Abstract: A method and a system for grading and sorting articles comprising a conveyor for sequentially conveying a plurality of articles passed a coding station. The coding station identifies a first one of a plurality of articles with an electronically stored information code indicative of specific characteristics of the first article. A sequentially operable visual indicator device identifies the location of the first article moving along a predetermined portion of the conveyor line at the coding station where the information code is to be stored. The visual indicator is activated until the information code is completed and a termination signal to that effect is generated. The visual indicator then identifies the following article as being a first article in the predetermined portion.