Inline Metal Detection in Seafood Industry

• Customization: Available
• After-sales Service: Installation Services
• Warranty: 12months
• Model NO.: VCF-3010
• Certification: CE
• Condition: New
• Customized: Customized
• Alarm Form: Sound and Light Alarm
• Transport Package: Wooden Case
• Specification: 800*600*1300mm
• Trademark: Viking
• Origin: China
• HS Code: 8543709100
• Production Capacity: 5000

Product Description

Product Description

 

Tunnel Aperture Metal Detector Head for Universal Industries

Introduction

Metal contamination is a critical concern across a broad range of industries-from food processing and pharmaceuticals to textiles, plastics, mining, and wood production. To mitigate contamination risks, protect brand integrity, and ensure regulatory compliance, manufacturers rely on robust, adaptable detection solutions. Among the most versatile of these is the Tunnel Aperture Metal Detector Head.

Designed to deliver high-sensitivity detection of ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless-steel contaminants, the Tunnel Aperture Metal Detector Head is engineered for universal industry applications. It offers flexible installation, seamless integration with conveyors or drop-through systems, and reliable operation even in challenging environments.

This product introduction covers its functionality, technical capabilities, configurations, industry applications, and return on investment, making it a go-to solution for contamination control in diversified industrial processes.

 

1. What is a Tunnel Aperture Metal Detector Head?

A Tunnel Aperture Metal Detector Head is the core component of a metal detection system. It consists of a rectangular or round aperture that creates an electromagnetic field. When a product passes through this aperture, any metal contamination causes a disturbance in the field, which is then detected by the system.

Unlike full conveyor units, the tunnel head is often sold standalone for custom integration into existing conveyor systems, chutes, or gravity-fed lines. This flexibility makes it ideal for universal industries where space, layout, or product flow may vary.

 

2. Key Features

2.1 Wide Detection Range

• Detects ferrous (Fe), non-ferrous (Cu, Al), and stainless steel (SUS) particles

• Available in both single-frequency and dual-frequency models

• Handles a wide range of product effects, from dry powders to moist or conductive materials

2.2 Customizable Aperture Sizes

• Aperture widths from 100mm to 1500mm

• Heights from 50mm to 800mm

• Round apertures available for pipeline applications

• Designed to fit conveyors, chutes, drop-throughs, or vertical pack lines

2.3 High Sensitivity

• Capable of detecting:

  • Fe ≥ 0.3 mm

  • SUS ≥ 0.5 mm

  • Non-ferrous ≥ 0.4 mm

• Sensitivity adjusts based on aperture size and product characteristics

2.4 Advanced Signal Processing

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and phase tracking eliminate product effect

• Compensates for temperature, moisture, and packaging material variations

• Features auto-learn functions for rapid product setup

2.5 User-Friendly Interface

• Color touch screen with multilingual options

• Real-time signal strength display

• Up to 100+ product presets

• Password-protected multi-level access

2.6 Connectivity & Integration

• RS232/485, Ethernet, USB ports

• Can be connected to:

  • Reject mechanisms

  • PLC systems

  • SCADA/ERP

  • Alarm and printer systems

 

3. Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification
Aperture Sizes	Width: 100-1500 mm; Height: 50-800 mm
Detection Types	Fe, Non-Fe, SUS
Sensitivity Range	Fe ≥ 0.3mm; SUS ≥ 0.5mm (depends on product)
Frequency Range	50 kHz-900 kHz
Operation Modes	Dry / Wet / Auto-learn
Display Interface	7" or 10" Color Touchscreen
Memory Capacity	Up to 200 product profiles
Alarm Output	Visual, audible, and digital (relay)
Protection Grade	IP65 / IP66 / IP69K (for food models)
Power Supply	AC 110-240V, 50/60Hz
Compliance Standards	CE, ISO9001, HACCP, BRC, FDA, IFS

 

4. Applications by Industry

The Tunnel Aperture Metal Detector Head is suited for diverse industries due to its modularity and sensitivity:

4.1 Food Industry

• Detects metal in packaged and unpackaged goods

• Common uses:

