3u Vision Srl
3U Vision Srl, founded in 2019 in Imola, Italy, designs and manufactures industrial optical sorting machines (Fenix, Optica, Hyperion lines) using proprietary hyperspectral and multispectral vision systems to detect defects in food, plastics, minerals, metals, and glass for global industrial customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersImola, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What 3u Vision Srl does
3U Vision Srl is an Italian designer and manufacturer of industrial optical sorting machines, headquartered in Imola (Bologna), Italy. Founded in 2019 by Antonio Uzzo, the company sells a portfolio of five product lines (Fenix, Fenix mini, Optica, Optica Mini, Hyperion) ranging from compact lab/analysis-center units to modular hyperspectral flagship sorters, all built around custom-designed multispectral and hyperspectral camera systems (RGB, IR, SWIR) entirely made in Italy. The machines use a proprietary 4-wavelength single-4K-sensor architecture and up to 8 simultaneous frequencies to detect defects, foreign bodies, and chemical differences invisible to the human eye, with optional RISE-UP ejector positioning and IoT/Industry 4.0 remote-service integration.
The company serves industrial customers across food processing (wheat, cereals, rice, seeds, coffee, dried fruit — primary), plastics recycling, mining and minerals, metals recycling, and glass/environmental recycling. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales of capital equipment, with associated after-sales service. Distribution is direct enterprise sales, led by a global Sales & After Sales Director and supported by an Italy-dedicated sales manager, with multilingual commercial materials in Italian, English, Spanish, and French indicating a global customer target. Research collaborations with La Sapienza University of Rome (Biophotonics faculty) and the University of Bologna (Department of Chemistry) underpin ongoing R&D. The business is privately held and founder-owned, with no disclosed external funding, revenue, or headcount.
3u Vision Srl firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 3u Vision Srl
- Legal name
- 3U Vision Srl
- Website
- https://3uvision.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 3U Vision Srl, founded in 2019 in Imola, Italy, designs and manufactures industrial optical sorting machines (Fenix, Optica, Hyperion lines) using proprietary hyperspectral and multispectral vision systems to detect defects in food, plastics, minerals, metals, and glass for global industrial customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
3u Vision Srl industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Optical Sorting Equipment
- NAICS
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Machine Vision & Industrial Imaging Systems (IMAHAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sorting, Grading & Optical Inspection Systems (Size/Color Sorters) (AFAAAJAC), Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB), Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)
Keywords
Where 3u Vision Srl is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Imola
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
3u Vision Srl business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Optical Sorting Machines: Sale of optical sorting machines (Fenix, Fenix mini, Optica, Optica mini, Hyperion) as capital equipment to industrial customers in food, mining, plastics, and recycling sectors. One-time hardware sales with potential after-sales service and support.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
3u Vision Srl product offering
Product offeringCore offering
3U Vision Srl designs and manufactures industrial optical sorting (color sorter) machines entirely in Italy. Its portfolio of five product lines (Fenix, Fenix mini, Optica, Optica Mini, Hyperion) uses proprietary multispectral and hyperspectral vision systems to detect and eject defects, foreign bodies, and impurities from food products (wheat, cereals, rice, seeds, coffee, dried fruits), plastics, minerals, metals, and glass. The machines are sold as capital equipment to industrial processors and recyclers, with remote-service and IoT/Industry 4.0 capabilities.
Product overview
3U Vision Srl is an Italian company (based in Imola, BO) specializing in advanced optical sorting machines entirely designed and produced in Italy. The company offers a portfolio of five color sorter product lines designed for different scales and applications: Fenix (flagship high-end model), Fenix mini (compact for small-scale high-value production), Optica HD (quality and efficiency focused), Optica Mini (most compact in category), and Hyperion (customizable/modular flagship). All machines utilize advanced multispectral and hyperspectral vision systems combining RGB, IR, and SWIR technologies to detect and remove defects, foreign bodies, and impurities from food products (wheat, cereals, seeds, coffee, rice, dried fruits), plastics, minerals, metals, and glass. Key enabling technologies include custom Italian-made cameras, flat spectrum LEDs, adjustable ejector systems (RISE-UP), IoT/Industry 4.0 connectivity, and remote-service capabilities. Founded in 2019 by Antonio Uzzo (former CEO of SEA and Cimbria), the company leverages 40 years of industry experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fenix Color Sorter The flagship optical sorting machine, featuring the first 4-color single camera optical sorter with combined RGB and IR in a single 4K sensor, up to 8 frequencies (RGB+SWIR+IR), state-of-the-art 3.2mm pitch ejectors, RISE-UP system, and dual 15-inch touch displays. Designed and produced entirely in Italy for industrial food processing, plastics, mining, and recycling customers.
- Fenix Mini Color Sorter A compact optical sorter designed specifically for small, exclusive, high-value-added production. Features the 4-wavelength multispectral system with RGB and IR in a single 4K sensor, 15-inch widescreen touch display, 3.2mm pitch ejectors, and RISE-UP system. Ideal for analysis centers and testing laboratories.
- Optica Color Sorter (HD) An optical sorting machine focused on quality and efficiency, described as simple by definition. Features 4-wavelength multispectral system with RGB and IR in the same 4K sensor, flat spectrum LED, 3.6mm pitch ejectors, RISE-UP system, silver ion treated ramps, and IoT/Industry 4.0 compatibility.
- Optica Mini Color Sorter The most compact optical sorter in its category, designed for small-scale high-quality productions. Features 4-wavelength multispectral system combining RGB and IR in a single 4K sensor, 15-inch widescreen touch display, multi-wavelength LED with focusing lens, and RISE-UP system. Ideal for analysis centers and testing laboratories with optional support stand with integrated hoppers and pull-out sliding trays.
- Hyperion Color Sorter The most customizable and modular optical sorting machine. Features optional hyperspectral (H2, H) and multispectral (SR2, SR) cameras on front and rear, 4-wavelength multi-spectral system as standard, high-resolution SWIR cameras (1024 pixel), simultaneous RGB+SWIR+IR up to 8 frequencies, dual 15-inch displays, adjustable ejector bank (RISE-UP), and optional metal-detector. Supports modular configurations for different optical systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- Significantly reduces waste and scrap in food processing operations
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use 3u Vision Srl
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
3u Vision Srl technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature13 records
3u Vision Srl partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- La Sapienza University of Rome (Faculty of Biophotonics)core3U Vision has a research contract with the Faculty of Biophotonics at La Sapienza University of Rome. This partnership supports the company's focus on research and development of innovative technological solutions in vision systems.
- Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna (Department of Chemistry 'Giacomo Ciamician')coreCollaboration with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bologna, one of the leading universities in machine vision sector, to develop advanced vision technologies.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
3u Vision Srl competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Steinert: German sensor-based sorting specialist for the recycling and mining sectors; a direct competitor to 3U Vision's mineral and metal recycling use cases.
- Key Technology (Duravant): US-based manufacturer of optical sorting and conveying equipment for food processing, directly competing with 3U Vision's Fenix/Optica lines in nut, fruit, vegetable, and protein applications.
- SATAKE Corporation: Japanese optical sorter manufacturer with deep global penetration in rice, grain, seed, and food processing; directly competes with 3U Vision in the same food-sorting vertical.
- Cimbria (AGCO): Danish optical sorting specialist (formerly co-led by Antonio Uzzo after the SEA merger) supplying seed, grain, and food processors. Direct overlap in product technology, customer base, and target applications.
- Pellenc ST: French optical sorting specialist focused on waste and recycling applications; overlaps directly with 3U Vision's plastics, glass, and metal recycling use cases.
- Sesotec: German manufacturer of optical sorting and metal detection systems for plastics, food, and recycling; competes directly with 3U Vision's recycling and food verticals, especially in Europe.
Emerging players
- Unisort: Smaller European specialist in optical sorting equipment for plastics and recycling using NIR and hyperspectral imaging; comparable in scale to 3U Vision and an emerging direct competitor in the recycling vertical.
Broad incumbents
- Bühler Group: Swiss global leader in optical sorting and processing equipment for food, feed, and advanced materials. Direct competitor across 3U Vision's food and recycling verticals with a much larger installed base and global service network.
- TOMRA Sorting Solutions: Norwegian-headquartered global leader in sensor-based sorting for food, recycling, and mining. Closest large-scale competitor to 3U Vision, with comparable multispectral/NIR capabilities and a far larger commercial footprint.
Regional players
- Aweta: Dutch specialist in optical sorting and grading systems for fruit and vegetables, with complementary technology (hyperspectral/multispectral) but a different primary vertical; relevant comparator for 3U Vision's hyperspectral capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
3u Vision Srl social profiles
Digital presence3u Vision Srl financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
3u Vision Srl leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
3u Vision Srl funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
3u Vision Srl M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 3u Vision Srl
What does 3u Vision Srl do?
3U Vision Srl designs and manufactures industrial optical sorting (color sorter) machines entirely in Italy. Its portfolio of five product lines (Fenix, Fenix mini, Optica, Optica Mini, Hyperion) uses proprietary multispectral and hyperspectral vision systems to detect and eject defects, foreign bodies, and impurities from food products (wheat, cereals, rice, seeds, coffee, dried fruits), plastics, minerals, metals, and glass. The machines are sold as capital equipment to industrial processors and recyclers, with remote-service and IoT/Industry 4.0 capabilities.
Is 3u Vision Srl a public or private company?
3u Vision Srl is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 3u Vision Srl founded?
3u Vision Srl was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 3u Vision Srl based?
3u Vision Srl is headquartered in Imola, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does 3u Vision Srl make money?
One revenue line is on record: optical Sorting Machines.
Who are 3u Vision Srl's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Steinert, Key Technology (Duravant), SATAKE Corporation, Cimbria (AGCO), Pellenc ST and Sesotec. Unisort is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Bühler Group and TOMRA Sorting Solutions. Aweta is listed as a regional player.
Does 3u Vision Srl have an API?
No public API is recorded for 3u Vision Srl.
What industry is 3u Vision Srl in?
3u Vision Srl's product category is Industrial Optical Sorting Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAE, Machine Vision & Industrial Imaging Systems, with a secondary code of AFAAAJAC, Sorting, Grading & Optical Inspection Systems (Size/Color Sorters). Its NAICS code is 334513 and its SIC code is 3550.