Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, has introduced three enhancements for its COMPASS® belt-fed optical sorter: advanced backlight technology, optional three-way sorting and a larger-capacity model size. The company says the sorter delivers precise, repeatable removal of foreign material and product defects, helping processors ensure product quality while simplifying operation and providing a quick return on investment. The enhancements are aimed at a wider range of snacks, vegetables and other foods.

Backlighting for difficult inspection tasks

Applications such as kettle chips can complicate optical inspection because of shadows, belt staining and other variables. To address this, COMPASS is now equipped with advanced pulsed LED backlight technology, available in both visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The backlight transmits light through the belt rather than illuminating product solely from above.

Key says this approach improves product segmentation, reduces the impact of shadows and helps mitigate the effects of belt staining that can interfere with defect and foreign material detection. As a result, the company says, processors can achieve a more consistent sort under a broader range of operating conditions.

Three streams in a single pass

For processors that need to make multiple sort decisions on a single product stream, optional three-way sorting adds a second ejection manifold. This enables COMPASS to separate incoming product into three independently configurable streams in a single pass. The third stream can be configured to recover product for rework, to separate different defect categories or to create multiple product grades.

According to Key, performing several sort decisions in one pass can eliminate the need for a second sorter or a manual inspection station, helping processors improve operational efficiency, reduce labour requirements and maximise product recovery.

A wider belt for high-throughput lines

Key has also expanded the COMPASS family with the B200 model, which features a 2-metre-wide sorting belt. The company notes that sorter sizing plays an important role in overall sorting performance, and says the larger system is better suited to high-throughput lines, helping to optimise sorting accuracy and so protect product quality and yield. It also allows processors to achieve the required throughput with a single sorter rather than several smaller systems, which Key says simplifies line design and reduces overall system complexity.

Features common to the range

All COMPASS sorters combine advanced sensing technologies, intuitive recipe-driven operation and a hygienic, open design intended to streamline cleaning and maintenance. Every sorter is equipped with Key Discovery™, analytics and reporting software that the company says provides actionable production data to help processors improve performance throughout their operation.

Gina Maria Bonini, President of Key Technology, said: “COMPASS was developed to combine advanced sorting performance with the kind of simplicity that today’s production teams depend on. These new enhancements help processors address more inspection requirements without adding complexity for operators.”

Key provides customer support worldwide through an extensive sales network and its global service team.

For more information, visit: www.key.net/en/our-products/sorting
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