Case Study / Metal Detection
Metal Detection for 50 lb. Salt Bags on a 45-Degree Incline
Bunting developed an inclined conveyor metal detection system for a salt producer inspecting 50 lb. bags. A 1-inch-pitch modular belt with a square friction-top surface conveyed the bags up a 45-degree incline while the detector achieved 1.5 mm ferrous, 2.0 mm non-ferrous and 2.0 mm stainless steel sensitivity in this application.
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Application Results
All Three Sensitivity Requirements Met
Bunting achieved the specified detection sensitivities for this salt bag application.
Ferrous
1.5 mm
Non-Ferrous
2.0 mm
Stainless Steel
2.0 mm
Detection sensitivity values are in millimeters (mm). Results are specific to this application and configuration.
The Challenge
Heavy Bags. Steep Incline. Stringent Detection Requirements.
A salt producer needed to inspect each 50-pound (lb.) bag while meeting sensitivity requirements for ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel contaminants. At the same time, the inspection conveyor had to move the bags up a 45-degree incline.
The task required a system that could satisfy both the inspection requirements and the conveying demands of the application.
The Engineering Solution
Testing Shaped the Conveyor Design
The system was originally quoted with a conventional belt-style conveyor. During development and testing, Bunting determined that a different belt configuration would better support the required performance.
01 / Belt Configuration
A 1-Inch-Pitch Modular Belt
Bunting developed the system using a modular belt with a square friction-top surface.
02 / Conveying Performance
Grip for the 45-Degree Incline
The belt surface provided the grip needed to reliably convey the 50 lb. bags up the incline.
03 / Inspection Performance
Conveying and Detection Working Together
The configuration minimized product effect and allowed the metal detector to achieve all three required sensitivities.
Application Questions
Metal Detection for Bagged Salt: Questions and Answers
What Metal Detection Sensitivities Were Achieved?
For this 50 lb. salt bag application, Bunting achieved 1.5 mm ferrous, 2.0 mm non-ferrous and 2.0 mm stainless steel detection sensitivity. These results apply to the tested product and system configuration.
How Were the Bags Conveyed Up a 45-Degree Incline?
A 1-inch-pitch modular belt with a square friction-top surface provided the grip needed to convey the 50 lb. bags up the incline. The configuration also minimized product effect so the detector could meet the required sensitivities.
Why Did Bunting Change the Original Belt Design?
During development and application testing, Bunting determined that the originally quoted conventional belt-style conveyor was not the best configuration for meeting the required performance. Testing led to the modular friction-top belt design.
Explore Bunting metal detection systems for related equipment options.
The Bunting Difference
Customization Backed by Experience and Testing
Bunting met the customer's ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel detection requirements while addressing the incline-conveying challenge.
Standard products do not always solve the challenges of an existing process. Bunting brings more than 65 years of application and engineering experience to adapting equipment around your material, layout and performance requirements.
That experience is backed by our on-site, full-scale testing facility. Testing with your own material helps take the guesswork out of equipment selection and customization, giving our application engineers evidence to guide the solution.
Have an inspection or conveying challenge that a standard configuration cannot meet? Discuss your application and test with your material at Bunting.
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