4 replies to this topic

[QLD]

We are currently putting together a plan to replace our plastic containers with those able to be detected by either a metal detector or x-ray. There are no standard size containers available that meet our needs so we are considering a custom batch. Expensive I know.

For metal detection the plastic can be blended with metal such as iron oxide.

For x-ray detection the plastic can be blended with Barium Sulfate.

Has anybody had any experiences of implementing either or a combination of these detectable materials into plastic containers?

[shea quay]

I had a brief experience with something a bit similar years ago. It was a bit of a disaster to be honest. If the concentration of metal in the plastic was too low, it was not picked up by the metal detector, if it was too high the plastic was quite flakey and was scratched and damaged during cleaning. It was one of those "seemed like a good idea at the time" things. Possibly the technology has moved on since. You'd also have to consider and risk assess the process for possible plastic contamination. My favourite example of this is the metal detectable brush used to spread oil to surfaces. The risk is from a bristle on the brush, but our metal detector will only pick up if there are 5-10 bristles in the product, not one. So what's the smallest piece that you predict could break off your bins and will your metal detector pick it up? Could be a question for the supplier - no point shelling out money for something that may not be any good, even if it does keep an auditor or customer happy.

[Scotty]

There is a company in the UK supplying metal detectable plastic equipment to the food industry.

Site is as follows:

http://www.klipspringer.com/kfis/view-ranges.asp?cat1=Metal detectable products&cat1id=6

Regards

[QLD]

I had a brief experience with something a bit similar years ago. It was a bit of a disaster to be honest. If the concentration of metal in the plastic was too low, it was not picked up by the metal detector, if it was too high the plastic was quite flakey and was scratched and damaged during cleaning. It was one of those "seemed like a good idea at the time" things. Possibly the technology has moved on since. You'd also have to consider and risk assess the process for possible plastic contamination. My favourite example of this is the metal detectable brush used to spread oil to surfaces. The risk is from a bristle on the brush, but our metal detector will only pick up if there are 5-10 bristles in the product, not one. So what's the smallest piece that you predict could break off your bins and will your metal detector pick it up? Could be a question for the supplier - no point shelling out money for something that may not be any good, even if it does keep an auditor or customer happy.

thank for the feedback.

We have conducted some tests of the material and can find about 2mm square which we are reasonably happy with. That is a really interesting point about the concentration impacting the plastic performance. Do you remember what type of material and at what rate it was applied in to your plastic.

[D-D]

There is a company in the UK supplying metal detectable plastic equipment to the food industry.

Site is as follows:

http://www.klipsprin....asp?cat1=Metal detectable products&cat1id=6

Regards

Klipspringer are superb; had all sorts of things from them and really fast delivery too. Only negative is they tend to call a lot to find out how things are i.e. when you will order more stuff. Not enough to put you off like tat peddlers on a holiday beach, but they don't need to do it as their service alone keeps you coming back. (I have no affiliation to them by the way).