  • Bulk grains, nuts, and powders

  • Dairy blocks, frozen meals, bakery products

  • Meat, poultry, seafood

4.2 Pharmaceuticals

• Detects small metal shards in tablets, capsules, or powdered supplements

• Often integrated before bottling or packing lines

4.3 Plastics & Rubber

• Used to detect tramp metal in plastic pellets, flakes, or raw materials

• Prevents damage to molding equipment and ensures final product quality

4.4 Textiles & Garments

• Inspects finished clothing for broken needles or tags

• Prevents defective deliveries to brands or retailers

4.5 Mining & Aggregates

• Installed on conveyors to prevent crusher damage from embedded metal

• Withstands high-dust, high-load environments

4.6 Wood and Pulp

• Detects nails, staples, and embedded hardware in lumber

• Helps protect saw blades and improve pulp quality

4.7 Recycling

• Separates ferrous and non-ferrous metals from mixed material streams

• Pre-treatment step for downstream processing or shredding

 

5. Integration Options

The metal detector head can be installed:

• Over conveyor belts

• Inside vertical drop chutes

• On horizontal packaging lines

• Before filling/sealing machines

• Inline with metal reject systems

Available Accessories:

• Stainless steel mounting frames

• Air-jet or pusher rejectors

• Lockable reject bins

• Belt stop systems

• Alarm signal beacons

 

6. Compliance and Safety Standards

The tunnel aperture metal detector complies with:

• HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)

• BRC (British Retail Consortium)

• IFS (International Featured Standards)

• FDA & USDA (for food-grade models)

• CE certification for electrical safety and EMC

• Optional OIML legal metrology compliance

 

7. Key Benefits

1. Universal Application

• Works with multiple product types and production environments

• Ideal for OEM system builders or factories with variable output

2. Customization Flexibility

• Aperture size and sensitivity tailored to your application

• Compatible with custom conveyors or OEM designs

3. High Accuracy

• Detects small, hard-to-find stainless steel particles

• Minimizes false rejects with product effect compensation

4. Reduced Downtime

• Auto-learn and auto-calibration simplify product changeovers

• Digital diagnostics alert for early fault detection

5. Long-Term ROI

• Protects downstream machinery

• Prevents product recalls and reputation damage

• Meets buyer and retailer food safety standards

 

8. Case Studies

Bakery Processing Line - Germany

• Needed metal detection for 10+ SKU formats on a high-speed line

• Chose a tunnel head integrated with existing belt and pusher system

• Result: Detected 0.4mm steel flakes from worn mixers; passed IFS audit

Plastic Pellet Manufacturer - USA

• Metal bits from raw bulk shipments were damaging extruder screws

• Tunnel head installed before hopper intake

• Reduced downtime by 35%, saving $25,000/year in equipment repairs

Garment Exporter - Bangladesh

• Installed tunnel detector for post-sewing inspection

• Detected broken needles in 1 out of every 5,000 units

• Helped secure compliance with European brand partners

 

9. Maintenance and Support

• Self-checking function with every startup

• Auto-calibration for each new product profile

• Minimal consumables or moving parts

• Available service contracts for:

  • Annual calibration

  • Software updates

  • Emergency technical support

• Remote diagnostic support via Ethernet

 

10. Return on Investment

Estimated ROI: 6-12 months

Why?

• Prevents expensive recalls

• Avoids machine damage

• Meets regulatory inspections

• Improves production confidence

A single recall or equipment failure could cost tens of thousands in downtime and liability-this system pays for itself quickly.

 

Conclusion

The Tunnel Aperture Metal Detector Head is the ideal contamination control solution for companies across universal industries. Its compact, modular design, advanced signal processing, and broad compatibility make it an indispensable tool for inline quality control.

Whether you're operating in food, pharma, recycling, textiles, or mining, this metal detector head delivers consistent performance, protects your products, and helps your operation stay compliant with global safety standards.

 

Request a Quote or Technical Drawing

Looking to install a tunnel detector head into your line?

Contact us for custom aperture sizing
Receive a 2D/3D CAD drawing
Schedule an on-site or virtual demo
Ask about global shipping and OEM integration

 

 

1. Introduction

A conveyor metal detector is a crucial device across diverse industries, safeguarding product quality and consumer safety. It's engineered to spot metallic contaminants within items transported on conveyor belts, preventing potential harm from metal fragments and shielding machinery.
 

