The ADDAMS Length Separation process in seed and grain processing separates materials based on differences in length, typically after initial cleaning and before density separation. This method is particularly useful for removing unwanted short or long foreign materials, such as broken seeds, straw, weed seeds, or split grains, that are otherwise similar in width and density to the desired crop.
How the ADDAMS Length Separation Works:
- This process is most commonly performed using an Indented Cylinder Separator, also known as an Indented Length Grader, which utilizes rotating cylinders with indented pockets:
- The cylindrical drum rotates slowly and is lined internally with uniformly sized indents (pockets).
- When the seed mixture is fed into the drum, the shorter seeds or particles are caught in the indents and lifted.
- As the cylinder rotates, the lifted material falls into a collection trough/screw once it reaches a certain height.
- Longer seeds remain in the cylinder and are discharged separately.
Types of ADDAMS Length Separation:
- Short Grain Removal – Removing broken or short seeds from whole seeds.
- Long Grain Removal – Removing longer contaminants like straw, pods, or weed seeds.
- Some machines use double cylinders in series to perform both operations sequentially.
Key Components of the ADDAMS Indented Cylinder Separator/ Length Separator:
- Feeding mechanism
- Rotating indented cylinder(s)
- Collection trough for lifted materials
- Discharge outlets for long and short fractions
- Adjustable speed and inclination settings
- Benefits of the ADDAMS Indented Cylinder Separator/ Length Separator:
- High-precision separation based purely on length.
- Improves uniformity and appearance of the final seed or grain lot.
- Helps meet grading standards for export or certification.
- Reduces breakage and contamination in downstream processing.
Typical Applications of the ADDAMS Indented Cylinder Separator/ Length Separator:
- Length Separation of Wheat, rice, barley
- Length Separation of Pulses (lentils, chickpeas, peas)
- Length Separation of Hybrid Vegetable Seeds
- Length Separation of Grasses and Forage Seeds
- Length Separation of Herbs & Leaves
Applicable Industries of an ADDAMS Indented Cylinder Separator/ Length Separator:
- Grain Food Processing Lines.
- Pulses Food Processing Lines.
- Oil Seed Food Processing Lines.
- Grain Feed Processing Lines.
- Grain Malt Processing Lines.
- Field Seed Processing Lines.
- Forage Seed Processing Lines.
- Grass Seeds Processing Lines.
- Vegetable Seeds Processing Lines.
- Nuts Processing Lines.

