Compact combination inspects Stilton line

Long Clawson Dairy was established in 1911. The company source local milk from 43 farms in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to create its cheeses, which are cut into small wedges weighing 60 to 650g for supermarkets up to bulk cheese weighing from 1 to 8kg for deli and wholesale customers.

A user of Loma IQ3 metal detectors for some 15 years, including two bulk machines, and a standard combination checkweigher and metal detection system, Long Clawson Dairy did not hesitate in approaching the company again when it needed a replacement inspection system as part of the packing process on a Stilton production line.

 With space at a premium, Loma recommended a CW3 Compact Combo, which offers some 30% reduced footprint in comparison to standard combination units. It also ensures quality assurance and meets all retailer standards.

David Branston, packing manager, Long Clawson Dairy says: “While we consider our cheese production process quite low risk in terms of potential contamination, we use cutters with expensive blades to slice the Stilton into small portions. This makes it vital to have an adequate inspection system in place, not only for our own quality control purposes, but to meet retailers’ increasingly stringent codes of practice.”

The OIML R51 and EC TA (MID) accredited CW3 Compact Combo has been built to Loma’s ‘Designed to Survive’ specifications, utilising heavy duty components. The modular design saves valuable line space and ensures continuous operation. The system can adapt to a wide variety of different products because of its true variable frequency metal detection and versatile checkweighing capabilities.

Branston continues: “When we needed to replace an old metal detector in an area where space was at a premium, Loma recommended the CW3 Compact Combo as the ideal solution for meeting size, compliance and efficiency requirements. Like our other Loma equipment, it was easily installed as part of the packing process where it meets all end-of-line HACCP standards in line with our due diligence procedures.”

Handling pre-packed Stilton ranging from 60g up to 1kg, the Loma CW3 Compact Combo is operating at speeds up to 20 packs/min.

Offering low lifetime cost of ownership and significant cost-savings, the system features the performance and accuracy of a CW3 checkweigher with the high detection performance of an IQ3 metal detector. The checkweigher measures products weights quickly and precisely; with a specially developed diverter rejecting out of tolerance products, while the metal detector consistently detects and rejects contaminated products.

“We continue to choose Loma for its service and support, as well as its market-leading inspection technology,” David adds. “For us, service delivery often takes precedence when purchasing production machinery. Minimising downtime is essential and Loma will endeavour to send a service engineer to site on the day an issue is reported, but their specialist personnel often provides a resolution remotely, by telephone."