Expanded Line Of Profile Metal Detection Systems Bolsters

Quality and Flexibility on Food Manufacturing Lines

To help food manufacturers respond to new regulatory pressure and shorter production runs of a variety of products, Mettler Toledo Safeline has expanded its Profile range of metal detection systems.  Designed with productivity and flexibility in mind, these latest Mettler Toledo Safeline innovations feature the most advanced detection technology for rigorous contaminant prevention and can be customised for any application. The Profile metal detectors meet HACCP audit requirements and comply with the leading GFSI standards including ISO 22000, BRC, IFS and SQF 2000.

The new Profile systems focus on rectangular apertures to facilitate inspection of products on conveyorised lines. Their ability to be formatted with fixed and multiple frequency configurations provides food producers the freedom to select a platform that best fits their needs and applications.

One metal detector in the range, the Profile LS, offers customers a selection of optional software suites, each designed to address specific functions. Its standard software packages focus on important areas for food manufacturers such as improved HACCP reporting, increased due diligence functionality, enhanced process supervision and analysis of product composition and working environments. Profile LS metal detectors can be supplied with the software suites pre-installed and ready to use, and software can be upgraded at a later date according to processor needs.

A key advance of the new Profile systems is a new software algorithm that boosts detection sensitivity to previously unattainable levels. Through reduction of environmental influence and minimisation of the product effect, which is the signal emitted from a product during inspection, contamination prevention is enhanced. Intelligent multi-channel technology also improves detection capability.          

Metal detectors are often the only defence against contamination at Critical Control Points on food manufacturing lines and any failure can lead to stoppages, which can cost thousands of pounds per hour. A cornerstone of Mettler Toledo's product inspection systems, including the Profile metal detectors, is a unique Condition Monitoring programme that allows preventive corrective action to be taken rather than reactive maintenance. The Profile's early fault warning capability is more attractive than the tradition fault notification feature of most metal detection systems as it prevents unplanned downtime.

User error is another cause of line downtime and the expanded Profile line features an ultra-secure log-in process to avoid unauthorised entry and incorrect usage of the system by inexperienced users. Ease-of-use functions, such as language options and colour touch screens, further promote correct usage. All log-ins are recorded, including the identification of the operator and access date and time, for record keeping and traceability to support compliance. 

To ensure quality and line productivity, metal detectors require regular checks such as periodic performance testing. Missed tests routines or incorrectly conducted tests can lead to non-compliance and failure to demonstrate due diligence which can seriously damage business reputation. The new Profile systems can be configured to directly send email or SMS messages to identified operators and managers to report any missed performance verification tests or non-compliance issues. Early warning alarms are communicated from the Condition Monitoring system for advanced warning of potentially line-stopping issues. These messages can also be sent directly to Mettler Toledo's local customer service facilities for enhanced support and service through a large network of field based engineers.

By capturing real-time production data over a prolonged period of time, the Profile metal detection systems give line managers the information necessary to make informed decisions to boost performance levels and quality. Through visual histograms, the systems can store data for up to 50 million product profiles, which allows food producers to account for natural product variation during line set up. Typically, metal detection systems only allow for setup to account for fewer than 10 product profiles, which could affect the accuracy of future detection, creating false positives or negatives.

Like all products in Mettler Toledo's product inspection technology portfolio, the new Profile metal detections feature functionality to help manufacturers improve quality, flexibility and productivity. The company's technologies also include x-ray and checkweighing solutions.