Key Technology Introduces FMAlert™ Capability to  Maximize Food Safety and Assure Product Quality

October 28, 2008

Key Technology introduces its new FMAlert™ feature for all G6 optical sorters. As the first company in the world to offer this enhanced quality monitoring capability on its sorters, Key puts a powerful new tool in the hands of food processors and packers looking to maximize food safety and assure product quality by improving the tracking and control of foreign material (FM).

Key’s FMAlert enables G6 optical sorters to capture and save a digital image of every object identified as foreign material. Armed with these images, processors can quickly identify critical quality problems and take corrective action. For example, if conveyor belt pieces are found in the product stream, the processor can quickly check upstream equipment conditions and correct the problem.

The new FMAlert can be installed on any new or in-the-field G6 sorter, including Optyx®, Tegra®, Manta™ and legacy sorters upgraded with Key’s G6 electro-optical foundation, whether the sorter is using Raptor laser technology, FluoRaptor™ fluorescence-sensing lasers, or color or Vis/IR (visible infrared) cameras to detect and remove defects and foreign material.

Key’s new FMAlert captures and saves images of all objects identified by the sorter as “unclassified” or “other” or specifically trained foreign material so the system’s hard drive isn’t filled with images of the objects identified as non-critical defects. Capturing only the images of foreign material keeps the system focused on collecting the more critical data. Key can customize the software to capture images of objects that match specific criteria for size, shape, color, and, if the sorter is equipped with Raptor or FluoRaptor laser technology, differences in the objects’ structural properties such as the absence of chlorophyll.

“At Key, we’re focused on enhancing the value of our technology by looking for innovations that address our customers’ needs,” noted Richard Hebel, Chief Technology Officer. “With our new FMAlert capability, we’re taking sorting to the next level.”

About Key Technology, Inc.
Key Technology, an ISO-9001 certified company, is a leading designer and manufacturer of process automation systems, integrated electro-optical inspection and sorting systems, and processing systems. Key® systems help processors to improve quality, increase yield, and reduce cost. With worldwide sales representation, the company maintains demonstration and testing facilities at its headquarters and manufacturing divisions in Walla Walla, Washington, USA, and at Key Technology BV in Beusichem, the Netherlands. The company's common stock trades on the Global Market tier of The NASDAQ Stock MarketSM under the symbol: KTEC.

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