Monday, November 24

Scientists Invent Machine That Sorts Pomegranate Seeds

A team of investigators from Valencia has developed a machine that separates automatically the seeds from the rind and pith of the pomegranate. The mechanism uses a computer vision system to distinguish and sort the different parts of this fruit, according to a study published on-line by the Journal of Food Engineering.


The difficulty in peeling pomegranates and separating out the seeds disheartens many consumers when they eat the fruit of the pomegranate (Punica granatum). Now a Spanish invention enables this food to be de-seeded automatically. “This involves a machine that discards the non edible parts and sorts the seeds according to their quality”, José Blasco explains to SINC and who is from the Institute of Agrarian Research in Valencia (Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias [IVIA]), where they have carried out research. The results of the research have been published recently in the Journal of Food Engineering, and the patent has already been requested.

The initial idea for creating this machine came from a project financed by the European Union for the comprehensive utilization of the pomegranate. A firm from Valencia became involved in the project and uses the machine to separate the seeds from the pomegranate and commercialises them.

The seeds arrive at the machine in a pile and mixed with the rest of the fruit, following a prior process of wholesale de-seeding. The material is placed on a conveyor platform with hoppers that organises it into a queue before going on to the “inspection chamber” where two videocameras record each object going through. Images are processed in a computer with vision software especially designed for this task that identifies what is seed from what is not (pith, rind, strange items from the countryside), in addition to evaluating the quality of the seeds.

This information enables the fruit to be put to one side in the “separation area”, which has four exits. When the system detects that an active skin is passing through, a “blast” is emitted from air projectors thus pushing it towards the first exit. By means of these “blasts” (which last about 30 milliseconds) the rest of the material is separated gradually. The seeds that do not fulfil the quality requirements demanded by the firm are eliminated through the second exit, prime quality seeds go through the third exit, and those of excellent quality go through the fourth exit.

Anti-carcinogenic properties of pomegranates

Nearly 35,000 tons of pomegranates are produced in Spain each year, and the harvesting period is concentrated between the months of October and January. Until now a lot of the fruits were not commercialised because of their cracked and discoloured appearance due to “too much sun”, although in both cases the nutritive and organoleptic quality of the seeds was not affected. With the new machine these pomegranates will be used to full advantage.

The nutritional and anti-carcinogenic properties of the pomegranate fruits have been highlighted in various studies. Moreover this tree does not need fertilizers, phytosanitary products, or large quantities of water, and so adapts well to arid soils.

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Tuesday, November 18

Construction Machinery Manufacturers Forecast Tough Business Outlook through 2009, says AEM Survey

The construction equipment manufacturing industry expects continued business declines in the United States through year-end 2008 of 8.6 percent, followed by flat growth in 2009 of 0.04 percent, according to the annual "outlook" survey of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

The AEM survey provides a snapshot of construction machinery manufacturers' predictions for overall year-end 2008 and 2009 business in the U.S., Canada and worldwide.

Canada is predicted to fare better, with business stabilizing at minus 1.7 percent for 2008, followed by 2.2 percent growth in 2009. Sales to worldwide markets are anticipated to increase 8.5 percent by year-end 2008 and gain 5.4 percent in 2009.

AEM is the North-American based international trade group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry. Each year it surveys its construction equipment manufacturer members about expected sales of the machines that build and repair roads, bridges, houses, offices, schools and other infrastructure in America and worldwide.

The AEM annual outlook forecast covers 72 different whole machine product types and 19 types of attachments and components, grouped into seven broad categories: earthmoving, lifting, bituminous, concrete and aggregate, light equipment, attachments and components, and miscellaneous equipment.

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Tuesday, November 11

10.4 percent: Japan's machinery orders got the biggest drop in last 10 years

Taking into account the global economic slowdown led to reduced overseas demand, machinery manufacturers have cut their investment plans, leading to Japan's machinery orders fell 10.4 percent last season, the biggest drop over the past 10 years.

Machinery orders data in Japan has been a leading indicator of investment in equipment, the Japanese Cabinet Office said in Tokyo yesterday, machinery orders drop is the signal reducing investment in the next three to six months.

Reduce of Japanese exporters' profits this year have resulted in the Nikkei 225 index fell 44 percent, and forced some of Japan's largest companies to cut down costs. Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan anticipated last week the fiscal year revenue will be reduced by 70%, and plans to reduce the staff and investment.

"Demand reduction has been very clear, which suppress the will of the investment." BNP Paribas senior economist in Tokyo Maruyama is forecast, "we will see more companies to reduce the cost in greater scope."

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Monday, November 3

Environmental protection motorcycle ---driven by body movements

It may look like the most dangerous motorbike in the world but this new invention is actually the latest form of green transport.

The electric Uno is the brainchild of 18-year-old Canadian Ben Gulak who spent several years developing the bike, which is controlled entirely by body movements.

The machine actually has two wheels, side-by-side, and uses gyroscopic technology to stay upright. It moves in the direction the rider leans - and the more you lean, the faster you go.

Ben claims that the bike could help beat pollution and he was inspired to design it after visiting China and seeing all the smog there.

He says: "The bike is fairly easy to ride, but takes a bit of getting used to because you have to learn to trust it."

The top speed on the current prototype is 25mph, but this could be increased with the use of a bigger motor.

The Uno weighs just 58kg and has a range of 2.5 hours once it is charged from the mains. Ben is seeking investors to help him put it into full production.

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Sunday, November 2

U.S. financial crisis affecting the Japanese car and parts industry

U.S. financial crisis is affecting the global economy, also had an impact on all Japan's walks of life. Auto industry is one of the important pillars of Japan's economy, it's contributions to employment and tax are not be overlooked, however, Japan's auto industry is facing a severe test, many enterprises are taking all possible ways to minimize the financial crisis brought about by the negative impact .


Recently, Japanese media discuss the survive current situation of the Japanese automotive industry under the financial crisis. The report go deep into the automotive industry directly and invited Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe as special guests. According to reports, an auto parts supplier by the name of "Sangang industry" in Nagoya , as early as before the financial crisis, has been in difficult to operate due to oil and steel price rising. Through technical innovation and cost reduction, the situation has improved . But after the financial crisis, Sangang industry had to reduce massive staff and stopped the two production line.
Katsuaki Watanabe said: "The development of Toyota Motor Corporation in the world are growing, but due to the United States financial crisis, tension of crude oil and prices of raw materials, was forced to slow down the pace."

Earlier, Toyota had just cut a large North American vehicle production scale and was forced to lay off. Katsuaki Watanabe said because of sluggish sales of large vehicles, the company income was reduced, high investment in research and development is difficult recovery in the short term , it add more financial burden.

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