Industrial metal detectors are essential for keeping your production lines running smoothly and ensuring product quality and safety. Whether you're in food processing, pharmaceuticals, or any other industry that needs reliable detection of metal contaminants, making sure your metal detector is properly maintained is key to its performance.

At FASTEC Services, we specialize in industrial metal detectors, offering calibration, maintenance, and sales of top-quality detectors to help keep your business on track. Here are some helpful tips to ensure your metal detector is working at its best.

1. Regular Calibration is Crucial

Think of calibration as a tune-up for your metal detector. Over time, even the most precise metal detectors can start to drift, which could lead to missed contaminants or false alarms. Regular calibration ensures your detector is working accurately and complies with industry standards. We recommend scheduling routine calibration with a trusted service provider like FASTEC Services to avoid any surprises.

2. Test with the Right Standard Metal

It's important to test your metal detector regularly using known metal standards (test pieces). Test pieces are small, certified samples of metal contaminants (like ferrous, non-ferrous, or stainless steel) that you run through the detector to make sure it's sensitive enough. This gives you confidence that it can pick up even the smallest metal particles during production.

3. Keep the Detector Clean

A dirty metal detector can affect its sensitivity and lead to more false positives or missed contaminants. Regularly clean both the detector's internal components and the surrounding conveyor belts or pipes. If you’re working in food processing, this is especially critical to avoid product contamination. Cleanliness also prevents buildup that can interfere with detection accuracy. At FASTEC Services, we can help with routine maintenance to keep things running smoothly.

4. Pay Attention to Environmental Factors

External conditions like temperature changes, humidity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) can impact your metal detector’s performance. For example, high humidity can cause condensation inside the machine, leading to false readings. Make sure the environment where your detector is placed is stable, or invest in a metal detector designed for harsher environments. If you're unsure if your setup is optimal, we can help you assess it.

5. Know Your Product Effect

Certain products can cause what’s called "product effect," where the characteristics of the product (like its moisture content, salt levels, or temperature) interfere with metal detection. This is common in industries like food processing. The good news is that modern detectors can be adjusted to compensate for this. At FASTEC Services, we can help optimize your settings to reduce false rejections caused by product effect.

6. Upgrade When Necessary

Industrial metal detectors have come a long way in recent years. If your current detector is outdated or isn’t providing the level of accuracy your industry demands, it might be time to upgrade. Newer models offer improved sensitivity, better rejection systems, and features to handle a wider range of products. FASTEC Services not only services but also sells the latest metal detectors to meet your needs.

7. Regular Training for Operators

Your metal detector is only as good as the people using it. Make sure your operators are well-trained on how to run tests, troubleshoot problems, and understand the detector’s display and alerts. Regular training ensures that your team knows how to handle routine checks and identify any issues before they become major problems. If your team needs training, FASTEC Services can assist in providing hands-on support.

8. Record-Keeping is Key

Keep detailed records of every calibration, test, and maintenance service. This is important not only for your own peace of mind but also for meeting regulatory requirements. A good record-keeping system can also help identify any patterns or recurring issues that might indicate a larger problem. FASTEC Services offers professional documentation after every calibration and service call to make sure you’re always compliant.

9. Have a Backup Plan

No system is perfect, and sometimes things go wrong. It's a good idea to have a backup plan in place. This could mean having a secondary metal detector in case of breakdowns or simply having a quick-response maintenance provider like FASTEC Services on standby. Having a plan will minimize downtime and keep your production line running.

10. Regularly Inspect Mechanical Parts

While the electronics of your metal detector are crucial, don’t forget about the mechanical parts like conveyor belts, reject mechanisms, and seals. If these are worn or not working correctly, your metal detector can’t do its job properly. Make routine mechanical inspections a part of your maintenance schedule, and contact FASTEC Services for any needed repairs.

Conclusion: Keep Your Detector in Top Shape with FASTEC Services

Your industrial metal detector is a vital part of your production line, and proper maintenance is key to avoiding costly downtime and product recalls. At FASTEC Services, we’re here to help with all your metal detector needs—from calibration and maintenance to sales of new equipment. By following these tips, you’ll keep your metal detector in top shape and ensure that your production runs efficiently and safely.

Need help with your industrial metal detector? Contact FASTEC Services today for expert advice, calibration, maintenance, and sales!