If you want to make your production line faster, cheaper and more effective, Fieldhouse Engineering can help you find a solution.
Whether electrical, mechanical or hydraulic, we can investigate and implement some of the best ways to get the most out of your production processes.
Case Study: Willow Farm – Sorting and Separating
In 2025, we were approached by a local willow farm to assist in optimizing their production processes for certain products.
Willow farming presents unique challenges, as there are no standardized industrial machines available. Tasks such as planting, sorting, and post-processing typically require manual labour or custom-designed equipment. Our client had simple, but labour intensive solutions in place that we adapted, enhanced and optimised with custom machinery to eliminate these tedious tasks.
Hydraulic Willow Sorting
One area of our assistance involved a hydraulic willow sorting machine, which separates bundles of willow into different lengths. This was done manually using an array of levers, a slow and cumbersome approach that required extensive training and skill to operate effectively.
By utilizing solenoid actuators, retrofitting sensors onto the existing equipment and coding the control sequences, we allowed a single user to simply select the correct program, and the machine would do the rest. This transformed the sorting process, increasing productivity dramatically.
Charcoal Separator
A system was required to efficiently separate individual pieces of willow charcoal for scanning on a conveyor belt and subsequent sorting. Existing systems demanded continuous loading and supervision, effectively requiring two operators. Our client requested the development of a bespoke solution to allow operation by a single individual through a custom-designed charcoal hopper and separator.
To improve the system, we took the following actions:
- Increased Capacity: Leveraging our expertise in sheet metal fabrication, we extended the device to hold five times the previous amount of charcoal, significantly reducing the frequency of refilling and downtime.
- Vibration Motor Implementation: We customized the system by integrating a vibration mechanism into the existing architecture. This addition facilitated the consistent flow of charcoal through the sorting process.
- Adjustability Features: After consultation with our clients, we identified the need for greater flexibility. Accordingly, we incorporated adjustable height, angle, and speed controls into the device, enabling it to accommodate various operational requirements.
The final system was capable of sorting over 1,000 pieces of charcoal in just over five minutes with minimal supervision, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity.