A Superpower Made of Many Elements
If Siebe Hannes’ expertise were a superpower, it would look a lot like the Avatar’s ability to master multiple elements at once. Not just one skill, but a combination that only works when everything comes together.For Siebe, those elements are computer vision, service work, machine installation, machine optimization, and customer interaction. Mastering each one — and knowing how to apply them at the right moment — is what makes his work effective.
Turning Technology into Real-World Impact
As an Application Engineer at Qcify, Siebe works at the intersection of advanced technology and real-world production environments. His role is about making sure Qcify’s machines don’t just function, but truly deliver value for customers.What makes him especially proud is seeing how a Belgian company like Qcify has deployed high-end inspection technology all over the world. Knowing that customers trust Qcify’s machines for quality inspection and sorting — often at critical points in their production process — gives his work real meaning.
A Moment That Made a Difference
One of the moments Siebe felt most appreciated was during a macadamia project in South Africa using the Qcify 360.“The people were really enjoyable, and they genuinely wanted to make the project work,” he recalls. That shared commitment and collaboration made the experience stand out. It wasn’t just about delivering a machine — it was about building trust and achieving results together.
Connecting Inspection to Insights
Application Engineers bring a unique perspective: they work closely with different machines, industries, and customers. That gives them valuable insights into what works — and what can be improved.Siebe shares these insights with customers to help them make informed decisions about their production lines. By combining inspection data, machine knowledge, and hands-on experience, he helps bridge the gap between raw data and actionable insights.
Learning by Doing (and Sometimes Breaking Things)
One Qcify value resonates especially strongly with Siebe: “We are constantly learning and improving.”In the world of AI, standing still isn’t an option. Alongside his application work, Siebe also contributes to development on the AI pipeline. That means programming, testing new AI concepts, and experimenting with different approaches — knowing that not everything will work the first time.
“There’s a lot of testing involved,” he says. “And sometimes I break things.” But that process is essential. Every experiment leads to new insights, better solutions, and stronger systems.
From Pistachios to Macadamias
When it comes to eating nuts, Siebe’s favorite is pistachios in shell. But when it comes to working with nuts, macadamias are by far the most interesting.Macadamias present a wide range of defects — from color variations and shape issues to insect damage. Some defects, like late stinkbug damage, are nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye.
“With the Qcify 360, you can clearly see the white spots on the macadamia,” Siebe explains. Teaching a machine to detect what the human eye can’t is exactly the kind of challenge that makes his work exciting.
