Key Technology Introduces Smart Software Solution for Sorting

The newly introduced suite of software solutions is called Key Discovery and it transforms Key’s digital sorting systems into IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) connected devices that collect, analyze and share data while sorting product.

By harnessing data about the sort process and about every object flowing through the sorter, Key Discovery can reveal patterns and trends that improve sorting and help control upstream and downstream processes.

According to a recent official announcement, Key Discovery provides actionable information that enables processors to optimize product quality, maximize yield, reduce downtime and minimize labor to increase profitability.

“The Industrial Internet of Things is a reality in the food processing industry. Key Discovery represents the next-generation of our information analytics software solutions. With it, food processors can turn their digital sorters into advanced product and process information centers,” said Dave Crewe, senior vice president of AIS Engineering at Key Technology.

Food processors can use the data provided by Key Discovery for a wide variety of process monitoring and line control purposes, depending on their needs. It audits the sorter’s wellness, validates sort performance and helps better manage output. Key Discovery can also monitor upstream processes to help identify issues and opportunities for improvement, and it can connect the sorter with other equipment and devices upstream and downstream on the line.

Key Discovery’s configurable reporting enables processors to understand product batches in terms of their quality profile, measuring defect rates and the presence of foreign material as well as the color, size, shape, structural property and/or chemical composition of the product, whether the data is used to make sort decisions or not.