Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces AI-driven FM Alert software for its digital sorting systems at Pack Expo booth S-3547. This tool captures and saves digital images of critical foreign material (FM) contaminants that the sorter detects and rejects from the product stream. Data outputs from the software can be used to alert operators and/or signal a downstream device. AI-enhanced FM Alert helps processors better control FM and improve documentation to protect food safety.
“Our FM Alert software achieves uniquely accurate results – identifying, recording and acting on true FM findings on the line,” said Marco Azzaretti, director of marketing at Key. “This FM-fighting tool helps customers protect their brand’s reputation and avoid costly recalls. Every food processor wants to prevent contamination, making FM Alert universally beneficial across all applications.”
As the sorters find and remove all types of FM and user-specified defects, most users will program FM Alert to act on only specific types of critical FM such as glass, plastic, rubber or wood.
This tool captures and saves digital images of critical foreign material (FM) contaminants that the sorter detects and rejects from the product stream.
FM Alert captures and saves a digital image that is time-stamped and ‘marked’ to point out the critical FM contaminant. To address critical FM findings immediately, data outputs can be used by the plant to drive custom behaviors, including notifying operators of the FM event with a visual and/or audible alarm at the sorter or to alert others on and off the production floor. These real-time notifications enable a processor to identify the source of the FM and remedy quality problems rapidly. Additionally, FM Alert data outputs can be used to trigger a gate or diverter downstream of the sorter to segregate at-risk product so an operator can confirm the FM was removed from the product stream.
Complementing FM Alert, Key’s Discovery software can be used to gain additional insight into the frequency and type of FM events. With Discovery, processors can leverage their Key sorters to collect, analyze and share data about the sorting process and every object flowing through the sorter. Information about what the sorter found and when allows processors to recognize trends and correlations, such as connecting FM events to specific batches of product or suppliers, enabling the processor to eliminate root causes. The documentation supports quality assurance for the processor as well as other stakeholders.
The AI-driven FM Alert is an option available on new Key digital sorters including VERYX and is available as a field upgrade for installed Key sorters.
For more information:
Buffy Hagerman
Key Technology
Tel: +1 509 540 7415
bhagerman@key.net
Lene Boes
Key Technology
Tel: +32 (0) 11 26 70 38
lboes@key.net
www.key.net