Metal detector checks food for contamination

The THS/MS21 metal detector, available from Constant Instruments, is able to check food products for metal contaminants with a sensitivity up to 30 per cent higher than earlier models.

The instrument can detect contaminant particles at high speed even in difficult, highly conductive products such as those containing high levels of salt or fat.

'These new multi-spectrum models provide inspection standards that until now were only seen in the pharmaceutical industry,' claims Leslie Hunt, managing director, Constant Instruments.

The THS/MS21, which is manufactured by Italian metal-detection specialists CEIA SPA, meets all HACCP and GMP criteria and is fully compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 regulations.

Non-magnetic as well as magnetic metals can be detected, including high-grade stainless steel.

When a contaminant is identified the unit triggers immediate ejection of the product.

The data relating to each detection and ejection are stored in an events memory.

This certifies production quality, the inspection itself and the programming operations, as well as the necessary periodic test phases using standard test samples.

The detector constantly monitors its detection characteristics, allowing continuous compensation for any variations arising from environmental factors.

The control system is designed to manage all the functions required by the transport system, such as belt motor control, interfacing with bar code readers to identify products in real time, and ejection management including verification of successful ejection.

The detector has an Autolearn feature that optimises detection sensitivity for maximum speed and precision - equivalent to hundreds of conventional learning transits.

New tools have been included to help installation and maintenance technicians measure the environmental compatibility of the detector - a task that previously required the use of separate instruments.

Measurements include general mechanical and electromagnetic compatibility, specific electromagnetic compatibility and automatic examination of the degree of interference produced by the conveyor belt - particularly important given the THS/MS21's extremely high sensitivity.

A Bluetooth interface allows easy connection to the control system.

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