Metal detection supplier says data is as important as inspection itself

Contamination checks can boost performance, productivity and protection, says Mettler Toledo, with data key to the latter and open to analysis.

Today, inspection data is becoming as important as the inspection event itself, says business development manager Stuart Preston. “Individual logins support accountability, while access logs, alarm logs, detection logs, performance monitoring records and diagnostic logs help create a stronger audit trail,” he explains.

Data logs can be transferred by Wi-Fi, while all data can be transferred directly to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems through OPC UA, Ethernet/IP or managed through dedicated data capture software such as Mettler Toledo’s own ProdX.

“This moves metal detection beyond a standalone control point,” says Preston. “It becomes part of a connected production environment, where inspection data can reveal recurring issues, support root cause analysis and help manufacturers identify where processes can improve.”

When it comes to performance, one of the other two areas where pain points tend to occur, metal detection sensitivity is essential, says Mettler Toledo. But in real production environments products can vary significantly.

“Wet, conductive, chilled, partially frozen and metallised film products can all create signals that make inspection more complex,” he points out. “When a metal detector is working close to its sensitivity limit, that variability can increase false rejects, creating waste, disruption and additional checks.”

But product effect can be addressed using Multi-Simultaneous Frequency systems and Product Signal Suppression algorithms, says the company.

Thirdly, productivity is highly dependent on how quickly operators can use and respond to the system. “Large touchscreen interfaces that can be operated without the removal of gloves, can aid with ease of use and save time and improve productivity,” says Preston. “RFID login simplifies the login process making it quicker and more compliant than traditional password-based access. Diagnostic support can also reduce unplanned downtime.”

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