Tayto uses cameras and lasers to remove crisp defects

Northern Irish crisp maker Tayto is using four new Optyx digital sorters from Key Technology to control the removal of defects and foreign material (FM) during manufacture of its batch- and continuously-fried potato chips.

While most crisp makers use camera-only sorters, Tayto selected combination camera/laser sorters to better identify and remove the widest variety of defects and FM.

The cameras recognise colour, size, and shape to find defects such as green spots, bruises, and overcooked black spots. With the help of intelligent software that Key developed specifically for this application, the sorters’ lasers detect common batch-fried defects such as doubles and clumps of chips stuck together and oil-soaked and blistered chips in addition to FM.

Another unusual aspect of sorting on the batch-fry lines at Tayto is the company’s use of Key’s split-sorter configuration, which enables it to sort two different products simultaneously on each sorter. The software enables Tayto to define different defects and different rejection thresholds on each sorting lane.

Contact: Key Technology