Key Technology unveils Compass Sorter for leafy greens
Key Technology, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group, has introduced the Compass optical sorter specifically engineered for the challenges of leafy greens processing.
This belt-fed system is designed to inspect fresh-cut product directly from the field, combining high-performance foreign material (FM) detection with gentle, hygienic product handling, promising processors enhanced food safety, reduced labour costs, and a fast return on investment (ROI).
Jack Lee, Duravant Group president – food sorting and handling, commented on the gap the new system fills: “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.” He added that the solution delivers accurate, reliable FM removal in a user-friendly, cost-effective package engineered for the high dirt and debris environment at the front end of leafy greens lines.
The Compass sorter is ideal for spinach, arugula, and unwashed fresh-cut salad mixes, reliably identifying and rejecting a wide variety of contaminants. These include dirt clods, rocks, sticks, insects, and animal parts, as well as product defects when sorting single varieties. Beyond safeguarding the product, the system offers substantial operational efficiency.
The system features a touchscreen interface mimicking smartphone app navigation, making it recipe-driven. Operators can learn to run the sorter in less than 30 minutes, simplifying training and allowing quick changeovers between products. Furthermore, intelligent belt control automatically maintains proper belt tracking, minimising downtime and eliminating the need for manual adjustments, thereby reducing reliance on intensive manual labour.
To achieve superior sorting accuracy at a lower total cost of ownership than traditional laser-based systems, Compass is equipped with customisable camera options featuring up to eight channels of multispectral sensor data.
When configured with Key’s Pixel Fusion detection technology, Compass merges visible, infrared, and shortwave infrared data at the pixel level. This produces optimal contrasts crucial for finding the most difficult-to-detect FM and defects. An optional chlorophyll-sensitive detection channel further boosts the contrast between good leaves and foreign material. Crucially, Key has addressed the challenge of handling lightweight, often moist leafy greens.
The system combines Compass with specialised in-feed conveying systems and optional air-assist systems to ensure gentle product flow and maximised sort accuracy, preventing leaves from clumping or sticking.
Key designed the Compass for rapid washdowns and maximum sanitation, featuring an open frame, sloped surfaces, and a quick-release belt. A clean-in-place system beneath the belt maintains hygiene throughout production. This ease of cleaning and minimal maintenance contribute directly to higher uptime and a faster ROI.
Furthermore, every Compass unit is equipped with Key Discovery, a powerful data analytics and reporting software. This transforms the sorter into an IIoT-connected information centre, giving processors real-time insights into line performance and product quality trends to drive continuous operational improvement.
The open architecture provides clear visibility into the product zone and, for processors upgrading from Key’s legacy Optyx optical sorter, Compass shares the same height and length, allowing it to be seamlessly installed within existing lines.
