To provide food manufacturers with a reliable, accurate and auditable testing procedure, Fortress Technology has unveiled the latest version of its Halo digital testing. Available on its full range of digital metal detectors, the self-check software is a failsafe and cost effective solution to ensure your system is meeting quality control standards.
There are two major components of a metal detector Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) audit: the physical inspection of the machinery and a documentation review. By utilising Industry 4.0 principles, Halo digital testing gives food firms the flexibility they need to manage and maintain important data.
Guaranteed to save food manufacturers time and money, Halo automatically and independently checks for all metal materials – ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel. The system also checks the performance of the reject system, forming an important part of manufacturing due diligence. Traditionally installed on throat, pipeline and gravity metal detectors that inspect loose or free-falling products on bagging lines, in addition to reducing operational costs, digital testing also reduces waste and product rework.
Typically, metal detectors are manually checked every hour for QC compliance. However, the cost of running these tests by hand can be high. Rather than relying on operatives to schedule, perform, document and submit inspection checks, Fortress Technology’s latest Halo digital testing software automates the timely aspects of the process, saving food manufacturers thousands of pounds each month.
Additionally, reducing the frequency of manual testing helps to eliminate the risk of human error and workplace injury at critical control points on a manufacturing line. Managing Director Phil Brown explains: “Manual tests on metal detectors handling free-falling products, those fitted above bagging lines or ones processing bulk products are challenging. They can be difficult to reach, need two people to complete the test and incur production loss while each test is completed.”
When specifying Halo on a Fortress metal detector, the QC test is completed with 100 percent accuracy by generating signals to disturb the magnetic field in the centre of the metal detector’s aperture. The check result shows the size to be exactly the same as if a real piece of metal passed through the detector. Production doesn’t stop while the test is in progress.
Users determine how often the system completes QC tests and how the validated test data is digitally saved for audit purposes. Tests and records can be activated automatically, remotely or manually via a sophisticated and easy-to-use, single swipe touchscreen HMI.
