Key Technology invests in high-tech spectrometer

Key Technology has invested in a hyper-spectral imaging spectrometer that advances the way it analyses and evaluates new applications and technologies for developing sorting systems. Located at Key’s customer visitor centre, the state-of-the-art Product Definer speeds up the ability to tailor the ideal intelligent sorting system for the specific characteristics of a product.

 “Investing in the most sophisticated Product Definer available allows us to do the most thorough rapid prototyping – knowledge that we use to define the ideal combination of cameras and lasers for each customer, and develop the next-generation of sorters,” said Marco Azzaretti, optical product manager at Key Technology. “With new sensor technology and greater software-driven intelligence, we’re changing the landscape of traditional optical sorting and ushering in a new era of digital sorting. The Product Definer is a tool that helps accelerate this transformation.”
Unlike the single point spectrometers traditionally used, Key’s Product Definer gathers data from thousands of wavelengths simultaneously, capturing images from the visible range and far beyond. In addition to hyper-spectral imaging data, this advanced Product Definer collects data about objects’ fluorescence. The images are saved, creating a spectral library of objects’ unique signatures and fingerprints. Collecting this data expands Key’s knowledge base and fuels the development of new sorting solutions that satisfy unmet needs, including difficult or previously impossible sorting challenges.

Hyperspectral image of sugar and potato strips, as captured by Key Technology’s Product Definer, aids in designing new sorting systems that solve outstanding product quality problems

Related link: Advanced digital sorting solutions