Metal detector on cases of par frozen product
Our company produces frozen pizza crusts. These crusts are par frozen when packed and cases sent through out metal detector. The aperture height is approximately 9.5". Currently we are able to detect 4.0mm SS, 4.0mm Non-Ferrous & 3.0mm Ferrous on top of a case of product.
When I placed these into the middle of the case, none of these were detected. The ones that did detect were 4.5mm Ferrous, 5.0mm SS, but the non-ferrous will not consistently detect at 6.0mm.
Does it make sense to go further than 6.0mm for non-ferrous? Our product is only a few mm thick. How can one justify one way or the other?
Does it make sense to go further than 6.0mm for non-ferrous? Our product is only a few mm thick. How can one justify one way or the other?
Dear P&S,
I presume (hope) the middle of yr case is close to the centre line of the metal detector aperture.
The generic answer to above is you set a validatable standard. :smile:
The choice of standard comes from various directions, eg -
(a) legislatory requirements (priority) = ?
(b) hazardous metal size = ?
© detection capability MD = ?
(d) food matrix = ?
Ideally most people prefer a quality of zero metallic contamination. :smile: From a safety POV, opinions vary as to "hazardous metal size, ranging from zero to many millimetres depending legally often on where you are, type of customer, etc.
Technically / practically, (c,d) often dominate for routine, non-legislatory situations.
Yr aperture size is large which is relevant and matrix may be difficult (??) but offhand, yr MD looks under-performing if compared to typical capabilities. It is also curious that detection of SS is better than non-Fe.
For example, see the refs in this post -
http://www.ifsqn.com...ge-2#entry68189
Maybe time for a MD / wand checkup ?
Rgds / Charles.C