Fruit and vegetable sorting

The Key Technology Manta high-volume, high-performance sorter features a 2 m wide scan area that increases throughput within a space-saving footprint. Handling up to 27 metric tonnes of processed vegetables or fruit per hour, Manta offers high-resolution scanning to detect and remove the smallest defects and foreign material. In addition to processed vegetables and fruit, Manta is being developed for other industry applications.

Designed for versatility and superior sanitation, this sorter increases production capacity while maximising product quality and food safety.

With a high number of sensors and image processing modules, Manta maintains the high resolution of narrow-belt sorters on its wider, higher capacity frame. Designed for flexibility, Key can configure Manta with up to eight top-mounted colour or vis/IR (visible infrared) cameras and up to two top-mounted FluoRaptor fluorescence-sensing lasers. Optional bottom-mounted sensors can be added to meet the specific needs of each application.

Modularity allows Manta to be easily reconfigured in the field, which enables processors to confidently select a camera/laser arrangement knowing that the sorting system can grow if their needs change.

Manta’s dynamic design supports on-belt viewing as well as off-belt, in-air viewing, which can also be modified in the field at a later date if needed.

Using Key’s colour cameras, Manta recognises each object’s size and shape as well as millions of subtle colour differences to remove defects based on user-defined accept/reject standards. Adding FluoRaptor to Manta expands the sorter’s inspection capabilities by reliably detecting foreign material and extraneous vegetable matter based on differing levels of chlorophyll. Combining colour and laser sorting on one platform provides a comprehensive sort.