New Interceptor makes waves in wet food inspection

Specifically designed to tackle the longstanding challenge of high product rejects when using metal detectors to inspect meat, dairy, ready meals, bakery and fortified cereals applications, Fortress's technology splits the frequency signals. This means that the machine can clearly differentiate between the signal generated by the product as a result of moisture or mineral content and any metal contaminant, putting a stop to a potential stainless steel signal being "swamped' by product effect.

Although stainless steel contamination in products is a rare occurrence, the metal is prevalent in industrial food preparation equipment. Fortress's Sales Director Phil Brown comments: "Whether you are mixing batches of bread or snack ingredients or slicing and dicing wet meat, bakery and cheese products into smaller portions using wires and knives, there's a risk of tiny fragments entering the production chain."

In contrast to recent metal detectors, the sensitivity of the Interceptor means it can pick up metal contaminants half the dimensional size previously identifiable. Phil stresses: "Detection depends on the size, shape and orientation of metal particles. Although a test sample sphere isn't a real-world contaminant, a 0.5mm change in sphere size can equate to 25mm in wire length."

The Interceptor builds upon the cutting-edge Simultaneous Multi-Frequency Technology introduced by Fortress some 6 years ago. The new technology works by carrying out a real-time analysis of a low-frequency and a high-frequency signal in parallel.

Phil explains: "Using an advanced algorithm the Interceptor is able to split the product and metal detection signals and then link the readings back together. Compared to the traditional approach where we would tune into specific frequencies, this new method means we can identify the product effect (most noticeable at lower frequencies) and eliminate it from the higher-frequency signal, where the potential effect of the metal is more prominent."

In some cases, alternative approaches may work on up to 10 different frequencies, where the system homes in on the most relevant range. However, metal detectors that select individual frequency ranges are not able to eliminate the product effect as readily and reliably as Interceptor, claim the Fortress team.

Single-pass learning

Single-pass learning is another valuable feature. Already available on the Phantom and Stealth models, the detector range instantly teaches itself and can recall the signature of a given product with a single pass, making the manufacturing process much simpler for production staff and reducing the time spent introducing and checking operational protocols.

Phil highlights: "The combination of 100 per cent increased metal detection sensitivity, reduced false product rejects, single-pass product learning, and straightforward upgrades go a long way to boosting overall equipment effectiveness and quality assurance for food processors and manufacturers, as well as safeguarding consumers."

Sticking to the Fortress watchwords of simplicity and reliability, the Interceptor mobilises well-tried technologies in new and efficient ways. By adopting the type of microprocessing power present in today's smartphones, the company can continue to offer customers its "Never Obsolete' guarantee, ensuring future equipment compatibility and giving more expansion options. Phil adds: "A few years ago this type of technology would have been far more difficult and costly to integrate into metal detectors."

For additional accuracy, Fortress's FM Software is built into the Interceptor. This brings a predictive element to the analysis of signals. In its own right, FM Software increases detection sensitivity by up to 40 per cent.

In true Fortress style there are no hidden extra options, meaning no financial surprises for customers. Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections are available, as is Halo automatic testing.

From a machine sustainability perspective, customers with a functional Fortress metal detector can easily upgrade to the latest processing unit and software and integrate the new coil structure which the Interceptor's accuracy is dependent upon.

Being IP69K rated, the new range is resistant to water ingress and dust, ensuring long-term reliability and performance in dusty and heavy washdown environments. Made to order in the UK, Interceptor units can be deployed in different locations on the production and packing line, including apertures customised to a given conveyor, pipeline configurations for pumped product and gravity systems for powders.

Like other metal detectors, the Interceptor also reliably detects the range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including aluminium, which continues to pose the highest metal contaminant risks in the food industry. Phil claims: "With the Interceptor, we can challenge traditional expectations when it comes to detection inside metallised film. This new Fortress Interceptor range comes close to the performance of X-ray, at a much lower capital investment. What's more the Interceptor can accurately inspect products with variations in density, from bulk cuts to minced meat, or grated, sliced and block cheeses."

Key features of the new Interceptor:

• Highly accurate with stainless steel in "wet' products
• Simultaneous 2-frequency operation to significantly reduce product effect
• 100 per cent increase in detection sensitivity
• Never Obsolete commitment extends to the processing unit and software on existing Fortress systems

To learn more about the Interceptor food inspection system, please visit www.fortresstechnology.co.uk.