October 1, 2026 (Key release) — Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, has introduced new enhancements for its COMPASS belt-fed optical sorter. Delivering precise, repeatable removal of foreign material and product defects, COMPASS helps processors ensure product quality while simplifying operation and providing a quick return on investment. Now available with advanced backlight technology, three-way sorting and a larger-capacity model size, COMPASS offers enhanced sorting capabilities and production efficiency across a wider range of snacks, vegetables and other foods.

“Every one of these enhancements started with a real operational need our customers brought to us. That’s how COMPASS has evolved since we introduced it, not by adding features for their own sake, but by listening closely to processors and translating what we learn in the field into engineering that delivers practical solutions,” said Gina Maria Bonini, President of Key Technology. “COMPASS was developed to combine advanced sorting performance with the kind of simplicity that today's production teams depend on. These new enhancements help processors address more inspection requirements without adding complexity for operators.”

In challenging applications like kettle chips where shadows, belt staining and other variables can complicate optical inspection, COMPASS is now equipped with advanced pulsed LED backlight technology. Available with both visible and near-infrared wavelengths, the backlight transmits light through the belt rather than illuminating product solely from above. This approach improves product segmentation, reduces the impact of shadows and helps mitigate the effects of belt staining that can interfere with defect and foreign material detection. As a result, processors can achieve a more consistent sort under a broader range of operating conditions.

For processors that need to make multiple sort decisions on a single product stream, optional three-way sorting adds a second ejection manifold that enables COMPASS to separate incoming product into three independently configurable streams in a single pass. Processors can configure the third stream to recover product for rework, separate different defect categories or create multiple product grades. By performing multiple sort decisions in one pass, three-way sorting can eliminate the need for a second sorter or manual inspection station, helping processors improve operational efficiency, reduce labor requirements and maximize product recovery.

To support higher-capacity production lines, Key has also expanded the COMPASS family with the new B200 model featuring a 2-meter-wide sorting belt. Sorter sizing plays an important role in overall sorting performance. This larger system gives processors running high-throughput lines an option better suited for their production requirements, helping optimize sorting accuracy to protect product quality and yield. It also allows processors to achieve required throughput with a single sorter rather than multiple smaller systems, simplifying line design and reducing overall system complexity.

All COMPASS sorters combine advanced sensing technologies, intuitive recipe-driven operation and a hygienic, open design to streamline cleaning and maintenance. Every sorter is equipped with Key Discovery, an analytics and reporting software that provides actionable production data to help processors improve performance throughout their operation. Key provides customer support worldwide through an extensive sales network and its global service team.

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