#3 ENHANCE OPERATOR SAFETY
Not only will operators be safer with
ATS, but fewer of them will be needed to
conduct testing. For example, instead of
one operator having to climb high to drop
a sample through the aperture, and one to
record the result and remove the sample
from the production line, ATS testing
can be completed by a single operator.
It virtually eliminates the need to work
at height to conduct routine testing and
removes the need for operators to reach
across installed equipment to insert a test
sample.
When connected to centralised data
collection and management systems,
such as Mettler-Toledo’s ProdX software,
ATS provides electronic records that
are easily stored for future reference,
for audit compliance or proof of due
diligence. Having electronically stored
data reduces the risk of errors or loss
associated with paper records. This
also supports rigorous quality control
regimes, production optimisation and
simplified production line operation.
#2 INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
ATS tests are much faster than
traditional testing methods. An end-toend
3-metal test (ferrous, non-ferrous
and stainless steel) can be completed by
a single operator in under 40 seconds,
compared to an average three to four
minutes and two operators using
traditional, manual methods.
By using RT Mode to reduce testing
frequency from every two hours to
every 12 hours, a typical snack food
manufacturer with 24 weigher-bagger
lines running at an average of 100 bags
per minute could save more than 4000
man-hours and produce 25 million more
packs per year.
Mettler Toledo’s online calculators
www.mt.com/md-roi-rt enable food
manufacturers to work out how much
they could benefit from using ATS and
RT Mode.
#4 IMPROVE PRODUCT QUALITY
AND FOOD SAFETY
ATS is a non-invasive method of testing,
so test samples do not come into
contact with food, removing the danger
of cross-contamination. The higher
sensitivity levels of RT Mode mean
that smaller, irregularly shaped metal
contaminants can be detected. RT Mode
also continuously checks the performance
of the metal detector to ensure it is
always working to a level as good as,
or better than, the food manufacturer’s
specifications.
#5 ADDITIONAL FEATURE TO
FACILITATE SOCIAL DISTANCING
REQUIREMENTS
Additional to ATS and RT Mode is an
‘Emulation’ feature which allows operators
to remotely control the metal detectors
by mirroring their interfaces on remote
networked devices. This is ideal for testing
of systems installed in inaccessible
locations plus also supports COIVD-19
social distancing requirements and
enhances operator safety.
Food manufacturers can try out
Mettler-Toledo’s ATS ROI Calculator
here: www.mt.com/md-roi-rt
For more information, download Mettler-
Toledo’s “Five Reasons to Invest in
Automatic Test System”:
www.mt.com/md-ats
FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 35