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Metal processing

LIBS Sorting

Precise LIBS sorting for maximum material purity

Large municipal solid waste processing plant featuring NIR sorting technology and SPALECK screening machines in the preliminary stage

Your Experts in LIBS Sorting

Our team would be happy to advise you on NIR sorting and how SPALECK technology can help you get the most out of your NIR system.

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Sorting

What is LIBS sorting?

LIBS sorting enables the precise analysis and separation of different materials within modern recycling and production processes.

Sensor-based technologies can be used to detect, classify, and automatically sort materials.

Typical applications:

  • Metals recovery
  • Aluminum Sorting
  • Scrap Processing
  • Plastic Separation
  • Raw Material Recovery
A man in a white shirt and jeans is pointing to the side.

Do you have an idea for a project?

Quick & Easy Way to Achieve the Optimal LIBS Sorting Process

Simply send us a photo of your material and the key details about the project, and we’ll get back to you right away.

Practical Example: Screening, Shredding, Sorting

How LIBS Sorting Technology Benefits from Optimal Screening and Feeding

In the video, you can see one of Europe’s most modern household waste treatment facilities. The NIR sorting machines used benefit directly from their integration with SPALECK screening machines.

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Film processing with NIR sorting equipment—SPALECK screening machines first deliver the optimal fractions for accurate material detection

Why Sorting Is So Difficult

The Challenge of Modern Material Sorting

Large volumes of material, varying material compositions, and increasing purity requirements are making modern sorting processes increasingly challenging.

In LIBS sorting, the surface of a material is analyzed using a laser pulse. Within milliseconds, the system identifies the elemental composition and automatically assigns the material to the appropriate fraction.

The challenge here is that materials often differ only in very minor components or alloy proportions. At the same time, large quantities must be accurately analyzed and sorted in the shortest possible time. In order for the technology to reach its full potential, stable process conditions and uniform material presentation are also crucial.

Even small deviations can:

  • reduce the sorting quality
  • make material identification more difficult
  • Mis-sorting causes
  • Increase material losses
  • compromise the cost-effectiveness of the process

In addition to sensor technology, therefore, the preparation and feeding of the material also play an important role in ensuring reliable sorting results.

Recycling plant with a conveyor belt for NIR sorting of materials.

Why Feeding Is Crucial

Precise LIBS sorting begins with the material feed

For sensor-based sorting systems to operate reliably, the material must be fed into the system in an even, controlled, and optimally distributed manner.

Because:

Only a homogeneous material flow makes it possible to:

  • precise analysis
  • Precise material identification
  • High throughput rates
  • maximum sorting accuracy

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Disadvantages

Challenges and Limitations of LIBS Sorting

LIBS sorting is one of the most precise technologies for material identification. Nevertheless, it places high demands on the entire sorting process and the plant environment.

Typical challenges include:

  • Fluctuating Material Compositions
  • High Standards for Material Presentation
  • Impairments caused by dirt or deposits
  • Complex material flows with varying particle sizes
  • High Quality Standards for Sorting Results
  • Possible misclassifications under unfavorable process conditions
  • Increasing demands for efficiency and throughput

To fully harness the potential of LIBS technology, all process steps must be optimally coordinated with one another. In addition to sensor technology, the uniform and controlled feeding of the material also plays an important role.

Only the combination of precise analysis and optimal process conditions enables maximum sorting accuracy, high levels of purity, and cost-effective results.

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Advantages

The Benefits of Our Technology for You

  • Uniform material flow
    For optimal sensor performance.
  • Higher sorting accuracy
  • Fewer missed shots and turnovers.
  • Maximum throughput
  • Efficient processes for high volumes.
  • Rugged, industrial-grade quality
    For continuous use in recycling operations.
  • Less maintenance required
  • Reliable and durable technology.
  • Customizable—tailored to your system and materials.
A tension-shaft screening machine (Flip-Flow screen) located upstream of a sorting machine at a household waste recycling facility. The SPALECK tension-shaft screening machine produces precisely screened material. Screening out the fine particles helps ensure that the subsequent sensor sorting (Tomra Machine) can function optimally.

Our Solution

Machine Solutions for Optimal LIBS Sorting

Our systems ensure optimal preparation and feeding of materials within modern sorting facilities.

These include:

  • Screening Technology
  • Material Handling, etc.
Module with machine solutions here

Our Spaleck Best Sellers for Recycling

The optimal technology for every type of recyclable material

Why Off-the-Shelf Solutions Are Often Insufficient

Why Conventional Feeding Systems Reach Their Limits

An irregular material feed often results in:

  • Overlaps
  • Measurement Errors
  • lower sorting quality
  • unnecessary material losses

Especially for:

  • varying materials
  • high throughput
  • fine fractions
  • complex recycling processes

Standard solutions quickly reach their limits.

Test Center for Screening Machines and Recycling Technology at SPALECK, the manufacturer

Applications

Applications of Our Systems

Examples:

  • Metals recovery
  • etc……

References

If we already have machines in use that are related to LIBS sorting

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READY FOR BETTER SCREENING

Together, we optimize your recycling process

What materials can be sorted?

What role does material preparation play before sorting?

For which industries is LIBS sorting suitable?

What machines are needed?

Can existing systems be expanded?