Lock claims detectors offer 30% higher sensitivity

The company's stand features a fully-operational line of MET 30+ hf and MET 30+ 3f metal detectors as well as Lock's proprietary ADC software and touchscreen interface. In addition, Lock is highlighting the ATEX-approved Compact Vertical Fall detector.

The MET 30+ hf employs a single high frequency, crystal controlled oscillator and is designed primarily for snack food and bakery industries. The machine inspects dry foods such as biscuits or crisps at 875Khz - four times more than standard food industry detectors.

Visitors at Interpack, which finishes this Wednesday, can also view Lock's MET 30+ 3f in operation. The company claims that this is the world's first fully automatic triple frequency detector, capable of highly accurate inspection of both poly-film and metallised packaged products.

The 3f operates at three crystal-controlled frequencies - high, medium and low - and features an in-built automatic frequency selection facility, which chooses the optimum frequency, whatever the product or packaging. When inspecting poly-wrapped products, the detector will automatically select high frequency, whereas for a product packaged in metallised film it will operate at low frequency.

The MET 30+ 3f's in-built automatic product set-up facility eliminates time spent configuring the detector and ensures consistently high performance by memorising settings for up to 100 products.

Lock will also demonstrate its standard membrane keypad and touchscreen interface mounted on MET 30+ detectors. The company says that the rugged design of the membrane keypad lends it to use in harsh production environments, like the meat industry.

The user-friendly touchscreen panel incorporates Lock's ADC software so the data can be viewed on the screen itself rather than from a networked PC or laptop. This delivers accurate detection of the tiniest particles of metal - whatever the product profile.

Lock's​ compact vertical fall detector has passed explosive pressure tests in line with requirements of the stringent ATEX Directive. ATEX certification guarantees that powders, granules and dusts can pass safely through the detector vessel with no risk of explosion.

Lock has made a number of new additions to its product line-up over the past year, including the X-treme metal detector, designed to be washdown resistant, and the slimline MET 30+ which was introduced in 2003 aimed at manufacturers with restricted space.

As well as serving the UK industry, Lock has a comprehensive sales network, with offices in France, the Netherlands, US and Australia, it also has a global network of distributors.

The company's Australian offices were opened up in August last year and will act as its Asia Pacific headquarters. The company has reported growing demand in the region in recent years, in particular from the burgeoning China market.