According to China Powder Network, on May 24, 2024, the “Fourth National Symposium on Supply and Demand for Quartz Sand Used in Sheet Materials,” hosted by China Powder Network, was grandly held at the Shandong Linyi Huasheng Jiangquan City Hotel. During the event, we invited industry experts, academics, and distinguished business leaders to participate in a dialogue program for interviews and exchanges.

This issue features an exclusive interview with Sang Haibo, General Manager of Hefei Guxin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., conducted by China Powder Network.

China Powder Network: Mr. Sang, could you please introduce Hefei Guxin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.?

Mr. Sang: Gu Xin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. is a specialized manufacturer of color-sorting machines for the global mineral industry, operating with an international outlook and adhering to international standards. Our product range covers nearly one hundred types of metallic and non-metallic minerals, including quartz, fused quartz, glass, silica, barite, potassium feldspar, dolomite, fluorite, calcite, gypsum, calcium carbonate, crystal, marble, granite, salt mines, jade, phosphate rock, talc, brucite, garnet, wollastonite, pebbles, kaolin, molybdenum ore, alumina, copper oxide, rare-earth ores, hematite, tungsten, gold, and manganese—among others. Domestically, our sales are primarily concentrated in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Henan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Shandong, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Qinghai, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang. While firmly rooted in the domestic market, we maintain a global vision; our products have not only won the favor of high-end domestic customers but are also exported to dozens of countries and regions, including India, Vietnam, North Korea, Mongolia, Iran, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Russia. Since our establishment, we have consistently implemented a product R&D system characterized by high quality, stringent standards, a high starting point, and continuous innovation. The “Gu Xin” brand of mineral color-sorting machines steadfastly upholds the manufacturing philosophy of “perfect products,” and for many consecutive years, we have been recognized by China’s powder industry as an “Outstanding Supplier,” “Excellent Manufacturer,” “Quality Supplier,” and one of the “Top Ten Companies for After-Sales Service.” In 2019, we were named one of the “Top Ten Brands of Color-Sorting Machines in China” by China PinYou.com; in 2020, we received honors such as “AAA-Level Enterprise for Quality, Service, and Integrity,” “AAA-Level Credit Enterprise,” “AAA-Level Model Unit for Honest Business Practices,” “China’s Trusted Supplier,” and “AAA-Level Enterprise Committed to Honoring Contracts and Maintaining Credit”; in 2022, we were awarded the “Green Intelligent Manufacturing Crystal Ball Award” at the National Quartz Conference; in 2023, we were presented with the “Outstanding Contribution Award” at the 7th National Quartz Conference; and in the same year, we were recognized as an “Industry-Leading Enterprise” in the annual selection of the powder industry. “Building a world-renowned brand and establishing an internationally competitive enterprise” is the shared goal of every employee at Gu Xin. Upholding the corporate spirit of “serving the nation through science and technology,” we are committed to developing into a company with strong international competitiveness in the field of mineral color sorting.

China Powder Network: Hello, Mr. Sang. Could you please discuss the application of color sorting machines in the quartz stone industry?

Mr. Sang: Color sorting machines are extensively used in the quartz industry and play a critical role in quartz purification. Their primary applications include sorting raw quartz ore particles ranging from 3 to 8 millimeters in size, sorting particles between 0.5 and 3 millimeters, and sorting quartz sand with a mesh size of 4 to 140. The use of color sorting machines in the quartz industry offers several key advantages: 1. Enhanced Purity and Quality: By leveraging optical sensing technology and advanced image-processing algorithms, color sorting machines can automatically identify and remove impurities and non-conforming particles from quartz ore. This ensures that the final product meets stringent purity and quality standards, thereby enhancing market competitiveness. 2. Reduced Labor Costs: Traditional quartz sorting methods rely heavily on manual labor, which is inefficient and costly. In contrast, the automated operation of color sorting machines not only accelerates the sorting process but also significantly reduces reliance on human labor, leading to lower production costs. 3. Improved Production Efficiency: The high-efficiency sorting capability of color sorting machines enables continuous operation of the production line, substantially boosting overall productivity. These machines can handle large volumes of quartz feedstock, effectively eliminating bottlenecks in the production process. 4. Consistency and Traceability: Standardized operating procedures ensure consistent quality across each production batch. Moreover, modern color sorting machines are equipped with data-recording capabilities that allow for full traceability of the sorting process and results for every batch, facilitating quality management and problem resolution. 5. Reduced Waste: By precisely identifying and removing substandard particles, color sorting machines minimize waste of quartz raw material, improve raw-material utilization, and align with environmental protection and sustainable-development goals. 6. Increased Product Value: High-quality quartz products command higher market value. With the aid of color sorting, companies can produce goods that meet the demands of the premium market segment, thereby strengthening brand image and expanding market share. The application of color sorting machines in the quartz industry not only enhances product quality and production efficiency but also delivers significant economic benefits and competitive advantages. As technology continues to advance, the prospects for further adoption of color sorting machines in the quartz sector are increasingly promising.

