Key Technology COMPASS Optical Sorters

Key Technology has introduced new enhancements for its COMPASS belt-fed optical sorter. Delivering repeatable removal of foreign material and product defects, the sorter is designed to help processors ensure product quality while simplifying operation. Now available with advanced backlight technology, three-way sorting and a larger-capacity model size, it has enhanced sorting capabilities and production efficiency across a wider range of snacks, vegetables and other foods.

In challenging applications like kettle chips where shadows, belt staining and other variables can complicate optical inspection, the sorter is now equipped with advanced pulsed LED backlight technology. Available with both visible and near-infrared wavelengths, the backlight transmits light through the belt rather than illuminating product solely from above. 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.

For processors that need to make multiple sort decisions on a single product stream, optional three-way sorting adds a second ejection manifold that enables the sorter to separate incoming product into three independently configurable streams in a single pass. Processors can configure the third stream to recover product for rework, separate different defect categories or create multiple product grades. By performing multiple sort decisions in one pass, three-way sorting can eliminate the need for a second sorter or manual inspection station.

To support higher-capacity production lines, Key has also expanded the COMPASS family with the new B200 model featuring a 2 m-wide sorting belt.