Key Technology Introduces COMPASS Optical Sorters for Nuts

Key Technology, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, introduces its COMPASS optical sorter for nuts at Pack Expo booth S-2858. The system identifies and removes undesirable product defects and foreign material (FM) such as shells, shell fragments, rocks and wood sticks. COMPASS helps nut processors protect food safety and achieve exact final product quality specifications, including color grading, while maximizing ease of operation and increasing profitability, said Key.

“The message from nut processors is that other optical sorters on the market are overly complex and difficult to use,” said Jack Lee, Duravant group president - food sorting and handling solutions. “That’s why we designed COMPASS — to simplify operation, sanitation and maintenance while delivering consistent sort performance day in and day out across different product batches and operators. Its ergonomic user interface was developed in collaboration with UI experts to mimic the intuitive navigation of smartphone apps. With nut prices continually under pressure, processors are looking for an accurate, high-throughput sorting system that delivers a great return on investment. COMPASS fits all their needs.”

Ideal for sorting walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, peanuts, pecans, cashews and more, COMPASS finds and rejects a variety of FM and products defects such as small, loose and embedded shell fragments, membrane material, insect damage, surface scratches, color-based defects, rocks, sticks, plastics, paper and glass. Color and shape grading enables processors to meet stringent product quality specifications.

Recipe-driven operation ensures consistent sort performance on every product run, said Key. Operators can create and adjust sort recipes, including adding new products to sort, new grades or different varieties of an existing product. A new operator without any technical skills can learn how to operate the system in production in under 30 minutes, the company said.

Key tailors each COMPASS to satisfy the customer’s unique quality selection requirements. COMPASS can be equipped with next-generation shortwave infrared (SWIR) InGaAs sensors and/or visible-infrared (RGB and IR) sensors to detect the color, size, shape and/or structural properties of every object, depending on the application. COMPASS is available with Key’s proprietary Pixel Fusion technology, a solution that combines pixel-level input from multiple sensor types to produce contrasts for finding FM and product defects.

Featuring a new, open-design mechanical architecture, COMPASS has no moving parts, significantly reducing overall total cost of ownership, said Key. Sensor and light windows are positioned away from product splatter. The COMPASS architecture facilitates easy access for workers and minimizes cleaning and maintenance requirements, the company said.

COMPASS also features Key Discovery, a data analytics and reporting software that turns the sorter into an IIoT-connected device and information center for the customer’s operation. By delivering product quality and sort process information, Key Discovery gives nut processors insights into the operation of their line and product quality trends.