China Powder Network: Could you please share with us the common problems encountered during the daily operation of ore color sorters? And what maintenance and upkeep recommendations would you offer for these machines?

Mr. Sang: During daily operation, ore color sorters may encounter the following common issues: 1. Inaccurate impurity identification—due to factors such as lighting conditions and color similarity, the sorter may sometimes misidentify impurities within the ore, thereby compromising sorting performance. 2. Light source problems—color sorters rely on a light source for detection, and the brightness and stability of this light source are critical to sorting effectiveness. If the light source malfunctions—for example, if the lamp tubes have aged or been damaged—it will reduce the sorter’s operational efficiency. 3. Sensor failures—sensors are the core components of the color sorter; any sensor malfunction can prevent accurate detection and sorting of the ore. 4. Conveyor belt failures—wear, misalignment, or breakage of the conveyor belt can disrupt the normal conveyance of ore, thus affecting sorting efficiency. 5. Accumulation of dust and dirt—during the ore-sorting process, significant amounts of dust and dirt are generated; if these are not cleaned promptly, they can impair the accuracy of optical components and reduce overall equipment efficiency. The following maintenance and upkeep recommendations are provided for color sorters: 1. Regular cleaning—clean the sorter’s optical components, sensors, and conveyor belt daily or at the end of each shift to prevent the buildup of dust and dirt. 2. Light source inspection—periodically check the brightness and stability of the light source, and replace aged or damaged lamp tubes in a timely manner to ensure proper operation. 3. Sensor maintenance—regularly calibrate and inspect the sensors’ operating condition to ensure they can accurately identify impurities in the ore. If a fault is detected, repair or replace the sensor without delay. 4. Conveyor belt maintenance—regularly inspect the conveyor belt’s tension, wear condition, and operational status, and adjust or replace it as needed to prevent belt failures from disrupting production. 5. Lubrication maintenance—periodically lubricate the moving parts of the color sorter to reduce mechanical wear and ensure smooth operation. 6. Software upgrades—promptly upgrade the color sorter’s control software to optimize algorithms and functions, thereby enhancing sorting accuracy and efficiency. 7. Regular overhauls—establish a scheduled maintenance plan for the equipment, conduct comprehensive inspections and maintenance, identify potential problems early, and address them promptly to prevent unexpected breakdowns. By implementing these maintenance and upkeep measures, the service life of the ore color sorter can be effectively extended, its operational efficiency and sorting accuracy can be improved, and the stability and continuity of the production process can be ensured.

China Powder Network: As a professional manufacturer of color-sorting equipment, could you please discuss the advantages and innovations of Guxin’s color-sorting machines?

