Should a packaging machine be connected to a metal detector?
• Mandatory: For EU food/pharma lines, a metal detector must interlock with the packaging machine to meet CE and HACCP.
• Process fit: Install the detector before or after heat-seal on VFFS/HFFS; reject valve signal must sync with PLC cycle time to avoid missed detection.
• Interlock logic: On detection, packaging machine pauses feeding or triggers a reject cylinder; reject rate ≥99.5%, false reject rate ≤0.1%.
• Mounting position: Bulk products—after dosing and before heat-seal; finished pouches—after sealing and before discharge conveyor.
• FAT criteria: Test with Fe 1.5mm and SUS 2.0mm samples; communication latency between packaging machine and detector must be under 50ms.
• Process fit: Install the detector before or after heat-seal on VFFS/HFFS; reject valve signal must sync with PLC cycle time to avoid missed detection.
• Interlock logic: On detection, packaging machine pauses feeding or triggers a reject cylinder; reject rate ≥99.5%, false reject rate ≤0.1%.
• Mounting position: Bulk products—after dosing and before heat-seal; finished pouches—after sealing and before discharge conveyor.
• FAT criteria: Test with Fe 1.5mm and SUS 2.0mm samples; communication latency between packaging machine and detector must be under 50ms.