The COMPASS® optical sorter, developed by Key Technology (a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group), is a belt-fed sorting system specifically designed for potato chips, tortilla chips, and other similar snack products. It combines advanced sorting technology with user-friendly operation to ensure food safety, product quality, and operational efficiency.
Key Features
1. Precision Sorting & Defect Removal
- Detects and removes product defects such as dark spots, green discoloration, and bruises.
- Eliminates foreign materials (FM) like fryer debris.
- Uses NEXT sort engine with up to 8 channels of multispectral sensor data, providing far greater detection capability than conventional 3-channel cameras.
- Analyzes color, size, shape, and structural properties of every chip to identify even the smallest defects.
2. Smart Operation & Controls
- Recipe-driven programming allows operators to easily create, adjust, or add new sort profiles for different products or grades.
- User interface mimics smartphone navigation, making it intuitive for new operators—requiring as little as 30 minutes of training.
- Automatic belt tracking compensates for belt stretch or shrinkage, reducing downtime and eliminating frequent manual adjustments.
3. Hygienic & Easy to Maintain
- Built with open architecture, sloped surfaces, and minimal moving parts for maximum sanitation.
- Sensors and light windows are positioned to avoid product splatter.
- Stain-resistant belt technology maintains accurate inspection over long runs.
- Collection systems like counter-rotating brushes and scrapers direct debris into removable bins.
- Quick belt removal and an open-access design simplify cleaning and maintenance.
- Full washdowns can be completed in as little as 15 minutes.
4. Performance & Productivity
- Designed for sustained performance over long production cycles with minimal human intervention.
- Delivers fast return on investment (ROI) through improved product quality and reduced labor costs.
- Suitable not just for chips but also extruded snacks, pellets, sesame sticks, and specialty items.
5. Data-Driven Intelligence
- Equipped with Key Discovery™ data analytics software, turning the sorter into an IIoT-connected device.
- Provides detailed product quality insights and process data.
- Enables processors to optimize upstream operations, such as fryer settings, based on real-time quality feedback.
