Zeutec | SpectraAlyzer GRAIN

Zeutec was started in 1997 in Germany.

They make special spectrometers and measurement systems for agriculture, food, feed, manufacturing, and industry.

Their Near-Infrared (NIR) spectrometers help labs analyze products like olive oil, dairy, and spirits. The “SpectraAlyzer” line has different models.

One model focuses on analyzing grain and crops.

It allows users to study how samples absorb light in the Near-Infrared spectrum and look at various production elements, including:

• protein,
• fat,
• moisture,
• hardness,
• water absorption

At this point, it is worth mentioning that Zeutec's spectroscopy products are solely produced with components from leading German and other global suppliers.

They provide the necessary application, installation, calibration, and training services, ensuring the continuing successful operation of our customers’ analyzer systems.

At the time, Zeutec was a relatively small enterprise (SME) embarking on its journey in the Western market.

When they asked us to create specialized software that uses a variety of analysis methods depending on the type of tested product, we eagerly stepped in to lend our expertise and research.

From the beginning, we knew that SpectraAlyzer had to work on personal computers, while staying connected to external hardware for analysis.

Our task was to create part of the application backend in Qt 5 and the user interface using QML libraries.

Having this in mind, we quickly started working on the SpectraAlyzer software by establishing the main tasks and potential issues:

• Create specialized software (many different analysis methods depending on the type of product being tested),
• Run specialized software (installing hardware drivers and connecting pointing devices),
• Connect external hardware for analysis (potential configuration problems),
• Run SpectraAlyzer to compare the results (historical and the most recent data analysis).

Fortunately, the whole project was already in the development process when we joined.

After receiving the device from the client, which allowed us to test the flour parameters, our team of C++/Qt developers started to work on the project.

Over 2-3 years, our small team engaged closely with Zeutec to fulfill their requirements.

We began with an existing codebase analysis to gain insights into what plays the key role in the project.

Additionally, our responsibilities included:

• implementation of the graphical interface for the touch screen,
• integration of the graphical interface with hardware drivers prepared by Zeutec,
• development of an embedded database,
• completion of technical documentation,
• creation of a user-friendly sample presentation,
• delivering compact design optimized for bench top or at-line application.
• establishing a web server and web connectivity for direct instrument access via LAN and internet from anywhere, any time.

After a thorough examination, we decided to leverage an affordable, yet powerful Raspberry Pi microcomputer running Linux with an attached screen and IoT network connectivity (Bluetooth, LAN, and Wi-Fi) to evade the painful personal computer configuration.

Our software also supported external devices connected via USB ports. This allowed interaction with specialized hardware directly from the platform.

Next, we decided to provide a solid visual components upgrade and a new software version. Our developer team also wrote the new software in Qt 5 and designed the app under Zeutec's SpectraAlyzer embedded system.

This is how the Mia app emerged.

The touch screen and on-screen keyboard built into the Raspberry Pi platform application allowed the software to operate without the need to connect a mouse or physical keyboard.

We also implemented a product database. It allowed the user to add and edit products, as well as perform the calculations of product parameters.

The mathematical part was provided by the Zeutec).

We also added a simple and intuitive graphical interface based on Qt Quick. It allowed for access to the most frequently used functionalities, like running analyses with only a few clicks or easy analysis calibrated for desired cases.

It is worth mentioning that throughout the whole software development process, we kept the device close at hand, ensuring seamless development within the confines of our office.

• The team focused on developing software for a Raspberry Pi.
• The Mia application was developed in C++ and QML using the Qt framework version 5.
• The development of an embedded database was based on the MySQL engine,
• The completion of technical documentation, including implementation details, using the Doxygen tool,
• The database model was prepared in MySQL Workbench software.

Our collaboration with Zeutec resulted in the successful launch of the SpectraAlyzer GRAIN device on the European market.

We provided a solid piece of technology dedicated to farmers, traders, and processors, thanks to which, all possible parameters of e.g. grain products, such as protein, moisture, oil, ash, hardness, and water absorption, could be analyzed simultaneously.

To put it simply, we helped Zeutec company revolutionize assessing grain quality.

In the long run, our work has led to the SpectraAlyzer GRAIN NEO introduction, which is being sold in the market all over the world.

A next-gen version with seamless ERP systems integration and a silicon detector for accurate measurements.

With features such as automated subsampling, dynamic analysis sessions, or cloud connectivity, the device offers unparalleled efficiency and accuracy in assessing grain quality.

Today, Zeutec has a big customer base of leading companies from the agricultural and food industry as well as well-known research institutes like Fraunhofer Institutes or even Max-Planck-Institutes.

Through close communication, dedication to quality, and innovative problem-solving, we transformed Zeutec's vision into reality.

The SpectraAlyzer GRAIN stands as a testament to our commitment to excellence and our ability to deliver impactful solutions in the field of grain analysis. We are proud that we took part in this product's success story.

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