Metal detectors or x-ray?
Three differentials food
factories should consider
The global metal detector market is
buoyant and expected to reach an
estimated $1.6 billion by 2022. Forecast
to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2017
to 2022, continued investment can be
attributed to stringent government and
consumer protection regulations. The
industrial segment, comprising the food
and pharmaceutical sectors, is expected
to remain the largest end user of metal
detectors.
Given that investment in inspection
systems by food factories looks set to
continue, Phil Brown, MD of Fortress
Technology Europe tackles the equipment
options in the most widespread food and
packaging application scenarios, cutting
through the confusion on the pros and
pitfalls of metal detectors versus x-ray.
Choosing the best food inspection
technology is not always straightforward.
Some users gravitate towards x-ray
systems perceiving them to be more
versatile. It’s true that they have the
ability to carry out further product
inspection functions that are beyond
the scope of metal detectors, such as
spotting missing or broken products or
checking the fill level. However, users
need to be sure that any technical
advantage will actually add value, since
the pros and cons of metal detection
versus x-ray can make it difficult to
gauge which technology is the most
effective and cost-optimised solution in and the mode of transport through the Phil provides several impartial pointers to
practice. unit, in addition to density differentials. help make the decision-making process
Putting this into context, x-ray systems less of a minefield.
Success with metal detectors tends cannot generally be used in a gravity to depend on the materials involved inspection configuration because of the CONSIDER TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP
(the product, the packaging and the inconsistent density within the falling NOT JUST PURCHASE PRICE
contamination), while x-ray detectors product stream. This rules them out are more likely to be affected by other of many bagging operations, such as parameters such as the shape of product vertical form fill and seal lines.
14 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk
Financial outlay is naturally a big
consideration for food plants.