Key develops laser detector for food applications

Key has developed new laser-sensing technology designed to detect and remove defects and foreign material in food production. It combines Key’s proprietary state-of-the-art G6 colour cameras and powerful G6 sorting platform with laser technology. The system is capable of achieving unmatched product quality and safety as it is the only Class I laser sorter in available to the food industry.

Key has developed new laser-sensing technology designed to detect and remove defects and foreign material in food production. It combines Key’s proprietary state-of-the-art G6 colour cameras and powerful G6 sorting platform with laser technology. The system is capable of achieving unmatched product quality and safety as it is the only Class I laser sorter in available to the food industry. It offers the highest spatial resolution laser scanner in food sorting, and is capable of detecting the smallest defects and foreign material. With Key’s high intensity discharge (HID) illumination system and G6 CCD-based camera technology, Optyx analyses size and shape as well as millions of subtle colour differences. Raptor Laser Technology detects foreign matter based on differences in the optical properties of materials. G6’s image processing muscle is applied to images from both the G6 cameras and the Raptor laser technology. Key believes that combining sophisticated colour sorting with new laser technology achieves the most complete sort, maximising the removal of defects and foreign matter in the product stream while improving recovery rates. The concept is targeted at packaging lines handling up to six tons of product per hour. By detecting tiny defects and foreign material, Key says that Optyx with Raptor could eliminate costly hand-sorting labour and offer rapid ROI. Optyx also offers advanced image processing. Featuring a modular design and high-performance connectivity standards such as Camera Link, FireWire and Ethernet, Key’s new Optyx G6 3000 Series Sorter with Raptor Laser Technology delivers on the promise of the G6 architecture’s flexibility to engage new sensor technology. The Optyx G6 3000 Series features a 24-inch wide scan width and up to three sensors located above and/or below the product stream, depending on the needs of each application. The compact, self-contained unit slips easily into the processing line. In addition, Key claims that the icon-based graphical user interface (GUI) is easy to learn and use, reducing operator training and simplifying optimum operation. The user interface integrates Raptor information, allowing the operator to see what the laser is “seeing.” This patented feature delivers more intuitive machine feedback to the operator, which allows for more accurate adjustment of accept/reject thresholds. Product settings can be stored and retrieved for fast product changeover. The GUI can reside locally on the sorter and can be accessed remotely via network or Internet, enhancing the flexibility in the operating environment and easing access for remote factory troubleshooting and application assistance.