Every so often, I hear a bold claim from an equipment provider that goes something like this: “Our colour sorter is AI-powered. Just plug it in and hit play.” Sounds great in a brochure. But in reality? That’s not how it works.
Yes, AI is changing how colour sorters operate. I’ve seen it firsthand with our latest model from Cimbria. It’s impressive. You drop a sample on the tray, tell the machine what’s good and what’s bad, and it builds a sorting recipe that’s often better (and faster) than what I can do manually. That’s powerful. And for most customers, it’s a game changer.
But let me be clear: AI doesn’t replace skilled setup, commissioning or tech support.
Here’s why:
- AI still needs a proper starting point. If the machine isn’t calibrated properly — if the cameras aren’t looking in the right place or there’s a dull spot in the field of view — it doesn’t matter how smart your AI is. The first two days of setup? Still absolutely critical. That’s when I get the machine dialed in so AI can do its job.
- AI is smart — but it’s not you. AI can make great decisions fast, but only if it’s trained correctly. That means you need to know what to show it. Pick the right “bad” product, and you’re golden. Choose poorly, and your results won’t be what you expected. This is where training — human training — still matters.
- Remote support still saves the day. With AI or not, things happen. That’s why we built out remote support systems that let us diagnose and fix most issues without ever setting foot on-site. Whether it’s a bad board or a software hiccup, we’ve got diagrams, spare parts — and the know-how to walk customers through fixes fast and cost-effectively.
So, yes — AI has made sorting more accessible and efficient. It’s made the second visit we offer even more productive, because now customers have better questions after trying the machine themselves.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t need expert support. In fact, you might need it more than ever — just in different ways. My job has evolved. I’m not just turning wrenches. We’re helping customers train machines to do their jobs better — and making sure the setup behind the scenes is flawless.
At Nexeed, we love where AI is taking us. But we also know the truth: smart tech still needs smart people.
