Described is a pitting machine, system and process that singularizes or individualizes fruit pieces, such as cherries, olives, dates and plums and that attempts to remove pits and pit material from each fruit piece. A conveyor comprises wells or receptacles for accepting fruit pieces. The conveyor passes fruit pieces into a pitting area wherein the pitting machine removes pit material from the fruit pieces by a matrix of punching or pitting needles. Pitting needles include vanes or blades for reducing damage to fruit pieces and centering of pits or pit material. The matrix moves in an oscillatory fashion in synchronization with generally continuous movement of fruit pieces engaged in the conveyor. Singularization enables improved processing, sorting, and quality checking of fruit pieces. The system virtually ensures sufficient removal of pits and pit material. Fruit pieces that fail quality checking can be ejected or rejected from the conveyor.
