Key Technology introduces new automated grading system for fresh green beans

摘要

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces a new automated grading system for fresh green beans. This turnkey solution automatically removes defective green beans and foreign material (FM), while also separating green beans in clusters or with attached stems and then directing them for further processing. This integrated grading solution, consisting of Key's Iso-Flo® vibratory and rotary separation equipment combined with a VERYX® digital sorter, significantly reduces labor requirements, increases throughput and achieves consistent product quality, even during times of high incoming defect rates. "Prior to this development, most fresh pack green bean lines had to rely extensively on manual labor, which is expensive, hard to find and often unreliable - packers need a better option. With our new automated grading system, customers are able to reduce the number of manual graders by up to 70 percent," said Jeff Nielsen, Area Sales Manager at Key. "Additionally, the system's high throughput achieves faster grading and packing, handling the same number of loads in a snorter period of time to create a shorter workday or work week for the entire packing house. This enables the grower to harvest and pack ahead of incoming adverse weather conditions that can destroy his crops and lower his pack-out rates."