Metra Electronics 6AS-68 User manual

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GRAIN COLOR SORTER
USER’S MANUAL
Please read this Manual carefully before use and keep it properly.
METRA GROUP INC.

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CONTENTS
Part I: Product Introduction
Chapter 1 Product Overview
Chapter 2 Product Model and Significance
Chapter 3 Working Principles and Product Structure
Chapter 3 Product Specifications and Technical Parameters
Chapter 4 Model parameters
Part II: Instructions for Product Installation
Chapter 1 Safety Precautions and Installation Instructions
1.1 Safety signs
1.2 Safety signs and degree of danger
1.3 Installation instructions
Chapter 2 System composition of color sorter
2.1 Feeding system
2.2 Photoelectric system
2.3 Sorting system
2.4 Dust removal system
2.5 Human-machine interface
2.6 Electrical control box
Chapter 3 Installation (mechanical part)
3.1 Machine installation instructions
3.2 Machine installation
3.2.1 Installation of single-channel slide machine
3.2.2 Installation of ten-channel slide machine
Chapter 4 Electrical Installation Instructions
4.1 Gas source installation
4.2 Electric installation
4.2.1 Main isolation switch
4.2.2 Isolation transformer, voltage regulator and ground rod
4.2.3 Host power supply
4.2.4 Circuit board used by the host

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Part III: Operation Instructions
Chapter 1 Operating Notice
1.1 Operating Notice
1.1.1 Overview
1.1.2 Warning
Chapter 2 Operation Guide
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Overview
2.3. Operating level
2.4. Display
2.5. Confirmation before the machine runs
2.6 Operation steps
2.6.1. Boot process
2.6.2. Shutdown process
2.6.3. Authorization
2.6.4. Main operation interface
2.6.5. Menu->Memory
2.6.6. Menu->Image
2.6.7 Menu->AI
2.6.8 Menu->Settings->Client settings
2.6.9 Menu->Settings->Engineering settings (use with caution)
2.6.10 Menu->Settings->Factory settings (use with caution)
Mode setting comparison table
Part IV: After-sales Service
Chapter 1 Maintenance and Replacement of Consumables
1.1 Maintenance
1.2 Dust cleaning
Chapter 2 Common faults and solutions
Chapter 3 List of Consumables
Chapter 4 Warranty and After-sales Service

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Chapter 1 Product Overview
The color sorter is used to sort good materials and bad materials in materials according to color, shape, material
of materials, for example, removing moldy rice in a pile of rice or removing grey stones in a pile of white marble.
The color sorter of Metra Group is currently the leading color sorting equipment in the domestic market. It adopts
the most advanced high-tech product integrating light, machine, electricity, gas and camera in the industry.
It also uses the company’s latest intelligent color touch display, which has a simple and intuitive operation
interface and can be easily identified and automatically adjusted. The dual-view lens structure is designed to
easily identify small chromatic aberrations. Infrared camera with compound use strengthens performance of the
color sorter and improves flexibility and applicability during use. The distributor has low noise, small jitter, large
vibration and more uniform material distribution. The mechatronics design makes the structure of the whole
machine more stable, improves the service life and makes maintenance easier. With advanced self-injection
nozzle and valve drive mode, it features fast response speed, more accurate impact, small take-out ratio, large
output and reduced gas consumption. At present, the color sorting technology is leading in the world, and is
widely used in the sorting of bad materials with color difference in rice, grains, industrial raw materials and other
materials.
This is a high-tech product with strict requirements for installation, operation, use and maintenance. Therefore,
it must be operated by qualified personnel. The operator must be trained according to the training requirements
of the company and must operate in accordance with the instructions of installation, operation and maintenance.
For any unsettled affairs in this book, please contact our company for consultation: After-sales service
[phone].
It is subject to change without notice due to the improvement of the machine performance and technology.
Chapter 2 Product Model and Significance
Significance is the trademark of the company
Description of agricultural machinery number
6AS-68 is the model of the color sorter of the company
“6AS”: color sorter
“68”: indicates number of nozzle units
A number of channels of the color sorter: One channel is corresponding to one group of nozzles
and one group of nozzles is 68 nozzle units. If two channels are corresponding to 136 nozzles, ten
channels are corresponding 680 nozzle units.
PART I:
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION

