Key Technology enhances its FMAlert for VERYX Digital Sorters

FMAlert​ is a software that captures and saves digital images of foreign material (FM) contaminants and can be programmed to alert operators and signal a downstream device during critical FM events. 

Consumer expectations

Now, the next-generation FMAlert​ highlights each image to pinpoint the FM object detected. 

“New food safety regulations and consumers’ rising expectations for product quality are pushing processors to look at more ways to ensure their product is free from FM​,” said Marco Azzaretti, advanced inspection systems product manager, Key. 

“The sorter’s Pixel Fusion sensor finds smaller and more subtle FM and defects, and it can better identify specific FM types. VERYX removes FM as well as product defects from the product stream with virtually no false rejects.” ​
‘Marks’ are digitally placed on the images to point out each critical FM contaminant, so it’s easily seen. 

The images are saved on the VERYX PC and can be downloaded at the sorter via a USB drive or accessed remotely. 

Chute and belt-sorters

Beyond helping processors quickly react to FM quality problems and discover the root causes, FMAlert​’s digital records help identify FM trends, such as reoccurring FM from a specific product source, and the documentation provides quality assurance to the processor and other stakeholders. 

VERYX is Key’s next-generation family of chute- and belt-fed sorters.

Key Technology is based in Walla Walla, Washington, US; Beusichem, the Netherlands; Hasselt, Belgium; and Redmond, Oregon, US.