Designed to fit between scale and bagger on a vertical form/fill/seal system, this metal detector runs at speeds of up to 250 bags per minute and tilts down to facilitate cleaning.
 
Advice to buyers

Because there are so many choices for inline inspection and safety functions, vendors of these systems advise buyers to research them thoroughly.

“Do your homework,” Ms. Sharpe said. “Speak to other processors who use such systems for products and processes similar to your own. Also, do the product testing.” Inline inspection system vendors like Fortress Technology encourage users to test at the manufacturers’ factories.


The characteristics of the products drive applications. “Understand what product attributes are important to the customer, and focus the inspection criteria on these,” Mr. McGhie said. “The inspection system should be able to measure these attributes in a way that is easily understood by operators and thus gives the operator confidence in the measurement.”

Remember that food safety can be a moving target. “Your requirements and FDA’s may change, so it is important to work with a vendor that is going to provide timely and reliable ongoing support,” Mr. McGhie advised.

And consider the future. “Always buy the latest technology, especially today,” Mr. Pedersen urged. “The technology is evolving faster than the machines become obsolete. You may need to spend a bit more, but buying the newest technology, you’ll get more life from the system.”

A line of X-ray inspection systems is designed to save space and offer touch-screen interfaces running intuitive software.

Find resources for metal detectors and X-ray by visitingwww.esourcebaking.com. Browse by category under Equipment, and click on Package for listings.