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Chapter 3 Working Principles and Product Structure
The working principle: the materials enter the machine from the hopper in the top and are sent to the top of the
slide way through the vibration of the vibrator device. The materials accelerate down along the slide way, enter
the observation area in the sorting box, and pass through the LED light and the background plate. Under the
scanning of the HD lens, the system generates an output signal, drives the solenoid valve to work, and blows
the materials with the color difference into the defect cavity of the receiving hopper through the self-injection
nozzle, and the good materials fall into the good product cavity of the hopper to achieve the sorting effect.
Diagram 1-1 shows working principle of small color sorter and small color sorter includes multi-functional micro
color sorter, single-channel slide color sorter, double-channel color sorter, three-channel slide color sorter.
Diagram 1-2 shows working principle of large color sorter and large color sorter includes four-channel slide
color sorter to ten-channel slide color sorter.
1-1 Working Principle Diagram of small Color Sorter 1-2 Working Principle Diagram of large Color Sorter
Properties and Parameters Table of Machine
No. Raw
material
Impurity
content (%)
Selection
rate (%)
Carryover Note: The above performance parameters
are based on 5% impurities, and the specific
indicators will vary due to impurities.
Remark: The parameters are subject to
change without notice!
Carryover: 3:1 refers to blowing out 3
defective products may have 1 non-defective
product in average.
1 Rice 5 ≥99.99 6:1
1 Peanut 5 ≥99 3:1
1 Corn kernels 5 ≥99 3:1
1 Pistachio 5 ≥99 3:1

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Chapter 4 Model parameters
Metra 6AS-68 single-channel slide color sorter
Metra 6AS-68 Parameters of Single-Channel Slide Color Sorter
Machine system Agricultural
machinery number
Number of execution
units (pcs)
Production (depending
on the material)
Power supply
voltage (V/Hz)
Fifth generation
system 6AS-68 68 40-80 bushels/hour 1.0-2.0 tons/hour 220/50
Power (Kw) Gas source
pressure (Mpa) Gas consumption Machine weight Dimensions
0.4-0.5 0.4-0.6 <20 CFM
<500 L/min
595 lb
270 kg
36.3*61.8*76.9 in
922*1569*1953 mm

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Metra 6AS-136 double-channel slide color sorter
Metra 6AS-136 Parameters of double-channel slide color sorter
Machine system Agricultural
machinery number
Number of execution
units (pcs)
Production (depending
on the material)
Power supply
voltage (V/Hz)
Fifth generation
system 6AS-136 136 80-160 bushels/hour 2-4 tons/hour 220/50
Power (Kw) Gas source
pressure (Mpa) Gas consumption Machine weight Dimensions
0.8-0.9 0.4-0.6 <35 CFM
<1000 L/min
816 lb
370 kg
49.6*61.9*77.5 in
1259*1571*1969 mm

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Metra 6AS-204 three-channel slide color sorter
Metra 6AS-204 Parameters of three-channel slide color sorter
Machine system Agricultural
machinery number
Number of execution
units (pcs)
Production (depending
on the material)
Power supply
voltage (V/Hz)
Fifth generation
system 6AS-204 204 120-240 bushels/hour 3-6 tons/hour 220/50
Power (Kw) Gas source
pressure (Mpa) Gas consumption Machine weight Dimensions
1.2-1.3 0.4-0.6 <53 CFM
<1500 L/min
1059 lb
480 kg
58.1*61.9*105.9 in
1476*1572*2691 mm

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Metra 6AS-272 four-channel slide color sorter
Metra 6AS-272 Parameters of four-channel slide color sorter
Machine system Agricultural
machinery number
Number of execution
units (pcs)
Production (depending
on the material)
Power supply
voltage (V/Hz)
Fifth generation
system 6AS-272 272 160-320 bushels/hour 4-6 tons/hour 220/50
Power (Kw) Gas source
pressure (Mpa) Gas consumption Machine weight Dimensions
4.2-4.6 0.6-0.8 <70 CFM
<2000 L/min
2117 lb
960 kg
90*67.8*111.5 in
2286*1720*2834 mm

