Enhanced metal detector

Lock’s popular Insight PH system offers advanced detection performance, construction quality and reliability characteristics, making it an effective inspection solution for the high speed elimination of metal contaminants after the tablet press and de-dusting processes.
 
Utilising its 68-year history and significant industry experience, Lock has developed the Insight PH to further improve stability and manoeuvrability, which allows easy integration with the tablet presses, de-dusters, polishers and encapsulation equipment commonly used by pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers.
 
The Lock Insight PH Metal Detector boasts a newly upgraded ‘H’ frame for improved stability designed to counteract the surrounding noise pollution that often causes false contaminant rejection and increased product wastage.
 
In addition, the frame now features durable locking caster wheels making it faster and simpler for operators to move and secure the metal detector between production lines. It is adjustable for height and angle of tilt using a gas strut and new clamping sleeve, allowing the unit to be quickly relocated and operational within minutes.
 
Plus the metal detector’s compact design allows it to be located on virtually any production or packaging line without disrupting the plant layout.
 
James Chrismas, International Pharmaceutical Business Manager at Lock Inspection comments: “Lock has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and consistently helped major companies successfully anticipate and satisfy the quality assurance demands of regulatory authorities, retailers and manufacturers alike.
 
He continues: “With brand protection firmly positioned at the top of the corporate agenda, product integrity is more important than ever. This places even greater demands on inspection equipment to deliver high speed contamination control, whilst eliminating costly downtime. We are confident that the upgraded Insight PH Metal Detector will further improve operating efficiencies and quality standards, and ensure effective contamination detection across the complete tablet production process.”
 
The system also offers ‘fully digital processing’ functionality for conversion of analogue signals to digital processing in the detection head. This eliminates interference from the various frequencies emitted by tablet presses and digital radios, for example. A voltage measurement read-out allows the customer to properly monitor calibration.
 
Lock’s Insight PH is said to offer best in class calibrated detection levels of 0.25mmFE, 0.3mmNFE and O.4mmSt/St. Four password protected security levels are provided for operators, supervisors, engineering and administration. The system is available with fully documented Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ) validations for compliance with FDA, GAMP and GMP specifications.  It is design and construction compliant with 21CFR parts 10 and 11 and certified to NEMA 4X / IP66.
 
The two-piece product chute is produced from white ABS plastic with a clear PETG upper piece for easy viewing of product during the inspection process and minimise any static interference. An integrated aperture location stop facilitates operator safety and protects the metal detector.
 
Produced from polished stainless steel, the super hygienic Insight PH offers fast wash-down and cleaning. The user-friendly interface is simple and intuitive, with a wide choice of language options, and a graphite and pumice-free PCB screen enhances longevity.
 
The Insight PH benefits from full connectivity, with an external USB port, wired Ethernet and SCADA link options. It incorporates Optix software, a powerful communication and diagnostic tool for perfect product inspection set up, real-time reporting and data download for storage and secure distribution.
 
Each Insight PH model includes Lock’s innovative Direct Digital Signal (DDS) which displays a clear graphic representation of what is happening during the metal detection set up process. As well as reducing set up time and programming errors, the all-important DDS function also helps verify the rejection of contaminated product and test samples.
 
For quick installation, there are 200 product pre-sets and permanent memory stores up to 8,000 data events, even during a power interruption or disconnect. At a throughput of 30,000 tablets or capsules per minute, the robust nature of the software is a critical control point for guaranteeing detection and rejection of metal fragments.
 
Available with 12 different reject options, Lock’s flexible Insight PH is ideally suited to a wide range of site and process requirements. They reject minimal product when contamination is detected and can be removed for cleaning without the use of tools. To accommodate high potency preparations, wash-in-place and dust-tight metal detectors are fitted with dust-tight and water-tight product chutes and reject systems.