Key Technology CIT Hyperspectral Imaging Module for ADR 5 for potato strips

Key Technology has introduced hyperspectral imaging on its ADR 5 automatic defect removal system for potato strips. Featuring chemical imaging technology (CIT), a hyperspectral solution that evaluates the chemical composition of objects, the module detects ‘sugar ends’, which the ADR then cuts from the wet strips, to recover the good product.

Sugar ends, also referred to as dark ends, glassy ends, translucent ends and jelly ends, is a physiological tuber disorder caused by environmental conditions. Potato strips made from sugar end potatoes exhibit dark brown areas after frying, caused by the higher concentration of reducing sugars caramelising. Sugar ends are invisible to traditional detection technology until after the product has been thoroughly fried, so potato strip processors can be unaware they have a sugar end problem until their food service customers fry the strips.

The CIT hyperspectral imaging module is available as an option on new ADR 5 systems and as an in-field upgrade for installed systems. The systems handle strips from thin shoestring to thick steak-cut french fries, cutting out defects at production rates of up to 7.4 tons/h.