Key Technology to showcase new application for optical sorter
Key Technology will showcase a new application for its next-generation COMPASS optical sorter for chips at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, set for Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
An application for the belt-fed sorter designed specifically for potato chips, tortilla chips and similar snack foods will be on display at the event. Key previously announced the Las Vegas debut of the machine, which can also handle wet, stick and delicate products.
The COMPASS identifies and removes product defects and foreign material using recipe-driven programming and a user interface designed to mimic smartphone app navigation, according to a news release.
“Key has been at the forefront of potato chip sorting and handling technology for decades, and COMPASS represents the next evolution in our commitment to this industry,” said Jack Lee, Duravant group president of food sorting and handling. “We’ve leveraged our extensive applications expertise to develop innovations that address the real operational challenges of chip processors, including automatic belt tracking, intuitive controls and clean-in-place features for extended run times between sanitation cycles.”
Key is a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Group.
Powered by Key’s advanced NEXT sort engine, COMPASS detects and rejects product defects including dark spots, green discoloration and white knot bruises, along with foreign material such as fryer debris. Equipped with customizable camera options and up to eight channels of sensor data, the sorter can detect the color, size, shape and structural properties of objects to identify smaller defects than systems with conventional three-channel cameras, according to the company.
COMPASS features an open design with sensors and light windows positioned away from product splatter, along with stain-resistant belt technology. Specialized collection systems, including counter-rotating brushes or scrapers, direct oil and chip debris into removable bins. The belt is removable for cleaning.
The COMPASS, available in multiple configurations, is also equipped with Key Discovery, a data analytics and reporting software system that delivers detailed product quality and sorting data.
