Key Technology Introduces COMPASS Optical Sorter for Leafy Greens

Key Technology, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group, introduced its COMPASS optical sorter for leafy greens. Designed to inspect fresh-cut product straight from the field, Key said this belt-fed system combines high-performance foreign material (FM) detection and removal with gentle, hygienic product handling. Featuring intuitive controls and an open, easy-to-clean design, COMPASS helps processors protect food safety, reduce labor requirements and achieve a fast return on investment, said Key. 

“Foreign material is one of the biggest challenges at this early stage of leafy greens processing, but many processors can’t justify the expense or complexity of traditional optical sorting systems. COMPASS changes that,” said Jack Lee, Duravant Food Sorting and Handling Group president “It delivers accurate and reliable FM removal in a user-friendly, cost-effective solution engineered to withstand the dirt and debris common at the front end of leafy greens lines.”

Ideal for sorting spinach, arugula and other unwashed, fresh-cut leafy greens including salad mixes, COMPASS identifies and rejects a wide variety of FM including dirt clods, rocks, sticks, insects and animal parts, as well as product defects when running single varieties, said Key. 

With the goal of simplifying operation and reducing training requirements, COMPASS is recipe driven and features a touchscreen interface that mimics smartphone app navigation. Operators can learn to run the system in less than 30 minutes, easily create new recipes and quickly changeover between different products or salad blends, said Key. Intelligent belt control automatically maintains proper belt tracking, minimizing downtime and eliminating the need for manual adjustments, the company said. 

COMPASS is equipped with customizable camera options including up to eight channels of multispectral sensor data to deliver advanced performance at a lower cost of ownership than laser-based sorters, said Key. When configured with Key’s Pixel Fusion detection technology, COMPASS combines visible, infrared and shortwave infrared data at the pixel level to produce optimal contrasts for finding even the most difficult-to-detect FM and product defects, said Key. An optional chlorophyll-sensitive detection channel can further enhance contrast between leafy greens and FM.

Fresh-cut leafy greens are lightweight and often moist, which can cause them to clump, overlap or stick to surfaces during sorting if not properly handled. Key combines COMPASS with the ideal infeed conveying systems to effectively present product to the sorter’s inspection zone, maximizing sort accuracy, said the company. Key said optional air-assist systems create a controlled curtain of air that improves the transition from the infeed conveyor to the belt for gentle product flow. Air knives at discharge help carry leaves through the pass stream, minimizing the chance of good product falling short or sticking, according to Key. 

Key Technology said it designed COMPASS for maximum sanitation and easy cleaning with an open frame, sloped surfaces and quick-release belt removal for fast washdowns. 

The open architecture provides clear visibility into the product zone, said Key. An optional counter-rotating roller can prevent product buildup at the divider between accept and reject streams, keeping the discharge area clean and maintaining consistent product flow. With its cantilevered frame and open discharge area, COMPASS offers ample space for integration with collection conveyors, water flumes or other downstream equipment, said Key. For processors upgrading from Key’s legacy Optyx optical sorter, COMPASS shares the same height and length. 

Every COMPASS is equipped with Key Discovery, a data analytics and reporting software that transforms the sorter into an IIoT-connected device and information center, giving processors real-time insights into line performance and product quality trends, according to Key. 

For more information on Key’s optical sorters, visit www.key.net/en/our-products/sorting/.