New AI-powered Sort-to-Grade equipment by Key Technology

Advanced AI algorithms allow Key Technology’s Sort-to-Grade (STG) for potato strips to digitally resolve clumps of overlapping product and better identify individual strips, maximizing precision in measuring strip length in production.

Leveraging this powerful software on a Key digital sorter such as VERYX enables potato processors to eliminate traditional mechanical length graders to reduce capital costs, maintenance and floorspace requirements while improving product quality and increasing yields.

STG recognizes and categorizes every surface defect and the length of every individual strip to make each accept/reject decision based on how it will impact the ‘in the bag’ grade, as defined by the processor. STG automatically ensures the most sophisticated length profile requirements are met while removing the least amount of product possible. For example, STG can be programmed to ensure that at least 20 percent of strips are longer than X mm, at least 30% of strips are longer than Y mm, no strips are shorter than Z mm, etc. Length profiles can be changed in seconds via the sorter’s intuitive touchscreen UI.

Dynamically managing length profiles with intelligent accept/reject decisions based on how each strip will affect the ‘in the bag’ grade, AI-enhanced STG increases yields by up to one percent more than the previous generation STG feature and generates a fast return-on-investment while helping the processor make grade.

By digitally monitoring the length of every strip on the line, processors can rely on an AI-driven STG-enabled sorter to analyze the length profile of potato strips immediately prior to packaging and forgo taking physical samples off the line for length analysis using a separate device.

Additionally, the length data collected by AI-enhanced STG can be used to improve line performance and/or generate reports that verify the length profile of each batch. The sorter can collect, analyze and share data to reveal patterns and trends that help control upstream and downstream processes.

The new AI-driven STG is an option on new Key digital sorters for potato strips including VERYX, and available as a field upgrade for most installed Key potato strip sorters.

Key Technology will introduce Sort-to-Grade at Pack Expo, booth S-3547.