Have a question? Call now - 01977 689555

24 HOUR HELPLINE 07710 840361

SNB’s Blog

Metal Detection For Metal Packaging
20th October 2021 by Jess

Within the food industry, making sure that the design of the packaging is eye-catching is key to customers purchasing products.

Manufacturers tend to use aluminium foils, trays, foiled bags and sachets to package their products. As well as helping with the product design, manufacturers choose foil packaging for a variety of reasons. Aluminium and foil packaging helps to increase shelf-life, preserve the contents and overall improve the presentation of the package.

A common question that SNB come across with food manufacturers is can their products in metal packaging be detected on a standard metal detector? This blog will explore metal packaging within the food industry and how SNB can help manufacturers using aluminium within production.

Can a Standard Metal Detector Detect Metallised Products?

In general terms, packaging that is metallised isn’t always compatible with a standard metal detector. This would impact any retailer requirements that need to be met.

Unfortunately, metallised products create large product signals which would a metal detector to operate at lower sensitivity levels; Therefore impacting the size of metal detector test sticks found. In short, this makes a metal detector an ineffective solution to reducing metal contaminants being detected.

Ferrous In Foil Metal Detectors

Depending on retailer specifications, the solution may be to use a Ferrous In Foil (FIF) metal detector. These s of metal detectors are only used when products are processed in aluminium foil such as a pie in a foil tin or a lid on a yoghurt.

On this type of metal detector, the only metal that is possible to detect is Ferrous. Other common grades of metal such as Stainless Steel and Non-Ferrous is unable to be detected.

At SNB, we can manufacture new FIF metal detectors to suit your production line. Or, we can offer refurbished FIF metal detectors available for rental (short or long term), hire-to-buy or outright purchase.

Twin Head Metal Detectors 

A Twin Head metal detector encompasses both a standard head and FIF metal detector head on one conveyor unit. Depending on the production run depends on which head is switched on.

This is a popular unit type among our customers as they can be simple to use and use up a smaller foot print compared to two single units.

SNB can manufacture new twin head metal detectors. Additionally, we have twin head metal detectors prepared for hire, hire-to-buy schemes and purchase. All these units come with calibration certificates, test pieces (with certificate of conformity) and warranty.

X-Ray Units 

Another option to consider is the use of X-Ray units on your production lines. If your product does contain foil and production is required to look for Ferrous, Non-Ferrous and Stainless Steel, this may be the best option.

An X-Ray system can look for the standard metals plus glass, bone, ceramics and certain dense plastics.

SNB can quote both rental X-Ray units and brand new bespoke X-Ray systems for your products.

Get in touch today with SNB, call us on 01977 689555 or email snb@metaldetector-rentals.co.uk