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Metra 6AS-340 five-channel slide color sorter
Metra 6AS-340 Parameters of five-channel slide color sorter
Machine system Agricultural
machinery number
Number of execution
units (pcs)
Production (depending
on the material)
Power supply
voltage (V/Hz)
Fifth generation
system 6AS-340 340 200-400 bushels/hour 5-10 tons/hour 220/50
Power (Kw) Gas source
pressure (Mpa) Gas consumption Machine weight Dimensions
4.3-5.0 0.6-0.8 <88 CFM
<2500 L/min
2359 lb
1070 kg
103.3*67.7*111.5 in
2624*1720*2834 mm

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Metra 6AS-476 seven-channel slide color sorter
Metra 6AS-476 Parameters of seven-channel slide color sorter
Machine system Agricultural
machinery number
Number of execution
units (pcs)
Production (depending
on the material)
Power supply
voltage (V/Hz)
Fifth generation
system 6AS-476 476 280-560 bushels/hour 7-14 tons/hour 220/50
Power (Kw) Gas source
pressure (Mpa) Gas consumption Machine weight Dimensions
6.6-6.8 0.6-0.8 <125 CFM
<3500 L/min
3197 lb
1450 kg
117.5*61.3*88.3 in
2984*1556*2242 mm

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Metra 6AS-680 seven-channel slide color sorter
Metra 6AS-680 Parameters of seven-channel slide color sorter
Machine system Agricultural
machinery number
Number of execution
units (pcs)
Production (depending
on the material)
Power supply
voltage (V/Hz)
Fifth generation
system 6AS-680 680 400-800 bushels/hour 10-20 tons/hour 220/50
Power (Kw) Gas source
pressure (Mpa) Gas consumption Machine weight Dimensions
9.5-10.0 0.6-0.8 <175 CFM
<5000 L/min
4850 lb
2200 kg
172.8*62.6*115.3 in
4390*1590*2928 mm

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PART II: INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRODUCT INSTALLATION
Chapter 1 Safety Precautions and Installation Instructions
The color sorter is a high-tech product integrating light, mechanical, electricity and air, and has strict requirements for
installation, operation, use and maintenance, especially the use of air source and power source. There are warnings on this
manual and on the machine. All installation, operation and maintenance personnel must read this manual carefully, install
and operate it in strict accordance with the regulations.
1.1 Safety signs
The safety signs are divided into four categories: prohibition, warning, instructions and prompts, which are applicable to
all contents in this manual.
All machines have clearly labled safety signs in hazardous areas, including the following three types:
1. Red mark: used to prohibit certain actions;
2. Yellow mark: used for some hazard warnings;
3. Blue mark: used to specify mandatory behavior.
1.2 Safety signs and degree of danger
No. Graphic mark Content
1
Warning
1. Only qualified personnel are allowed to open, or potentially the color
sorter will not work properly.
2. The precision main control circuit of the color sorter is built in the
electrical box. Do not open it in order to prevent dust from entering.
2
Warning
1. For your safety, please ensure reliable grounding.
2. The power supply must be properly grounded.
3
Attention
The display is the main monitoring component of the color sorter. It is fragile
and easily damaged. Please wipe the screen with a soft cloth. Do not apply
too much force and do not tap.
4
Hoisting operation
A yellow hazard symbol attached to the feeder frame indicates that the
lifting of the unit is prohibited.
5
Hot surface
A yellow hazard symbol attached to the surface of an LED lamp assembly or
other object that may cause overheating indicates a high temperature in the
area.
6
Rotating gear
Attached to the large electrical box of the machine, indicating that the
machine has a rotating gear, and the operator shall pay attention to avoid
injury.
7
Mind your hands
Attached to the location where injury may take place, indicating that the
instructions in the Manual should be strictly followed in this location.

