Key Technology launches COMPASS optical sorter for fresh and IQF vegetable processing
Key Technology will introduce the COMPASS® optical sorter, a purpose-built inspection system for fresh and individually quick-frozen (IQF) corn, peas and green beans, at Expo Pack Mexico, June 2-5, 2026.
Designed for vegetable processors managing multiple SKUs, product medleys and frequent changeovers, COMPASS targets the precise, repeatable removal of foreign material (FM) and product defects across varied production requirements. The system is available in belt-fed configurations for fresh applications and chute-fed configurations for IQF lines.
Sensing architecture and detection capability
At the core of COMPASS is Key Technology’s multi-channel sensing architecture, which combines multi-wavelength strobing to generate up to eight streams of inspection data. The company’s proprietary Pixel Fusion™ detection technology operates at the pixel level, fusing visible and infrared data to sharpen contrast for identifying FM and product defects that are difficult to distinguish from good product.
Object-based recognition and shape analysis further enable the sorter to differentiate contaminants that closely resemble acceptable product, reducing false reject rates. The system is capable of identifying stones, sticks, plastic, metal and extraneous vegetable matter, as well as discoloured or damaged product. In IQF applications, it also targets large ice or frozen agglomerates.
Key Technology notes that in many applications COMPASS delivers detection performance comparable to laser-based sorters, but without the mechanical scanning components that typically increase maintenance requirements and long-term operating costs.
Fresh and IQF configurations
For fresh corn, peas and green beans, COMPASS is configured as a belt-fed sorter suited to wet, debris-heavy environments where conventional optical systems can struggle to maintain consistent performance. Intelligent belt control provides automated belt tracking and tensioning to minimise downtime, while quick-release belt removal is intended to streamline sanitation and maintenance routines.
For IQF applications, the chute-fed configuration is designed for final quality inspection, with the capability to sort slices, dices and medleys across virtually any vegetable type. Optional high-powered ejectors provide the force required to remove dense or heavy contaminants such as ice chunks, while maintaining the precision needed to limit false rejects.
Recipe-driven operation and changeover efficiency
COMPASS incorporates recipe-driven programming accessed through a touchscreen interface. Selecting a stored recipe automatically adjusts sort parameters, removing the need for manual recalibration between product runs. Processors can create and tune new product recipes directly within the interface using product-specific templates, without requiring intervention from an application engineer or service technician.
“Vegetable processors are navigating more competitive markets with tighter margins, broader portfolios and leaner workforces. Equipment must carry more responsibility while asking less of the people running it,” said Gina Maria Bonini, President of Key Technology – Americas. “COMPASS reflects our decades of food processing expertise, bringing together our deep investment in sensing science and application engineering. It raises the bar for optical sorting performance while making it easy for facility teams to run, clean and maintain.”
Hygienic design and data analytics
The system was developed with an open, washdown-ready hygienic design, providing clear access to cameras and lighting for cleaning while protecting internal components. COMPASS comes equipped with Key Discovery, an analytics and reporting software that collects and analyses data on yield, reject rates, raw material variability and upstream line performance.
COMPASS is available in multiple sizes and modular configurations to meet a range of capacity requirements. Key Technology supports its installed base through a global sales and service network.
- For more information, visit: key.net/en/our-products/sorting
