Key Technology Sort-to-Grade software for VERYX digital sorters

Key Technology has introduced its Sort-to-Grade (STG) software for VERYX digital sorters. The patented software is available for food sorting applications including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables as well as nuts.

An STG-enabled sorter dynamically evaluates each decision based on how it impacts the aggregate ‘in the bag’ grade, as defined by the processor. Controlling the output for defect categories of various severity and/or product dimensions, the software accurately delivers complex final product specifications without operator intervention, while increasing yields by 1–3%.

STG recognises and categorises the visual and structural characteristics of individual objects in the product stream. It can allow a specific amount of low- and middle-severity defects to pass, based on user-defined allowable tolerances for each defect category, while ejecting all high-severity defects and foreign material (FM).

VERYX with STG can identify and classify each object’s colour, size, shape, structural properties and/or chemical composition. To meet the allowed tolerance for the grade, the software manages specific types, sizes and locations of defects as well as colour grades, if needed.