In processing plants, scanning raw ingredients for metal contaminants is crucial to food safety. Adding upstream detection systems to free-falling, dry-product processes can make it easier to detect contaminants, trace to the source, and alert staff of issues before they become a cause for recall. While gravity detection systems are popular solutions for metal contaminant detection in dry-product contexts, the systems come with several pitfalls. In light of the issues that come with gravity systems in general, Fortress Technology has enhanced its Stealth Gravity metal detector to increase productivity, improve safety, and maintain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) compliance.

The Fortress Stealth Gravity metal detector offers best-in-class detection of magnetic and non-magnetic metals in flour, rice, cereal, sugar, powder, and grain production lines. The metal detectors are custom manufactured to accommodate different food factory layouts, such as mezzanine floors, ceiling mounts, product chutes and hoppers, among others. The metal detectors also include features that are designed to save time and labor:

• Halo Automatic Testing, which is an automatic, routine testing feature that eliminates production downtime, as well as reduces waste and product rework
• Accurate, high speed reject capabilities that alert operatives to detected contaminants with an audible and visual alarm, and confirms contaminant rejection with an alert
• A roll-out, easy-to-clean diverter valve reject system that allows for deep cleaning and maintenance to occur with minimal business disruption.

The Fortress Stealth Gravity metal detector is available in a variety of food-grade, anti-static, in-feed pipe standard sizes, including 75 mm, 150 mm, and 200 mm. The metal detector is also built to withstand vibrations and temperature changes without compromising performance, and meets hazardous location standards.