Scrap sorting system

A method of sorting scrap particles comprising:

• imaging a moving conveyor containing scrap particles using a vision system to create an image of the conveyor containing scrap particles, the image corresponding to a timed location of the conveyor;
• employing a control unit executing instructions to analyze the image as a matrix of cells;
• employing the control unit executing instructions to identify cells in the matrix containing a particle by distinguishing the particle from a background indicative of the conveyor;
• employing the control unit executing instructions to calculate a color input for the particle from a color model by determining color components for each cell in the matrix associated with the particle;
• generating and directing a light beam to the particle on the conveyor downstream of the vision system and within a target area using a scanner assembly including a beam deflector;
• isolating and measuring at least one emitted band of light from the particle in the target area at a selected frequency band using a detector to provide a signal indicative of spectral data for the particle to the control unit;
• employing the control unit executing instructions to generate a data vector for the particle containing the color input and the spectral data;
• and
• employing the control unit executing instructions to classify the particle into one of at least two classifications of a material as a function of the data vector.