Go Beyond Metal Detection – Benefits of Integrated System Solutions

Having a reliable and highly sensitive metal detection system within a production line is important, especially in the current climate. It allows manufacturers to fulfil their basic regulatory requirements by providing a fully tested solution for detecting metal contaminants, increasing consumer safety and quality assurance.

“We know the benefits a metal detector can bring to a production line; however, having an integrated conveyorized metal detection system provides far greater benefits than merely the detection of metal contaminants,” says Mike Bradley, Product Inspection Specialist from Mettler-Toledo.

“With a complete solution from the same supplier, manufacturers can rest assured their metal detection system supports compliance with food safety legislation and retailer requirements, and be confident that it delivers the best possible mechanical integration for maximum production uptime. Supplementing the system with electronic data collection software such as ProdX takes it one step further to ensure manufacturers have a fully integrated process solution that enhances compliance and increases production efficiency.”

Reliable, precise performance starts with choosing the right metal detector

At the most basic level, metal detectors are installed to help ensure compliance with food safety standards, and to protect expensive downstream equipment. In these instances, it may be enough to install an entry level metal detector that offers a solid level of performance and reliability, particularly if the product is dry and not subject to product effect.

However, if productivity and brand protection are the key drivers, rather than essential compliance, then a metal detector that is optimized for a specific application and delivers higher sensitivity performance may be the most cost-effective investment in the long run.

For example, Profile Advantage metal detectors offer a unique combination of Multi-Simultaneous Frequency and Product Signal Suppression technology to overcome a phenomenon called ‘Product Effect.’ This is where the product’s own characteristics – such as moisture, salt content, temperature and other factors – can limit the metal detector’s ability to distinguish between the product itself and a contaminant.

Profile Advantage is able to overcome the issue of Product Effect by minimizing the active product signal. This has two key advantages – it can detect significantly smaller irregular-shaped contaminants, and it can virtually eliminate false rejects. Food and beverage manufactures thus reduce their risk of a product recall, and increase their staff efficiency by reducing the investigative burden associated with those false rejects, as well as reducing unnecessary product waste.

Optimized Quality Assurance

By investing in a single-supplier solution, food and beverage manufacturers benefit by having a solution that delivers the best possible mechanical and electrical integration for maximum potential uptime.

Our latest GC Series metal detection systems offer a range of options, from stop-on-detect through to fully-automated reject systems, so that metal contaminated products are detected, rejected and removed from the production process. Three levels of due diligence packages, with a suite of failsafe monitoring options, are available to meet specific compliance requirements.

Highly configurable systems deliver future-proof flexibility

The unique modular design of the new GC Series systems provides interchangeable reject devices and greater configuration flexibility of components. Modifications can be made in-situ, no welding, drilling, or cutting required.

“This is the key to a future-proofed conveyorized system,” says Bradley. “We have created a design that meets changing requirements for food manufacturers. With production costs increasing, our customers need solutions that help to reduce total cost of ownership, and grow and change with their business. The modular design also means that service interventions are safer, faster and easier – reducing production downtime.”

For more information, visit www.mt.com/md-gc-5-reasons