2. Working Principle

This detector functions on electromagnetic induction. A transmitter coil generates a magnetic field above the conveyor. When a metal object passes through, it disturbs the field. The receiver coil detects this disruption and relays an electrical signal to the control unit. Advanced models use algorithms to filter false positives from vibrations or electrical interference, ensuring precision.
 

3. Types of Conveyor Metal Detectors

3.1. Balanced Coil Metal Detectors

The most prevalent type, featuring precisely balanced coils. Their electrical equilibrium is disrupted when metal enters the zone, triggering an alarm. Renowned for high sensitivity and stability, they're ideal for food and pharmaceutical sectors where minute contaminants matter.
 

3.2. Pulse Induction Metal Detectors

These emit short, powerful magnetic pulses. Metal objects induce eddy currents, generating a secondary magnetic field that's detected. Great for spotting larger, deeply buried metals, they're common in mining and recycling to handle bulk materials with potential big metal pieces.
 

3.3. Multi-frequency Metal Detectors

Operating at multiple frequencies, they adapt to different product traits. In food production, where products vary in moisture and density, they optimize detection by adjusting frequencies, cutting false alarms.
 

4. Key Components

4.1. Conveyor Belt

Made of non-metallic materials like polyurethane, it must be properly sized and speed-set for the application. A food packaging line might need a wide, fast belt for high volume while ensuring inspection quality.

4.2. Detection Head

Housing transmitter and receiver coils, it creates a uniform magnetic field. Its dimensions vary with product size; sometimes multiple heads are used for comprehensive detection.

4.3. Control Panel

The operator's interface, showing detection results and settings. Modern ones are touchscreen, with data logging for quality control and traceability.

4.4. Reject Mechanism

When metal's detected, mechanisms like pneumatic pushers or flap diverters remove the item. The choice depends on product attributes and conveyor layout.
 

5. Applications

5.1. Food Industry

Essential from ingredient to packaging stages, it stops metal from processing equipment getting into food. In canned goods or bakery items, it ensures safety and quality.

5.2. Pharmaceutical Industry

Must-have for drug manufacturing to screen tablets, capsules, etc. Tiny metal specks in injectables can endanger patients, so detectors maintain sterility.

5.3. Packaging Industry

Prevents metal objects from being packaged with consumer goods. In electronics assembly, it avoids mispacked screws, reducing returns.

5.4. Recycling Industry

Separates metals from waste on conveyor belts, enhancing recycling efficiency and aiding environmental conservation.
 

6. Factors Affecting Detection Performance

6.1. Product Characteristics

Moisture, salt content, size, and shape of products can interfere with detection. High-moisture fruits or salty pickles might cause false alarms or misses.

6.2. Conveyor Belt Speed

Faster belts reduce product exposure time, risking missed detections. But slowing down too much hampers production flow; a balance is key.

6.3. Environmental Interference

Nearby machinery or power lines can disrupt the detector. Shielding and vibration-damping measures combat electromagnetic interference and vibrations.

6.4. Metal Type and Size

Ferrous metals are easier to detect than non-ferrous or some stainless steel grades. Smaller objects are harder to spot and demand higher sensitivity.
 

7. Installation and Calibration

7.1. Installation

Place the detector stably, level the platform, and install the conveyor belt smoothly. Position the detection head correctly and allow clearance for maintenance.

7.2. Calibration

Regularly calibrate using known metal samples to set sensitivity levels. Some advanced models have automatic calibration for operator ease.
 

8. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

8.1. Maintenance

Clean the belt, inspect the detection head and electrical connections, and lubricate moving parts to prolong the detector's life.

8.2. Troubleshooting

For false alarms, check interference and adjust settings. If detection fails, examine calibration, the detection head, or belt speed.

Product Parameters

 

Details Tunnel size	40*12cm	40*15cm	40*20cm	50*15cm	50*20cm	50*25cm	50*30cm
Sensitivity Fe(mm)	0.8	1.0	1.2	1.0	1.2	1.5	2.0
Sensitivity SUS(mm)	1.5	2.0	2.5	2.0	2.5	3.0	3.5
Detection height	120	150	200	150	200	250	300
Detection width	400			500
Belt speed	10-35 meters per minute adjustable
Alarm method	Light and sound and optional reject