SNB’s Blog

Having an Industrial metal detector on site allows manufacturers to identify and reject contaminated products prior to them leaving through the factory door. It is crucial for manufacturers to regularly perform tests on their metal detectors to make sure no contaminated products make it to retailers’ shelves. This blog will detail why testing your metal detector is essential and how to successfully carry out tests. It will also include how SNB Electronics can help with performing tests on your industrial metal detector.

 

Why Should I Test My Industrial Metal Detector Regularly?

For manufacturers to run production lines without issues, it is necessary for their inspection equipment to be regularly tested. Testing is critical to ensuring that the metal detector is functioning at the correct sensitivity. Test pieces should be passed through the centre of the metal detector aperture to confirm that the samples can be detected and rejected properly.

 

How Should I Test My Metal Detector?

As stated previously, metal detector pieces needed to be passed through the centre of the metal detector head to test the equipment is in working order.

Any test pieces used to test the rejection of a metal detector should be sensitivities that have been agreed upon by the manufacturer’s customer and that are the optimum size for the metal detector. For example 2.0mm Ferrous, 2.5mm Non-Ferrous and 3.0mm Stainless Steel.

Test pieces should be placed on or in a product, whichever way that will allows the test piece reach the centre of the aperture. This is key to testing as the centre of a Metal Detectors aperture is the weakest point for it to detect metal.

 

How Often Should I Test My Industrial Metal Detector?

SNB Electronics recommends that any manufacturer using an industrial metal detector should create and implement a planned programme to test their inspection equipment. For example, team leader on line B needs to test their metal detector hourly with test pieces 1.5mm, 1.5mm and 2.0mm. Manufacturers should create a testing programme in accordance with any retailer codes of practices they may be already following.

If you have any onsite engineers that have carried out any maintenance, repairs or adjustments to the metal detector, make sure to run a test prior to opening the line back up to product.

 

How Should I Record My Metal Detectors Tests?

It is highly important to keep any documentation you have for your metal detector and record all tests that are actioned. We recommend that the following is recorded:

• – Any sensitivity tests
• – Moving and commissioning of any equipment within the factory
• – The number of products or packs rejected on each shift
• – Any details regarding contaminated products
• – Action taken for tracking any contaminated sources
• – Planning the prevention of any contaminated sources entering production line
• – Any service work or maintenance programmes running

 

Should Staff Be Trained To Use A Metal Detector?

In short, the answer is yes. To maximise both safety and efficiency on your site, any member of staff that uses a metal detector should undergo training.

Members of staff using a metal detector must understand the piece of equipment, the principles and the correct testing routine.

SNB Electronic Services can offer SME (Subject Matter Expert) courses from Tier A through to the highest Tier D. These courses are classroom based with delivery given in one day for up to six members of staff and a certificate issued upon completion of the course.