Machinery Update May June 2020

30 MACHINERY UPDATE MAY/JUNE 2020 www.machineryupdate.co.uk
Feature: Name Convenience here foods
Inspecting for
contaminants
Preventing any physical hazards from entering
the supply chain is the new normal, says Sparc
The magnetic centre piece can be removed for
cleaning, which helps protect public health
To address the special food
safety requirements posed by
the protein and dairy sectors,
Sparc Systems designed a
pipeline x-ray solution to detect
contaminants in vacuum filled and
pumped products. This hygienic
Iris inspection system is designed to
combine accuracy and reliability.
Utilising x-ray technology, the Iris
Pipeline inspection system can identify
a variety of different physical hazards
including bones, teeth, metal, glass,
ceramics, and high-density plastics in
muscle meats, slurries, semi solids, and
fluids. The high resolution of the 0.4 mm
x-ray sensor allows it to detect foreign
materials with excellent sensitivity
levels. Depending on the application, the
machine can detect metal down to 0.4 mm.
Any product shown to contain
contaminant on the user-friendly
display screen is immediately rejected
from the system before it is transferred
downstream. A fully integrated, servo
actuated rotary reject valve provides
accurate and repeatable reject
performance. “This makes it fast
and precise,” says Charlie Graham,
European sales manager at Sparc.
“Even though the Iris x-ray matches the
speed of the pump, only a small amount
of contaminated product is ever rejected.”
HYGIENE STANDARDS ARE HIGH
Maintaining the highest standard of
hygiene is high on the agenda for any food
manufacturer, particularly when handling
meat and poultry products used in
convenience foods. No more so than now
given the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Although there is currently no evidence
that the novel coronavirus can be
transmitted via food, transmission via
surfaces recently contaminated with
viruses is, nonetheless, possible through
smear infections. Consumers are naturally
concerned and seek further assurance
that good hygiene practices are being
adhered to, and manufacturers can help to
allay these fears by taking steps to mitigate
all cross contamination and physical risks.
Graham explains that ease of cleaning is
an integral aspect of the system’s design.
“Pipelines can be inherently difficult to
sanitise, but the Iris x-ray has a magnetic
centre piece which operatives can literally
pull out, clean and re-insert,” he says.
Special to the Iris is its three-way
electric valve that allows test pieces to
be inserted into the product flow to
provide a true performance reading.
And, with zero boxed sections, fewer
welded joints and drop through conveyors,
the accumulation of product residue
and water droplets on the units’ underside
are significantly reduced.
T 01684 310000
W www.sparc-systems.com
LABEL AND DATA
VERIFICATION
• 100% pack inspection
• Major supermarkets COP compliant
• Combi units including:
Checkweigher
Metal detector
X-Ray
• Fully MRP integrated secure database
sales@dimaco.co.uk 01234 851515