A medium-capacity belt-fed digital sorter introduced by Key Technology (Walla Walla, QWA) features a 1400-mm wide inspection zone, which is 15 percent wider than comparatively sized sorters. The VERYX B140 design achieves a higher throughput within a similar footprint and better singulation of product on the belt to improve sorting accuracy.

VERYX sorters maximize the detection and removal of foreign material (FM) and product defects based on objects’ color, size, shape and/or structural properties while minimizing false rejects to enhance product quality and increase yields.

Ideal for production lines running 5 to 10 metric tons (12,000 to 24,000 lb.) of product per hour, the VERYX B140 complements Key’s existing range of chute- and belt-fed VERYX sorters of various widths. All belt-fed VERYX sorters, including the new B140, can be configured for wet and frozen potato strips and specialty potato products as well as fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, potato chips and other snack foods, confections, seafood and more. Chute-fed VERYX sorter configurations are ideal for nuts, dried fruit, IQF products, and other free-flowing foods.

For food processors that require all-sided surface inspection, Key can configure VERYX with top-and-bottom mounted sensors to achieve a full view of each object in the product stream with no blind spots. Belt-fed VERYX is the only sorter on the market that positions bottom sensors away from product splatter to ensure lower sensor windows are not obstructed by contamination buildup over time. Eliminating this previously common performance degradation factor keeps the bottom sensors operating at their peak and makes VERYX the first digital sorter to deliver 100 percent surface inspection that can be sustained throughout the production cycle.

The multi-sensor Pixel Fusion™ feature combines pixel-level input from multiple cameras and laser sensors sharing the same line of sight to more clearly differentiate good product, defects, and FM. With Pixel Fusion, VERYX consistently removes the most difficult-to-detect FM and defects without false rejects.