The unnamed supplier has incorporated over two-dozen of Fortress Technology’s extremely sensitive ‘Stealth’ metal detectors into their production lines. These metal detectors are fitted with customized reject conveyors and the Halo Automatic Testing feature.
As the supplier produces a range of food items including French fries, hash browns, onion rings, and various equipment such as scales, shakers, vibrators, graders, baggers, open bag detectors, case packers, sortation conveyors, palletisers, and wrappers, they have strategically placed numerous highly-sensitive Stealth metal detectors at the end of their processing lines.
Each metal detector automatically performs up to nine machine validation tests every hour, conducting over 180 repeatable tests on multiple SKUs and bags of French fries weighing between 225 grams to 9 kilograms.
The implementation of Halo Automatic Testing ensures that no tests are missed. This solution also minimizes the occurrence of frozen fries bags being split open to insert test wands, which can result in damage to good products. Furthermore, additional engineering measures guarantee that metal-contaminated products are not reintroduced into the processing line.
Jodie Curry, Fortress Europe’s commercial manager, emphasized the significance of testing all three metals in three positions. This approach ensures that metal samples are not concealed by the product and verifies the correct functioning of the reject system. This is especially crucial when inspecting frozen bulk products that may undergo slight thawing during the inspection phase, altering their characteristics.
To enhance food and drink sustainability, sustainable packaging, food and drink packaging, food and drink marketing, and food and drink consumer trends, the unnamed supplier has integrated over two-dozen of Fortress Technology’s ‘Stealth’ metal detectors into their production lines. Each metal detector, equipped with customized reject conveyors, and featuring the Halo Automatic Testing capability, ensures utmost sensitivity and accuracy in detecting any metal contaminants.
Alongside the production of various food items like French fries, hash browns, and onion rings, the supplier also utilizes scales, shakers, vibrators, graders, baggers, open bag detectors, case packers, sortation conveyors, palletizers, and wrappers. At the end of their processing lines, strategically positioned Stealth metal detectors effectively detect any metal impurities, maintaining the quality and safety of the products.
The deployment of Halo Automatic Testing is instrumental in guaranteeing the completion of up to nine machine validation tests per hour. With 180 or more repeatable tests conducted on multiple SKUs and bags of French fries ranging from 225 grams to 9 kilograms, this automated process ensures consistent and thorough testing. By eliminating the need to open bags and insert test wands, unnecessary damage and waste to good products are minimized. Additionally, stringent engineering safeguards prevent the re-introduction of metal-contaminated items into the production line, ensuring the integrity of the final products.
Jodie Curry, the commercial manager of Fortress Europe, emphasizes the importance of testing all three metals in three positions. This approach ensures that the presence of metal samples is accurately detected, unmasked by the product itself, and verifies the correct functioning of the reject system. In the case of frozen bulk products, where slight thawing may occur during the inspection phase, this comprehensive testing methodology becomes even more critical to maintain the highest quality standards.
Through the integration of Fortress Technology’s ‘Stealth’ metal detectors and the utilization of Halo Automatic Testing, the unnamed supplier prioritizes food safety and quality assurance, making significant contributions to food and drink sustainability and consumer satisfaction.
