Intelligent.Declustering

Automated segmentation for better performance

Why is Declustering a gamechanger?

Particle sorting technology typically analyses and takes decisions on individual particles that are defined over the belt. For increasing throughputs, there is a higher chance for composite objects to be identified as a single particle. This can result in incorrect sorting decisions such as:

- Valuable ore being classified as waste
- Waste being classified as a valuable particle

To overcome this, the sorter feed capacities must be reduced to allow particles to be physically separated from each other.

Declustering is about making sure individual particles are detected separately for proper classification. This improves the accuracy and efficiency of the sorting system while allowing to process higher throughputs.

With STEINERT's Intelligent.Declustering, the software extracts and analyses the individual rock out of the cluster, even if they are very close together. With the software update, the sorting system evaluates the particles individually. This process is called “Declustering” and means that mining companies can operate the sorting systems at a higher throughput and achieve higher purity and recovery rates. Goals that were previously mutually exclusive are now compatible.
 

How does Declustering work?

Declustering relies on intelligent algorithms and image processing techniques applied after sensor data acquisition. As material flows at 2.8 m/s, sensors (XRT and/or 3D Laser), scan the stream and generate detailed images. When particles are clustered, the software automatically analyses the data to virtually separate them into individual objects. This enables accurate and individual particle sorting decisions, even when physical separation is incomplete.