The belt speed, the pod spacing, and orientation did not significantly
affect the shape index and length of the sweet tamarind
pods at a significance level of 5%. Table 1 provides the statistics
of shape index as determined by Duncan multiple range test. The
shape index of the curved, the slightly curved, and the straight
pods were valued at 75.8, 61.6, and 51.1%, respectively. Straight,
slightly curved, and curved pods possess sequentially higher shape
indexes which agree with degree of curvature. The statistics of the
lengths of the sweet tamarind pods with respect to size are given
in Table 2. Three sizes (S, M, and L) were determined for both cultivars,
with the range for Sitong pods extending from 10.1 to
14.0 cm, and 8.5 to 12.4 cm for Srichompoo pods. Sitong pods are
larger than Srichompoo pods size by size. Sweet tamarind growers
conventionally use length to visually size the pod. The belt speed,
the pod spacing, and the orientation did not significantly influence
defect detection at a significance level of 5%. Table 3 shows the percent
of defects detected by the sorting system with regard to defect
size. Detection ranged from 24.3% for 2-mm diameter holes to