Taking traceability to a new level...
Sparc Systems and Fortress Technology have together developed and launched a brand new modular, high-performance combination metal detector and check-weighing conveyor system. A breakthrough development, the Raptor Combi combines months of R&D, drawing upon Sparc’s exceptional engineering prowess and Fortress’s market presence. Featuring a single swipe touchscreen HMI and paperless audit software with unlimited pre-programmed Codes of Practice, Raptor captures all the data required to guarantee absolute traceability.
Phil Brown, Managing Director of both companies, picks up the backstory of this long-term partnership, which was formalized last year, and how the development of the flexible, fast, and affordable Raptor Combi overcomes several limitations in high care food inspection environments.
What are the synergies between weighing and inspection systems?
They are complementary technologies. While they may be used for very different applications, many of the functionalities are common to both. Combining the two technologies offers food factories cost savings in a smaller footprint, due to the better utilization of common elements, such as the drives. Innovative common fixings and connection features, such as jigsaw style panels at the metal detector infeed and check-weigher outfeed, give manufacturers the option to rotate the equipment around to suit a specific production layout while maintaining the metal detection and check-weighing sequence.
How does the Raptor Combi offer premium inspection?
Specifically designed to inspect high-care food applications, the Raptor Combi features advanced hygienic and cleanability features, including a unique motor release. A design concept developed by Sparc, operatives can unclip and disconnect the conveyor motor in a matter of seconds, removing the conveyor and releasing the belt for maintenance and cleaning. By introducing Sparc’s tight-fitting, smooth surface conveyor, the Raptor eliminates belt noise which affects a check-weighers’ accuracy.
Inspecting and checking up to 150 packs per minute, the Raptor Combi can handle pack sizes up to 400mm and 8kg, calculating the Average Finished Weight Variance.
Modifying Sparc’s tried and tested precision weight check software and electronics to reduce product giveaway and meet legislative weight requirements, the Raptor check-weigher also sends a controlled feedback signal to upstream automation equipment used to portion food products. This signal specifies when to increase or decrease fill quantity.
More machine in less space
Minimizing the overall footprint of the combined units was a key consideration during the design process. Raptor's universal design gives manufacturers the option to purchase a standalone Raptor check-weigher and attach a complementary metal detector at a later date to meet different phases of their production and inspection investment. Combining the technologies and utilizing a pneumatic reject system, the Raptor Combi isolates weight and metal contamination rejects into two separate lockable BRC-approved reject bins.
How does the Raptor Combi assist with COP conformance checks?
Through our work supplying inspection equipment to multiple European food factories, we have garnered extensive knowledge of retailer COPs. All of the latest COPs are integrated into a single COP test routine, which can be instantly updated when new COPs are introduced.
Operatives simply select from a list of pre-programmed retailer COP parameters, and the product being inspected. Remembers for tests are issued, alerting QA managers when a test is overdue. By using automation to follow the test principles, it’s impossible to bypass a step in the test process. In turn, increasing the transparency and traceability of machine performance audits.
Phil Brown, Managing Director of both companies, picks up the backstory of this long-term partnership, which was formalized last year, and how the development of the flexible, fast, and affordable Raptor Combi overcomes several limitations in high care food inspection environments.
What are the synergies between weighing and inspection systems?
They are complementary technologies. While they may be used for very different applications, many of the functionalities are common to both. Combining the two technologies offers food factories cost savings in a smaller footprint, due to the better utilization of common elements, such as the drives. Innovative common fixings and connection features, such as jigsaw style panels at the metal detector infeed and check-weigher outfeed, give manufacturers the option to rotate the equipment around to suit a specific production layout while maintaining the metal detection and check-weighing sequence.
How does the Raptor Combi offer premium inspection?
Specifically designed to inspect high-care food applications, the Raptor Combi features advanced hygienic and cleanability features, including a unique motor release. A design concept developed by Sparc, operatives can unclip and disconnect the conveyor motor in a matter of seconds, removing the conveyor and releasing the belt for maintenance and cleaning. By introducing Sparc’s tight-fitting, smooth surface conveyor, the Raptor eliminates belt noise which affects a check-weighers’ accuracy.
Inspecting and checking up to 150 packs per minute, the Raptor Combi can handle pack sizes up to 400mm and 8kg, calculating the Average Finished Weight Variance.
Modifying Sparc’s tried and tested precision weight check software and electronics to reduce product giveaway and meet legislative weight requirements, the Raptor check-weigher also sends a controlled feedback signal to upstream automation equipment used to portion food products. This signal specifies when to increase or decrease fill quantity.
More machine in less space
Minimizing the overall footprint of the combined units was a key consideration during the design process. Raptor's universal design gives manufacturers the option to purchase a standalone Raptor check-weigher and attach a complementary metal detector at a later date to meet different phases of their production and inspection investment. Combining the technologies and utilizing a pneumatic reject system, the Raptor Combi isolates weight and metal contamination rejects into two separate lockable BRC-approved reject bins.
How does the Raptor Combi assist with COP conformance checks?
Through our work supplying inspection equipment to multiple European food factories, we have garnered extensive knowledge of retailer COPs. All of the latest COPs are integrated into a single COP test routine, which can be instantly updated when new COPs are introduced.
Operatives simply select from a list of pre-programmed retailer COP parameters, and the product being inspected. Remembers for tests are issued, alerting QA managers when a test is overdue. By using automation to follow the test principles, it’s impossible to bypass a step in the test process. In turn, increasing the transparency and traceability of machine performance audits.
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