{"id":6230,"date":"2024-01-24T17:02:42","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T17:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.key.net\/en\/?post_type=news&p=6230"},"modified":"2024-07-02T17:05:48","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T17:05:48","slug":"key-technology-introduces-optical-sorters-for-processed-protein-products","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.key.net\/en\/news\/key-technology-introduces-optical-sorters-for-processed-protein-products\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Technology Introduces Optical Sorters for Processed Protein Products"},"content":{"rendered":"

Key Technology (\u201cKey\u201d), a member of Duravant\u2019s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, introduces optical sorters for processed protein products, such as frozen chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, fish sticks, plant-based meat alternatives and more. Automatically removing product defects and foreign material (FM), Key\u2019s optical sorters including COMPASS\u00ae and VERYX\u00ae help optimize product quality while improving yield and reducing labor.
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\r\n\u201cProcessors of protein products worldwide have relied on Key\u2019s vibratory conveyors for more than 25 years. However, when it comes to sorting, historically they\u2019ve been satisfied with manual inspection. Now, with such a tight labor market and consumers\u2019 product quality expectations higher than ever, automating inspection makes more sense,\u201d said Jack Lee, Duravant Group President – Food Sorting and Handling Solutions. \u201cDrawing on our application expertise in material handling, we\u2019ve developed optical sorting systems that automate a process that previously required several workers per shift, while simultaneously achieving more consistent product quality.\u201d
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\r\nKey\u2019s COMPASS and VERYX optical sorters detect the color, size, shape and\/or structural properties of every object to identify and remove a variety of product defects including clumps of product, clumps of breading\/batter and product that hasn\u2019t been formed, cooked or coated correctly. Foreign material (FM), such as plastic, metal, glass and paper, that may have been accidentally introduced to the production line is also removed. For processed protein applications, optical sorting is most often utilized immediately prior to packaging for final inspection but may also be utilized upstream to inspect incoming ingredients.
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\r\nEach sorting system is customized by Key in the ideal size and configuration to address the processor\u2019s unique product characteristics and line requirements. Key infeed and collection conveyors can be integrated with the sorter to gently move product and preserve its integrity while maximizing sort accuracy. Optional conveyor screens are available to remove fines prior to sorting, if needed.
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\r\nEngineered to satisfy the high sanitary standards required for protein processing, Key\u2019s optical sorters feature open designs, sloped surfaces and more to maximize equipment hygiene and ease cleaning.
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\r\nEvery COMPASS and VERYX sorter is equipped with Key Discovery\u2122, a powerful data analytics and reporting software that enables the sorter to collect and analyze data about objects flowing through the sorter to reveal patterns that can help improve upstream and downstream processes.
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\r\nKey\u2019s optical sorters for frozen protein products virtually eliminate the need for manual inspection, which decreases labor costs and achieves more consistent FM and defect removal. Fast and accurate recipe-driven changeovers maximize production versatility and uptime while ensuring repeatable results. Operator qualification requirements allow a minimally-skilled individual to become a proficient user of the system in less than one hour.
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\r\nProcessors of meat, poultry and plant-based alternatives can learn more about Key\u2019s optical sorters and vibratory conveyors at IPPE in booth #C19167.
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\r\nKey supports its customers worldwide through an extensive sales network and its global service team. For more information on Key\u2019s optical sorters, https:\/\/www.key.net\/en\/our-products\/sorting.<\/a>
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\r\nAbout Key Technology, Inc.<\/strong>
\r\nKey Technology is a global leader in the design and manufacture of automation systems including optical 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.\u00a0For more information, visit\u00a0www.key.net<\/a>.
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\r\nAbout Duravant<\/strong>
\r\nHeadquartered 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\u2019s market-leading brands are synonymous with innovation, durability and reliability.\u00a0For more information, visit\u00a0www.duravant.com<\/a>.
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\r\nReader Inquiries<\/u>:
\r\nBuffy Hagerman
\r\nKey Technology
\r\n150 Avery Street
\r\nWalla\u00a0Walla,\u00a0WA\u00a099362\u00a0USA
\r\nTel: +1\u00a0509 540 7415
\r\nbhagerman@key.net<\/a>
\r\nwww.key.net<\/a>
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\r\nReader Inquiries:<\/u>
\r\nLene Boes
\r\nKey Technology
\r\nBedrijfsstraat 6b
\r\nB-3500 Hasselt, Belgium
\r\nTel: +32 (0) 11 26 70 38
\r\nlboes@key.net<\/a>
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