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No. Graphic mark Content
8
Ground wire
Attached to the bottom of the machine, indicating that the shell in this place
should be connected to the ground wire.
9
Air outlet
A red prohibition mark on the filter assembly indicates the air pressure limit
of the machine.
10 No electric drill
Indicates that drilling on the rack is prohibited
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Refer to the Manual
A blue round mark attached to the discharge hopper of the machine
indicates that the manual should be viewed before replacing the dusting
brush or other operations that may occur in the optical color sorting area.
1.3 Installation instructions
1. Please pay attention to safety during unpacking and inspection! Avoid unnecessary damage when unpacking, check
the number of parts according to the packing list, and keep them safe to avoid loss.
2. The lifting position of the whole machine is shown in Figure (2-1); please check whether the lifting ring is loose when
lifting the vibrating feeding assembly. If it is loose, please tighten it immediately to prevent accidents.
3. This product should not work in any environment with low temperature, high temperature, high humidity, strong
magnetic field, strong light, or dust.
4. After 8 hours of continuous operation, the product must be shut down for dust removal.
5. Grounding method: Weld with copper core screw, and the welding points must be wrapped with asphalt; the production
method is as shown below.
6. To prevent static interference from the machine, the user must use the iron pipe instead of plastic pipes or other
non-metallic pipes for the feed pipe and the exhaust pipe.
7. The air compressor provided by the user shall comply with the relevant national laws, regulations and standards.
8. User power supply terminal should be equipped with a dustproof device to prevent dust damage.
Fig. 1-1 Grounding wire production diagram

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Chapter 2 System composition of color sorter
2.1 Feeding system
It consists of components such as the feed hopper and the vibrating feeder chute. The materials enter the machine from
the hopper in the top and are sent to the top of the slide way through the vibration of the vibrator device. The materials
accelerate down along the slide way, enter the observation area in the sorting box. The vibrator controls its vibration
amplitude by an electrical box to achieve overall flow regulation. In addition to providing raw materials to the color sorter,
the feeding system can also control the output of the color sorter per unit time by adjusting the flow control plate of the
feed hopper and the vibration amount of the vibration hopper.
2.2 Photoelectric system
The photoelectric system is the core part of the color sorter and is mainly composed of LED lights, background plate, lens
and related auxiliary devices. LED lights provide stable uniform illumination for the material measuring and background
plate. The lens captures the signal of the material being tested in the material detection area and feeds the signal back to
the control panel. The background plate provides a reference signal for the electronic control system, which compares the
color difference with the good material and eliminates defect material.
2.3 Sorting system
The sorting system consists of the discharge hopper, high-speed electromagnetic jet valve, air compressor (optional) and
air filter purifier. The discharge hopper consists of front and rear cavities, receives the finished products and defective
products of the color sorting materials according to the custom color sorting mode. There are dust suction ports on both
sides, and the diameter of the discharge port is Ø4.7in. Since the kinetic energy of the material after being sprayed through
the high-speed injection valve is large, the hopper space should be large enough, and shock absorbing measures should
be taken at the contact portion between the material and the discharge hopper in order to prevent the materials entering
the observation area. The high-speed electromagnetic jet valve ejects compressed air when receiving the execution
command to blow out the defect in the selected material. The Pneumatic high-speed injection valve has proved by trial
and error that the interval and the number of valves are one of the key factors affecting the accuracy of the color sorter.
2.4 Dust removal system
The dust removal system consists of a rodless cylinder and a cleaning device. As the material will produce dust and other
impurities that may adhere to the glass during the color sorting process, once too much dust and impurities are attached
to the window glass, the photoelectric system that sorts and detects the material through the window glass is prone to
chain problems such as false detection. It may affect the color sorting accuracy and color sorting ratio, and even cause
the jet valve to work frequently, reducing the life of the jet valve and control system, and even burning the valve control
system. The cleaning device is installed on the rodless cylinder, and the master control system pushes the cylinder piston
to regularly clean the dust on the glass by controlling the cylinder valve switch at preset time.
Note: The user must install a vacuuming device (the suction fan is provided by the user) to reduce dust in the enclosed
cavity, or else it will directly affect the life of the machine and the color sorting effect.
2.5 Human-machine interface
A large-screen wide-angle color touch operation platform is used to preset multiple color sorting modes for customers.
A friendly human-machine interface is established, achieving convenient and quick adjustment according to the specific
conditions of the material.
2.6 Electrical control box
The electrical control box is fully sealed to protect against lightning, short circuit and electric leakage. It is mainly a control
system composed of a microcomputer, which is the control core of the machine. The system automatically collects,
amplifies and processes digital signals. The control system sends a command to drive the jet valve, ejects compressed air,
blows out the rejects, completes the color sorting function and achieves the refining purpose. The electronic control part
has the functions of sensitivity (color sorting accuracy) adjustment, flow adjustment, automatic cleaning timing adjustment,
air pressure warning, heater control, fault self-test and jet valve inspection. The pneumatic system is equipped with a filter
valve, a distribution valve and a pressure regulating valve to provide high-purity compressed gas to the machine.

