The main merit of this research is to redesign a sorting machine for apple fruits. The machine consists of (1) weight measuring and control unit, (2) material conveying system, (3) pneumatic cylinders and reservoir, and (4) magnetic valves. To avoid injury, damage, and bruising via material handling, critical forces and velocities for Golab variety of apple fruits were calculated and measured as 46 N and 1 ms−1, respectively. Merge of experimental data and a signal processing technique, named peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), was employed to analyze and modify the automatic sorter. Furthermore, the unwanted impact of digitalization accuracy on the work quality was significantly reduced by using oversampling technique, which virtually enhances analog to digital converter (ADC) resolution. Signal processing-based optimization of the chassis decreased vibrations and noises and increased machine performance. Purchase price of $2000 was projected for the sorter with capacity of 130 kg h−1. Machine evaluation confirmed the efficiency of the concept and methodology for prototyping.
