Key Technology Introduces Integrated Hyperspectral Sorting System for Bacon Bits

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces their new integrated hyperspectral sorting system for chilled bacon bits. As the world’s only sorter that can combine near infrared (NIR) hyperspectral detection with color cameras, Key’s VERYX^® BioPrint^® analyzes a richer set of data about the materials it is sorting to remove the smallest bone fragments and other difficult-to-detect foreign material (FM) and product defects. When integrated with Key’s vibratory conveyors, this new bacon bit sorting line improves food safety and product quality while maximizing efficiencies, improving yield and reducing labor.

“Bacon bit processors have extremely high product quality standards. Ninety-nine percent removal simply isn’t good enough – they want zero FM and defects,” said Jack Lee, President of Key Technology – Americas. “In the past, bacon bit processors relied heavily on laser sorters without hyperspectral. This required multiple passes through a sorter followed by manual inspection to get anywhere near their quality goals. Now, with our hyperspectral sorting system, processors can run a single pass with virtually no manual inspection to achieve a sort accuracy that was previously unheard of.”

To identify and remove light and dark bone, interleaving paper, L board, grease-soaked cardboard, plastics in various colors and more, VERYX BioPrint sorters detect every object’s color, size, shape and structure as well as the chemometric and biologic properties. Key’s Pixel Fusion^™ detection technology combines pixel-level data from the hyperspectral sensors and color cameras to produce a unique ‘signature’ associated with each material substance that passes through the sorter. This enables VERYX BioPrint to remove the widest variety of hard-to-detect FM and defects without false rejects.

Key customizes each integrated bacon bit sorting line with the ideal equipment to optimize overall system performance and meet the customer’s unique production objectives. Iso-Flo® and Impulse® vibratory conveyors can be configured to transfer, scalp, size grade, distribute, feed scales and other processing line equipment.

The integrated VERYX BioPrint sorting system can virtually eliminate the need for manual inspection, which decreases labor costs and improves the consistency of FM and defect removal. Recipe-driven operation ensures customers can count on optimal performance day in, day out. To ease use and simplify operator training, a highly-intuitive user interface provides different views to users of various levels, depending on their needs.

Key manufactures equipment in both the U.S. and Europe, supports customers worldwide through its extensive sales and SupportPro service network and offers integration services, from pre-engineering to line start-up.

About Key Technology, Inc.

Key Technology is a global leader in the design and manufacture of automation systems including digital sorters, conveyors and other processing equipment. Applying processing knowledge and application expertise, Key helps customers in the food processing and other industries improve quality, increase yield and reduce cost. Key manufactures its products in Walla Walla, Washington, USA; Redmond, Oregon, USA; and in Beusichem, the Netherlands. Key offers customer demonstration and testing services at five locations including Walla Walla and Beusichem as well as Hasselt, Belgium; Sacramento, California, USA; and Melbourne, Australia; and maintains a sales and service office in Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico. Key is a Duravant Company. For more information, visit www.key.net.

About Duravant

Headquartered in Downers Grove, IL, Duravant is a global engineered equipment company with manufacturing, sales and service facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Through their portfolio of operating companies, Duravant delivers trusted end-to-end process solutions for customers and partners through engineering and integration expertise, project management and operational excellence. With worldwide sales distribution and service networks, they provide immediate and lifetime aftermarket support to all the markets they serve in the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors. Duravant’s market-leading brands are synonymous with innovation, durability and reliability. For more information, visit www.duravant.com.

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