Mr. Sang: The key advantages of the Gu Xin color sorting machine are as follows: 1. An internationally advanced image and algorithm processing system based on DSP and FPGA technology, featuring complex multi-mode algorithms that integrate color and spatial information. It offers “color-plus-shape” sorting capabilities tailored to different materials, with fully customizable modes to accommodate virtually any type of material. 2. The camera imaging system employs imported camera chips, enabling high-definition identification, high-speed sorting, and ensuring image clarity and accuracy. 3. A proprietary self-actuated nozzle and valve drive system utilizes professional high-speed pneumatic valves, delivering rapid response, low power consumption, and extended service life; it reduces air consumption, increases response speed, enhances targeting precision, minimizes carryover, boosts throughput, and boasts a service life exceeding 10 billion cycles. 4. A state-of-the-art LED optical design for the lighting system, with multiple light-source options to suit various materials; this addresses common issues with LED lights such as excessive heat, significant degradation, and shortened lifespan due to prolonged use, thereby ensuring stable temperature control and long-lasting performance. 5. The feeding system incorporates an advanced material-supply detection mechanism to ensure uniform material flow. 6. The belt-type conveyor adopts a specialized track-based transmission structure, delivering excellent color-sorting performance and stable material transport, which effectively improves carryover rates and sorting purity while significantly reducing material breakage during the sorting process. 7. Highly flexible operating modes with broad applicability—customized work modes are designed for different materials, allowing a single machine to handle color sorting across a wide range of products. 8. A user-friendly operating system: a touch-screen interface provided by a professional manufacturer, featuring an intuitive human–machine interface, clearly organized operation menus, and simplified settings, enabling users to quickly master all aspects of the color sorter’s functionality.

China Powder Network: As far as we know, you have been deeply engaged in the color-sorting equipment industry for many years. What prompted you to enter this field? And what recommendations do you have for the future development of China’s color-sorting equipment industry? Mr. Sang: The main reasons I chose the mineral color-sorting equipment sector are as follows: 1. Market Demand: Both domestic and international markets—particularly in the metal and non-metal mining sectors—are increasingly seeking ways to enhance product quality and production efficiency, which bodes well for the industry’s broad market prospects. 2. Technological Innovation: Color-sorting equipment integrates multiple disciplines, including optics, electronics, computer vision, and automated control. Ongoing technological advancements and innovations provide a solid foundation for the industry’s growth. 3. Industrial Chain Advantages: If a company possesses technological and resource strengths in related fields such as mechanical manufacturing, electronic components, or automated control, entering the color-sorting equipment sector can help extend and optimize its industrial value chain. 4. Policy Support: National and local government policies that support and encourage high-tech industries create a favorable policy environment for the development of the color-sorting equipment sector. 5. Personal Interest and Background: I have a strong personal interest in optics, mechanics, automation, and other related fields, coupled with relevant technical expertise and industry experience, which led me to choose this field. My recommendations for the future development of China’s color-sorting equipment industry include the following: 1. Increase R&D Investment: Continuously ramp up R&D spending to drive technological innovation, elevate the level of intelligence and automation in products, and strengthen their core competitiveness. 2. Enhance Quality Control: Implement stringent quality-control measures to improve product stability and reliability, build a strong brand image, and earn customer trust. 3. Expand Application Areas: Actively broaden the application scope of color-sorting equipment—from traditional sectors such as agriculture, mining, and food processing to emerging fields like waste-recycling, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals—thereby opening up new market opportunities. 4. Pursue an Internationalization Strategy: Vigorously advance international expansion, tap into overseas markets, and enhance the global competitiveness of our products. At the same time, draw on advanced international technologies and management practices to strengthen the overall capabilities of the enterprise. 5. Focus on Talent Development: Place great emphasis on attracting and cultivating high-caliber talent, building a top-tier R&D and management team, and ensuring a robust human-resource base for the company’s sustained growth. 6. Promote Intelligent Manufacturing: Advance the intelligent and digital transformation of the color-sorting equipment manufacturing process by leveraging the Industrial Internet and big-data technologies, thereby boosting production efficiency and management standards. 7. Strengthen Customer Service: Establish a comprehensive after-sales service system that responds promptly to customer needs, provides professional technical support and maintenance services, and enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. 8. Emphasize Green Practices: Integrate green and environmentally friendly principles into product design and manufacturing processes to reduce resource consumption and environmental pollution, aligning with the requirements of sustainable development. By implementing these measures, China’s color-sorting equipment industry can make greater strides in technological innovation, market expansion, and international competition, thus driving high-quality development across the sector.