Food tech innovator launches advanced optical sorter for IQF products
Key Technology, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, has announced the introduction of their COMPASS® optical sorter, designed specifically for the processing of individually quick frozen (IQF) products such as fruits, vegetables, seafood, poultry and meat.
The new COMPASS optical sorter aims to enhance food safety and product quality by identifying and removing foreign materials (FM) and product defects.
According to Jack Lee, Duravant Group President – Food Sorting and Handling Solutions: “On IQF production lines, processors often handle dozens of different products and change over several times a day. Optical sorters for these applications require a great degree of flexibility and must maintain high accuracy despite significant product changes. COMPASS’s intuitive user interface and straightforward recipe-driven programming means even entry-level workers with no technical background can easily operate this system to achieve peak performance.”
Sophisticated capabilities for comprehensive inspection
COMPASS is designed to handle a wide range of IQF products, including whole items, slices, dices and crumbles, as well as product mixes. Utilising in-air inspection technology, the chute-fed sorter is able to comprehensively assess all sides of the product, ensuring no blind spots. The system is capable of detecting and rejecting a variety of foreign materials, including plastic, glass, metal, stones and extraneous vegetable matter (EVM) such as leaves and toxic weeds. Additionally, it can be programmed to remove processor-specified product defects with a high degree of accuracy and minimal false rejects.
When inspecting mixed product applications, COMPASS can be configured to ensure the correct proportions of ingredients are maintained. Situated at the end of the processing line, immediately prior to packaging, the advanced sorter helps to guarantee final product quality and safety.
Enhanced ease of use and sanitation
A key focus in the design of COMPASS was to maximise ease of use and simplify cleaning and maintenance requirements. The ergonomic user interface, resembling that of a smart device, enables intuitive navigation for even novice operators. The open, washdown-compatible design and easy access for personnel further enhance the system’s sanitation capabilities.
Recipe-driven programming ensures consistent sorting performance across all product runs, an essential feature for high-changeover applications. Operators can create new recipes or adjust existing ones to accommodate product changes without the need for support from application engineers or service technicians.
Data-driven insights for operational improvements
COMPASS is equipped with Key Discovery™, a suite of data analytics and reporting software that enables the sorter to collect, analyse and share data about every object flowing through the system. This powerful tool can reveal patterns and trends, providing processors with valuable insights into their operations.
Global support and customisation options
Key Technology supports its customers worldwide through an extensive sales network and a global service team. COMPASS is available in multiple sizes to satisfy a wide range of customer applications and capacity requirements. Its modular design and sophisticated object-based recognition capabilities facilitate the implementation of advanced shape sorting algorithms and intelligent ejection systems to maximise sort accuracy and minimise false rejects.
As food processors continue to face increasing demands for product quality and safety, the introduction of COMPASS by Key Technology represents a significant advancement in optical sorting technology tailored for the IQF segment. With its enhanced capabilities, ease of use and data-driven insights, the new system aims to deliver a quick return on investment for processors seeking to optimise their operations and stay ahead in the competitive food industry.
- For more information, visit key.net
