FAQ

Colour Sorters

CSort

What is the maximum capacity / hour that can be processed by the colour sorters?

The capacity that can be processed is dependent on numerous factors, e.g. the type of product and the degree of contamination of the product.

For what products can CSort optical sorters be used?

The CSort Colour Sorters are mostly used in the food industry where visual product control is demanded – e.g., the sorting of cereals, grains, legumes, nuts, grass seeds, oilseeds and even dried fruits and berries. The sorters can also be used in the plastics and recycling industries.

What is the guarantee on the CSort optical sorters?

Both the sorters have a two-year warranty.

Where can one find spare parts available?

All spare parts are locally available.

Will I receive the necessary service and support after an installation?

Our technical experts will travel to your location to provide the service and support you need.

Magnetic Separators

Ferrite Magnets

What is a Ferrite magnet?

Ceramic Ferrite magnets are one of the most widely used permanent magnet materials in the world. Ferrite magnets are a low-cost magnet material perfectly suited for higher volume production runs.

Ceramic magnets are used for their magnetic capability, not for their mechanical properties. It is recommended that they not be used for structural purposes since they are low in tensile and flexural strength.

What effect will extreme temperature exposure have on Ferrite magnets?

Ferrite magnets are susceptible to demagnetization when exposed to temperature extremes. There are grades which have better resistance to high and low temperatures, but several factors will dictate the performance of a ferrite magnet. The maximum recommended operating temperature is +250 to +300 degrees C

Are Ferrite magnets corrosion resistant?

Corrosion resistance is excellent. Ferrite magnets are essentially made from oxides of iron and Strontium and Barium.

What is the magnetic strength (Magnetic field) of Ferrite magnets?

Standard readings of magnetic field for a Ferrite magnet: 800 to 2000 Gauss [G] (1 Tesla = 10,000 Gauss).

Neodymium Magnets

What is a Rare Earth magnet?

Collectively known as Rare Earth magnets, Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) and Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets are alloys of the Lanthanide group of elements.

NdFeB magnets are available in several different grades that span a wide range of properties and application requirements.  NdFeB magnets are available in sintered as well as bonded forms

What effect will extreme temperature exposure have on Rare Earth magnets?

Magnetic properties of NdFeB deteriorate rapidly above about 130 degrees Celsius, depending on the grade of material, and the permeance coefficient of the magnet in operation. The higher the permeance coefficient the magnet operates at, the higher the temperature it will withstand. Normally the maximum temperature at which NdFeB magnets can operate is 230 degrees Celsius.

Are Rare Earth magnets corrosion resistant?

All NdFeB have a poor resistance to corrosion. NdFeB should have some form of protective coating to prevent corrosion, it is not advised to work with uncoated NdFeB magnets. Usually these magnets have a nickel copper coat.

What is the magnetic strength (Magnetic field) of Rare Earth magnets?

Standard readings of magnetic field for a NdFeB magnet start at 2000 Gauss [G] and can reach a maximum of 14000 Gauss, depending on the type of NdFeB magnet. (1 Tesla = 10,000 Gauss).

What metals are attracted to Neodymium magnets?

Any ferromagnetic material can be attracted to Neodymium magnets. The most common ferromagnetic materials are iron, cobalt, nickel, steel manganese, gadolinium and lodestone.

Is stainless steel attracted to magnets?

Stainless steels comprise of a large group of steel alloys that are made of different metal compositions. While some have more chromium, some might have more iron in them. That is why you will find that while some types of stainless steels are magnetic, other stainless-steel types will not make magnets stick to them.

Metal Detectors

What is the ideal size for a metal detector aperture?

The detection aperture is dependent on the packaging dimensions.

What is contamination?

Contamination can either be a physical or bacterial contaminant which can occur at any stage of the production process, examples are:

  • Stones
  • Bones
  • Glass
  • Insects
  • Wood
  • Plastics

How does the contamination happen?

Contamination occurs from raw material and during the production process. Critical Control Points (CCP’s) are put in place to prevent potential issues from leaving the factory in turn protecting the customer. Hygiene also provides a critical role in eliminating bacterial contamination.

What environmental factors can interfere with the operation of the metal detector?

When a metal detector is in operation in a factory, there are possible noise sources which can confuse the detector electronic and software.  Ensure that the following sources are addressed to prevent metal detection interference:

  • Production equipment vibrating and causing antenna in the metal detector to move ever so slightly.
  • Large motors turning on and off
  • Electrical power surging and dropping
  • Electronics boxes broadcasting wide spectrums of radiated noise.

What is the metal detector capable of detecting?

The most common limiting factor is the product effect.  The product may be conductive itself and act like a metal. It is essential that the sensitivity first be overcome prior sensitivity determination.

The metal detectors sensitivity is regulated by a number of factors as aperture size, operating frequency, product speed and environmental conditions.

What should I do if metal is missed?

The sensitivity should adjust per manufactures recommendations and when required increase metal size until its detected.

What are the special considerations for stainless steel?

An electromagnetic field reacts easily to ferrous metal at lower frequency due to its magnetic properties.

Stainless steel contains small amounts of iron than ferrous metals therefore they require higher frequency levels to be detected.

What is HACCP?

HACCP is a systemic approach to the identification, evaluation, and control of food safety hazards based on the following seven principles:

 

Principal 1: Conduct a hazard analysis

Principal 2: Determine the critical control points (CCP)

Principal 3; Establish critical limits

Principal 4: Establish monitoring procedures

Principal 5: Establish corrective actions

Principal 6: Establish verification procedures

Principal 7: Establish record – keeping and documentation procedures

Will I need to employ specifically trained operators?

No, training is provided upon commissioning and additional onsite training can be arranged if required.

How often should we test the metal detector with the test sample?

The testing frequency is typically dictated by your audit requirements, industry standards and food safety plan. We would recommend testing at the beginning of a product run or at the change of shift.

We run our product in foil packaging/ metalized film. Can we still use a metal detector?

We supply metal detectors capable of running products packaged in metalized film while maintaining high levels of sensitivity.

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