive process drives up costs, suffers from high turnover, and yields inconsistent results due to human perception and fatigue. Typically, only about 5% of premium product is recovered, with much of it lost to further processing or trim. Automated vision sorting, such as the SMART Sorter, eliminates subjectivity, increases recovery rates, and slashes labor and operational costs—directly improving consistency and profitability.