Key Technology Upgraded Compass Optical Sorter Line
New hardware additions and software analytics help food processors improve detection of foreign materials and production speeds.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Consumer Goods
Live Poll
Do you trust automated sorting technology to improve food quality in your local food products?
Key Technology has introduced significant upgrades to its Compass optical sorter product line, including new backlight technology and a high-capacity model. The enhancements aim to improve product defect detection and overall throughput for food manufacturing operations.
Why it matters
These upgrades address persistent challenges in product quality control by enhancing the ability to identify foreign materials and defects. By moving to a three-way sorting configuration, operators can improve efficiency by separating product streams in a single pass.
The upgraded Compass series now includes a two-meter-wide B200 model designed to handle higher-throughput production lines. This is a significant increase in footprint compared to traditional sorting belt sizes used in current operations.
The players
Key Technology
A member of the Duravant group that manufactures advanced optical sorting and processing equipment for food manufacturing.
Duravant
A global engineered equipment company that serves the food processing, packaging, and material handling industries.
The details
The enhanced backlight system utilizes pulsed LED technology across both visible and near-infrared wavelengths to transmit light directly through the belt, which improves the visual detection of contaminants. Operators can implement a three-way configuration using a second ejection manifold, allowing for the separation of product into three distinct streams simultaneously. Additionally, the integration of Key Discovery software provides standardized analytics and reporting across all Compass units.
Timeline
Key Technology announced the Compass sorter enhancements on October 7, 2026.
Market Landscape
These upgrades reflect a broader industry shift toward integrating advanced lighting and data analytics into the standard Compass optical sorter platform. This development extends the capabilities of current sorting technology to meet the rising demand for higher-speed and higher-precision production.
Operators currently using older sorting equipment should review whether their current throughput limitations justify an upgrade to the B200 model. Assess your existing defect-detection accuracy against the performance of this new near-infrared capable system to determine if it reduces rework costs.
The takeaway
Advancements in automated inspection provide a clear path to lower operational waste and higher production consistency. Business owners should review their current reject rates and line throughput metrics to see if three-way sorting could streamline their secondary product streams.
Further reading
For more on industry technology and equipment trends, visit Consumer Goods.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FoodBev Media.
Live Poll
Do you trust automated sorting technology to improve food quality in your local food products?
