Metal detector test rods vs. test balls
Hello,
We have online metal detectors located under scale platform and above the bagger. We are currently using metal detector test balls to monitor MD (one person throw the balls from the platform and the MO verifies the equipment on the floor) , but since we are automating our process, I would like to explore metal detector Test Rods to test our equipment using only one person from the floor level.
Does anyone have experience with MD test rods?
Do you see any issue by using them?
Do they meet BRC requirements (BRC does not have any restriction, other than test a mechanism under normal working conditions)?
Your help is highly appreciated! :spoton:
thanks
JP
So this is an inline MD that rejects the test balls and a small amount of your product thru a chute and into a reject container? The only way I see the rods working is if it was after the product was packaged and the entire package is kicked offline or the belt itself stops. Do you have both setups?
Hello,
We have online metal detectors located under scale platform and above the bagger. We are currently using metal detector test balls to monitor MD (one person throw the balls from the platform and the MO verifies the equipment on the floor) , but since we are automating our process, I would like to explore metal detector Test Rods to test our equipment using only one person from the floor level.
Does anyone have experience with MD test rods?
Do you see any issue by using them?
Do they meet BRC requirements (BRC does not have any restriction, other than test a mechanism under normal working conditions)?
Your help is highly appreciated! :spoton:
thanks
JP
Hi JP,
Never encountered anything like this. Sounds like necessitating some physical strength/uniformity. How big are the balls ?
JP,
Testing of these systems isn't perfect. Dropping test samples from above usually doesn't guarantee a worst case scenario (i.e. through center of aperture) and running test rods up from ground level is likely a test between the funneling plastics and the coils that would give a greater false sense of security when testing. Of the two, dropping from above is the better way to perform this test. It will be a bit better of a detection test, but should also teste the rejection. You may also want to explore newer auto testing technology that improves the quality of testing especially for these types of applications. https://www.youtube....h?v=AvQxw5cuONk
Eric
Hello,
We have online metal detectors located under scale platform and above the bagger. We are currently using metal detector test balls to monitor MD (one person throw the balls from the platform and the MO verifies the equipment on the floor) , but since we are automating our process, I would like to explore metal detector Test Rods to test our equipment using only one person from the floor level.
Does anyone have experience with MD test rods?
Do you see any issue by using them?
Do they meet BRC requirements (BRC does not have any restriction, other than test a mechanism under normal working conditions)?
Your help is highly appreciated! :spoton:
thanks
JP
We've used a variety of different verification seeds with form-fill packaging arranged similarly. One difference of note is that most of the detectors were set up to place the control panel / detector readout up at the mezzanine level with the scale. The routine test uses a tethered credit-card style seed with the length of the tether fixed to pass the seed through the detector but not long enough to let it get caught up in the package filling mechanism below. When the tethered seed is dropped into the chute below the scale the auditor on the mezzanine is looking at the screen for the reject signal (and listening for the equipment to stop). A machine operator down at ground level communicates with the auditor above to restart the equipment so all three seed types can be checked in quick succession.
The card style seeds don't seem to be as durable as most of the stick/ball/puck/brick shaped test devices, but they're easy to tether.
Metal detection should be performed in the way the product goes through the metal detector. If I'm understanding your question correctly, you shouldn't be sticking a metal rod up from the bottom in the opposite way the product is flowing to test as this isn't best practice.
Hi, JP.
The test should be aligned with how the product pass through the process. If the product fall by gravity to the chute (then the MD), then the test piece (either ball or wand) should also be tested the same way (just as much possible drop the test piece at the center of MD aperture). Having some test from the ground may cause interference that can be detected by the MD and may cause false reject (or wrong metal detector settings).
To put more context to your question, how is your metal detector rejecting the product in case there is an alarm? Having metal detector checks not aligned with the product flow may affect your metal detector reject settings.