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Chapter 3 Installation (mechanical part)
Note: The color sorter and air supply system of METRA Photoelectric are installed by the user by referring to the drawings.
Our engineers can provide telephone guidance, the company’s personnel are responsible for debugging, and the user
hall check and accept on site.
3.1 Machine installation instructions
The ground should be flat and all the feet of the machine should be on the ground. Make sure that the ground wire is
properly connected. When installing stands over 20in, the connector between stands should be fixed.
Note: If the installation location is not properly selected, it may cause the machine to work abnormally or even cause
injury.
3.2 Machine installation
Machine shall be installed in practice according to actual diagram and real situation. The following is general
installation method of small machine and large machine, single-channel slide machine and ten-channel slide
machine are examples in detail.
3.2.1 Installation of single-channel slide machine
Fig. 3-2 Installation and Platform Size of The METRA Grain Color Sorter
Note: If this installation requirement can’t be met due to site restrictions,
please call our company.
3.2.2 Installation of ten-channel slide machine
Fig. 2-3 Installation of 6AS-680 color sorter
Note: The above is installation diagram of ten-
channel slide machine. Installation method is
not unique and the machine shall be installed
according to actual demand of client.

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Chapter 4 Electrical Installation Instructions
4.1 Gas source installation
The user must use oil-free anhydrous air compressor and configure a water-oil filter (some users must use a multi-stage
high-precision filtration system if using a screw air compressor, and periodically replace the filter element). Connect
the air path components with Ø1 (Dg25mm) in galvanized pipe or higher grade pipe. It is recommended to install the
air compressor in an isolated room that is closer to the machine (up to 50ft / 15m) so as to reduce noise and supply
sufficient pressure.
Warning - The aor storage tank is a pressure vessel. According to the Special Equipment Safety Supervision
Regulations issued by the State Council, “the user shall register the pressure vessel to the local special equipment
supervision and management department (Technical Supervision Bureau) and check regularly before putting it into
use or within 30 days after being put into use”. Please inform your company or individual to make necessary filing
procedures in accordance with this regulation.
The installation and operation of the gas path supply system should pay attention to the following matters:
1. Before all the pipes are connected, the debris and dust in the pipeline must be cleaned, and when connecting to the
main channel interface of the color sorter, the impurities and dust in the pipeline should be properly discharged to
prevent entering the pipeline of the color sorter.
2. Pipeline connected from the air compressor should be connected with high-energy hose (6.5ft) in order to avoid the
impact of vibration. The pipeline connected to the color sorter also uses a high-energy hose (9.8ft);
3. The air filtration system provided on the machine is a supplement to the user’s engineering air filtration system and
can’t be used as the only filtration method. Make sure the air supply is off before connecting and disconnecting the
pipeline and the fittings;
4. The operating temperature of air compressors and filters is generally 32-104°F; however, in winter (especially in the
north), the room temperature will drop below 32°F, hence they should be drained of sewage and air-dried at the end
of each operation, and insulation measures should be taken to keep the room temperature above 32°F. Otherwise, it
may cause the filter element and the pipe to freeze, which will not only block the flow of air, but also damage the filter
element and cause high maintenance costs;
5. The place where the air compressor is placed should be well ventilated, with a clean environment, flat ground level,
low air humidity and ambient temperature below 104°F; at least 20in service space should be reserved from the wall,
and avoid direct sunlight and rain;
6. The length of the pipeline between the air compressor and the air storage tank should be greater than 10ft, and the
air compressor and the air storage tank should be installed in different spaces;
7. The pre-stage filter equipped with the machine should be kept away from the air compressor as far as possible to
ensure that the function of the filter can be fully exerted;
8. If it is found that the pressure gauge on the color sorter shows a significant drop in air pressure (more than 0.1 MPa),
the filter element on the pre-stage filter should be replaced in time. Never remove the filter element, or else it will
seriously affect and damage the filter element in the precision filter of the latter stage;
Diagram 2-4 to Diagram 2-6 provide connection diagram of compressed air cleaning system of multi-functional micro
machine, single-channel to ten-channel machine. Refer to the connection for the equipment that needs to be added by the
user. It is subject to the actual situation. Please consult the qualified personnel when installing on site.
4.2 Electric installation
4.2.1 Main isolation switch
Some countries require that the mains of the power supply must be connected through a separate isolation switch, so
the customer shall provide a separate isolation switch in advance.
4.2.2 Isolation transformer, voltage regulator and ground rod
In the case of unstable power supply voltage or subject to other heavy equipment and other factors, the following
precautions are recommended in order to achieve the maximum reliable use of the color sorter:

