Fortress claims 100% increase in stainless steel detection
The Interceptor was designed to tackle the challenge of high product rejects when using metal detectors to inspect meat, dairy, ready meals, bakery and fortified cereals applications, said the firm.
It splits the frequency signals meaning the machine can differentiate between the signal generated by the product as a result of moisture or mineral content and any metal contaminant, stopping potential stainless steel signal being ‘swamped’ by product effect.
The technology works by real-time analysis of a low and a high-frequency signal in parallel and is able to split the product and metal detection signals and then link the readings back together using an algorithm.
“Compared to the traditional approach where we would tune into specific frequencies, this new method means we can identify the product effect (most noticeable at lower frequencies) and eliminate it from the higher-frequency signal, where the potential effect of the metal is more prominent,” said Phil Brown Fortress’s sales director.
Sensitivity of the Interceptor means it can pick up metal contaminants half the dimensional size previously identifiable, said Fortress.
“Whether you are mixing batches of bread or snack ingredients or slicing and dicing wet meat, bakery and cheese products into smaller portions using wires and knives, there’s a risk of tiny fragments entering the production chain,” said Brown.
“Detection depends on the size, shape and orientation of metal particles. Although a test sample sphere isn’t a real world contaminant, a 0.5mm change in sphere size can equate to 25mm difference in wire length.”
The detector can recall the signature of a product with a single pass, making the manufacturing process simpler for production staff and reducing time spent introducing and checking operational protocols, added Fortress.
