Thermo Fisher Scientific claims longer lifespan of metal detector

The APEX HD has a projected operating life of 10 years or more in harsh environments, a claim validated by a third-party laboratory, said the company at the IFFA Trade Show in Frankfurt.

The HD capability will be offered on the APEX 500 and APEX 300 models and features 316 alloy stainless steel for high corrosion resistance.

It has a new case design and a proprietary aperture filling technique that gives it additional robustness and stability with the control panel also having a one-way vent allowing any trapped humidity to escape.

It also goes beyond traditional IP69K ratings (the international standard for high pressure and high temperature wash down).

Machine benefits​

Robert Berghammer, sales manager for product inspection and process instruments at Thermo Fisher Scientific told FoodProductionDaily.com the benefits include less downtime so production is increased.

“The benefits to the customer are that with a normal metal detector in these environments the lifespan of the system is only two to four years at best and with this new system we give them a lifespan of 10 years which is normal for a metal detector in these environments where it is not temperature shock resistant.​

“The temperature changes is very harsh on the equipment, the production is done in a cold environment, the products are very cold, and after the production and they start to clean it they tend to clean it with hot water up to 80 degrees,” ​he added.

“So they get a real big temperature shock and the shrinking and the expansion of the parts of the equipment causes water inclusion in the system and once the water is entered itno the metal detector itself you get to a point where the metal detector is beyond repair.” ​

Harsh environments​

Metal detectors used for meat, poultry, seafood, dairy and produce applications are typically operated in cold rooms kept between 1 to 5 degrees Celsius (35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

In the standard sanitation procedures, the units are subjected to wash down at temperatures of up to 65 degrees Celsius (150 degrees Fahrenheit) several times a day. 

The combination of thermal shock and wash down water pressure can causes cracks and leaks in the metal detector aperture liner. 

This can result in water intrusion and a disturbance of the metal detecting coils causing instability or faults, said the firm.