Advanced Software Meets 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance Needs

Until now, the identification and removal of some metal contaminants in bulk foods has been particularly challenging for many metal detection systems. Small and irregular shaped, non-magnetic stainless steel contamination such as wire and swarf is notoriously difficult to detect in bulk products. This is due two main factors:

• The sensitivity of a metal detector is normally directly related to the size of the aperture. Generally speaking, the larger the product being inspected, the larger the aperture required to accommodate the product. A larger aperture means loss of sensitivity.

• The mass of the food product itself can create a signal (known as the ‘product effect’) which can be large enough to hide the small signal generated by a metal contaminant.

The new RB Series Profile metal detector from METTLER TOLEDO Safeline is specifically designed to inspect bulk products. It is particularly suited to the inspection of 25 or 50 kilo sacks of powdered ingredients as well as large block products such as frozen/fresh meats and large dairy products.

Maximised Detection Performance

At the heart of RB Series detectors is Safeline’s Profile electronics platform. The detectors also benefit from an advanced detection coil system and new detector head geometry that delivers incredible levels of sensitivity in extremely large aperture configurations.

Typically, the RB Series detector is capable of delivering sensitivities smaller than 1.8mm in detectors with apertures of 650 mm x 400mm.

In addition to the special coil configuration and enlarged detector head geometry, the performance of the RB Series Profile detectors has been further enhanced by the development of a new software algorithm that significantly reduces the effect of signals present in the environment. The algorithm also simultaneously minimises the size of the signal generated by the product being inspected.

Making Critical Control Points Reliable

Food Safety Standards demand that a HACCP audit is conducted for all food manufacturing processes and that Critical Control Points (CCP’s) are established where there is a risk of contamination. Should a problem occur with the metal detector designated as a CCP, then the production line should shut down until the problem is rectified as the control point is no longer effective.

The shutdown of a production line can be very costly and a metal detector that can inform you of a potential line stopping problem before it actually occurs is a major advantage. RB Series Profile detectors incorporate a Condition Monitoring system which gives an early warning of potential failure before it happens. This allows subsequent investigation and if needed preventative maintenance to be scheduled when convenient – for example, during a planned shutdown. This means the integrity of your inspection systems is always maintained and you are assured of meeting compliance needs.