5 replies to this topic

[Inverse]

Hi All,

 

We just had an audit from our customer and he raised an action point - to consider metal detector fail safes.

 

We use throat (waferthin) metal detector, thus automatic fail safe system is hardly possible. Any ideas how to perform a risk assessment on this kind of metal detector and how to show that we have considered fail safe systems? 

 

Any information will be greatly appreciated!

 

Thank you

 

[GMO]

Things I'd consider for a throat metal detector; does it isolate the actual product which failed, e.g. reject into another system?  Or does it produce a double bag so can't be mixed up and stop?

Sound and light to show it's detected.

For the reject mechanism or double bag, some kind of reject confirmation to say it's worked.  I suppose that would be the only "true" failsafe?

[Inverse]

GMO,

 

Thank you for great suggestions!

 

However,  we have an issue- our metal detector doesn't isolate failed or passed product and we don't have a double bag. Product is manually passed through and if the metal is detected, sound and light shows it. It makes it even harder to implement fail safe, so I feel quite lost. 

 

Do you think it would be enough if we install another sound and light, that relates to failed product/process? 

 

Thank you!

[GMO]

GMO,

 

Thank you for great suggestions!

 

However,  we have an issue- our metal detector doesn't isolate failed or passed product and we don't have a double bag. Product is manually passed through and if the metal is detected, sound and light shows it. It makes it even harder to implement fail safe, so I feel quite lost. 

 

Do you think it would be enough if we install another sound and light, that relates to failed product/process? 

 

Thank you!

 

Tricky.  First points of call would be the following for me:

 

Ask your customer what they were expecting to see

Ask your metal detector supplier what's possible to retrofit

 

I have to admit it sounds a bit scary that all that happens is a sound and a light comes on.  It could be quite easy for an operator to miss it or misidentify the affected pack.

[Inverse]

Tricky.  First points of call would be the following for me:

 

Ask your customer what they were expecting to see

Ask your metal detector supplier what's possible to retrofit

 

I have to admit it sounds a bit scary that all that happens is a sound and a light comes on.  It could be quite easy for an operator to miss it or misidentify the affected pack.

 

I know! It's really frustrating... And there's nothing much I can do- the company already had this kind of metal detector and we're not in the position of getting a new one (or upgrading current).

 

Our customers asked to consider fail safes (e.g. search hear failure, detection alarm failure).

I didn't have a chance to contact our metal detector suppliers but Production Manager said he can easily install another light and sound that identifies failures.

Do you think that would be enough? Another thing- how do you prove that we've considered them? Should I just create a log and record any failures? We're short on time (by now) and I still feel lost.. 

 

Does anyone else use throat metal detector? 

 

Thanks!

[GMO]

I know! It's really frustrating... And there's nothing much I can do- the company already had this kind of metal detector and we're not in the position of getting a new one (or upgrading current).

 

Our customers asked to consider fail safes (e.g. search hear failure, detection alarm failure).

I didn't have a chance to contact our metal detector suppliers but Production Manager said he can easily install another light and sound that identifies failures.

Do you think that would be enough? Another thing- how do you prove that we've considered them? Should I just create a log and record any failures? We're short on time (by now) and I still feel lost.. 

 

Does anyone else use throat metal detector? 

 

Thanks!

I would contact your supplier.  Take the time.

 

I used to use them years ago but standards were different then.