| abstract |
The invention generally refers t.o a cutting machine to cut stem segments with desired characteristics. The invention is particularly useful to cut stem segments of graminaceous plants (from the 'Gramineae/Poaceae' family) such as plants of the Saccharum spp, including sugar cane. According to an embodiment of the invention, the cutting machine comprises a sensor (24) to identify at least one characteristic of the stem (40), means (60, 61) to place the stem in a determined position for cutting, depending on the response of said sensor, and means to cut the stem; wherein said sensor to identify at least one characteristic of the stem, said means to cut the stem are interconnected to each other and controlling means (30) in order to cut the stem at a particular position depending on the presence of said identified characteristic; characterized in that the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a pressure transducer sensor, a capactive sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an x-ray sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a microwave sensor. |