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Diagram 2-4 Gas Diagram (single-channel, multi-functional micro machine)
1. Install a power conditioner with built-in isolation device or an isolation transformer with a power conditioner between
the power supply and the machine;
2. In order to ensure the safety of power supply and the reliability of machine operation, high-quality grounding connection
is required. The grounding resistance should be as low as possible (<1Ω). It is recommended that each machine must
have a dedicated grounding.
I. Isolation transformer and voltage regulator installation
Overvoltage protection is required.
II. Ground rod installation
For reliable grounding, the grounding rod must meet the following conditions:
1. There must be a high quality connection or bonding between the ground rod and the ground cable;
2. The resistance value of the grounding cable should be as low as possible;
3. The grounding of the machine frame with the surrounding metal parts, the machine itself, the power conditioner and
the isolation transformer must have a high quality connection or bonding;
4. Isolation from ground currents of other equipment.

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Diagram 2-5 Gas diagram (double-channel, three-channel slide machine)
Diagram 2-6 Gas diagram (four-channel to ten-channel slide machine)

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In order to ensure high-quality grounding, a good grounding rod must be provided. The grounding should be kept moist as
dry ground cannot provide low-resistance grounding. The ground rod will rust over time and needs to be replaced since
the resistance of the grounding will increase in dry weather. After the grounding rod is installed, the grounding resistance
must be checked.
All power and grounding must be done by a qualified electrician. The machine grounding input (machine power input)
must be well connected to ensure thorough grounding. All machine frames must be connected to any support frame and
grounded independently. The support frame must also be connected to the feeding and discharging device. Where there
is no support rod, the machine must be grounded directly and independently. Any other conductors close to the machine
must also be grounded. It is strongly recommended that the feed, discharge or suction lines be made of metal and must
be properly grounded to avoid static electricity.
In order to improve the safety of the power supply and the reliability of machine operation, a high quality ground connection
is required. The grounding resistance should be as low as possible. Theoretically, the resistance should be less than 1Ω. It
is recommended that each machine must have dedicated grounding.
Here’s how to implement all of these conditions:
1. Connection of ground rod to ground cable The connection between the grounding rod and the grounding cable is
to crimp the grounding cable into a ring and secure it to the grounding rod with nuts and bolts. The connection point
should be treated with anti-corrosion sealing.
2. Ground cable The cable connecting the machine to the ground rod usually requires a separately insulated copper
stranded cable.
3. Connection to the machine frame It is best to buckle the cable between the grounding cable and the machine frame
and fasten it to the wire hole of the machine with M8 bolt and washer.
4. Connection to surrounding metal parts The ground studs of the machine frame must be joined to the surrounding
metal parts, preferably with nut and bolt.
4.2.3 Host power supply
The external power supply of the main unit used in this machine is single-phase AC 220V±10%, 60HZ. It is required to be
equipped with electric control cabinet facilities within 16.4ft of the mains AC power inlet.
4.2.4 Circuit board used by the host
According to the various functions that the machine is to achieve, the machine mainly has the following types of boards:
Channel board, solenoid valve drive board, vibrating cleaning board, panel light board.
The functions implemented by each board:
1. Channel board: Controls the rotation of the beam splitter, receives the signal sent from the trigger board, and forwards
spray valve and panel light parameters.
2. Solenoid valve drive board: Controls and drives the solenoid valve.
3. Vibrating cleaning board: Controls the vibration frequency of the vibrator and the cleaning brush, the valve and the
feeding power switch.
4. Panel light board: Displays the valve status of front and rear channel plate in real-time.