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About fish grader

Types of fish graders

Fish graders come in several types, each suited to the specific needs of the fish industry. The following types involve manual grading, while others rely on automation.

Manual fish graders

These graders require workers to operate. Manual grading is frequently used in small-scale operations where output demand cannot justify the expenses associated with mechanization.

Vibration fish graders

This simple gadget grades seafood based on the various sizes of the grading holes. It utilizes vibration as the main mechanism of operation. The graders incorporate a set of vibrating sieves that shake to allow fish to pass through the sieve holes, depending on their size. This equipment is ideal for grading shellfish.

Pneumatic fish graders

A pneumatic fish grader uses compressed air to sort fish into various sizes. It works similarly to the manual graders by incorporating a set of holes of different sizes. Appropriate air pressure is then used to force the fish through the holes. This type of fish grader is, however, not as prevalent.

Rotary mechanical fish graders

This mechanical fish grading system consists of a rotating drum with multiple holes of varying dimensions on its surface. As the drum rotates, fish enter the holes, driven by the force of gravity and the gentle vibrations produced by the drum's rotation. The vibration causes the fish to move towards the bottom of the hole, where typically one or two fish will fit through. Larger fish unable to pass through the hole will be retained in the drum, while smaller ones will fall through into designated collection containers situated beneath the drum.

Static mechanical fish graders

In this fish grading system, a sieve with several holes of different sizes is placed at an angle from the horizontal. Fish are placed on the sieve and allowed to roll down the surface. Gravity causes the fish to move towards the bottom of the holes. The fish that are small enough will fall through the holes, while the bigger ones will remain on the sieve. Vibration can be manually induced to facilitate the grading process.

Liquid immersion fish graders

This type of fish grading relies on a liquid solution as the grading medium. It utilizes a liquid that contains a grading facilitator. The facilitator creates an environment that promotes different fish sizes to submerge at different depths. It is ideal for grading fish that are too small.

Commercial fish grader features

Here are the critical features of fish graders:

Grading holes

Grading holes are important features and are responsible for the grading functionality. The holes differ in size depending on the grading needs. The graders' size varies from 2 to 16 mm, but the commonest is between 5 and 10 mm. Holes smaller than 5 mm are used for grading very small fish or shellfish, while those above 10 mm are suitable for larger seafood.

Vibrator frequency

A vibrator's frequency helps in determining the classifier's efficiency. This is because the right frequency will allow the user to sort fish into several categories within one run. However, the frequency should not be set high because it may cause damage to the fish. On the other hand, if set too low, it may lead to congestion and slow down the grading process.

Vibrator amplitude

Vibrator amplitude influences the quantity of the material that passes through the grading holes. High amplitude means that more fish will pass through, while low amplitude means only a few will. Amplitude should be set according to the grading materials' mass or fish size.

Vibrator time delay

Vibrator time delay provides the necessary pauses in between the vibrations. This feature allows the fish to reorganize themselves, thus reducing congestion. Proper time delay adjustment is also essential to ensure that delicate fish species are not damaged by excessive vibrations.

Control panel

Most modern fish graders are equipped with electronic control panels that allow users to set grading criteria easily.

Commercial uses of fish graders

Fish graders are primarily used in the fish farming and fishing industries to enable the distribution of fish and seafood products based on size.

Sorting based on size

Fish graders facilitate the separation of fish into various sizes. Different fish sizes are then required for distinct processing needs. For instance, larger fish sizes are ideal for filleting and steak preparation, while smaller fish are used for processing such as fish meals or fish feeds.

Quality control

Fish graders ensure the sorted fish meets market or customer requirements. Adhering to specific size standards, which vary from one customer to another, enhances the product's overall quality.

Preventing damage during transportation

Transportation of fish during storage exposes them to various temperature and humidity levels, which can affect their quality. Classifying fish reduces the likelihood of fish being damaged or spoiling when exposed to the harsh shipping conditions. Graded fish are transported together to minimize the different sizes from being exposed to harsh conditions that can cause harm to them.

Increasing profitability

Fish graders help to keep a uniform fish size within the production line, thus improving the end product's quality. This leads to better profitability as graded fish fetch higher prices within the wholesale or retail markets.

Labelling

Grading the fish helps ensure the right information about the fish is indicated. For instance, the size sorted and the quantity can be reflected on the labels. This enhances and facilitates traceability.

Maximizing processing efficiency

Incorporating fish graders within the fish processing systems help improve efficiency. For instance, fish grading enables the quick separation of fish, therefore saving time. This contributes to smoother operations and higher output rates during processing.

How to choose fish grader

Choosing the ideal fish grader among the wide variety available depends on several factors.

Fish species

The preferred fish species significantly influence the fish grading system selection. Graders should be chosen according to how delicate and how big the fish species are. For instance, the shellfish grader is suitable for grading delicate species such as prawns and crabs. On the other hand, mechanical graders like the rotating or static ones are ideal for larger fish species like salmon and tilapia.

Scalability

Consider the current production output before investing in grading systems. If at present the demand is low, then choose the smaller graders. But if the demand is likely to grow in the near future, opt for the larger graders that can serve future needs.

Automation

Automatic fish graders are suitable for large-scale fish farming or fishery industries. They are efficient and require minimal manpower. Conversely, manual grading is ideal for smaller operations, such as in coastal areas, specifically where small-scale fish farming is practiced.

Budget and cost implications

Fish grading systems have a large price range, depending on the kind and complexity of the model. Automatic fish graders are generally more costly than manual ones. Moreover, operational costs are also essential for considerations. Mechanical graders have higher operational costs due to power requirements. Conversely, manual fish graders have lower operational costs, but the labor costs can be high depending on the location.

Maintenance and support

Some fish grading systems are more complicated and require more frequent servicing, such as mechanical fish graders. Others are simpler and require less service time, such as the liquid immersion graders. Understanding the maintenance needs of various fish grading systems is crucial, particularly regarding long-term usage.

Q&A

Q1. How does grading impact fish quality during storage and transport?

A1. Grading fish according to size helps to equalize the fish based on similar characteristics. This reduces the chances of delicate fish being damaged during transportation. Graders play a crucial role in maintaining the fish's ideal temperature and moisture levels and hence its quality.

Q2. Are fish graders suitable for both freshwater and saltwater species?

A2. Yes, all fish graders are versatile enough to be used on both freshwater and saltwater fish. The graders should be appropriately chosen according to the characteristics of the fish species.

Q3. Can a fish grader handle multiple species concurrently?

A3. Fish graders can be used to sort different fish species as long as the species have similar size requirements. The grading holes should, therefore, be standardized to the preferred sizes.

Q4. How frequently should fish graders be maintained to ensure they remain in good condition?

A4. Maintenance frequency is dependent on the grading type and frequency. However, most mechanical graders require frequent examination and servicing, while manual and pneumatic graders require less maintenance.

Q5. What impact does fish grading have on the market value of fish products?

A5. Grading fish helps to sort the fish into uniform sizes that improve its marketability. Thus graded fish usually fetch higher prices in the market than ungraded ones.