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Belt Metal Detectors
MPI’s Belt Metal Detectors are designed for high-performance, in-line inspection of both bulk and packaged materials as they move along conveyor systems. Engineered for seamless integration, these systems continuously monitor product flow to detect ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless steel contaminants—even in challenging environments or products with high moisture or temperature variance.
Upon detection, the system immediately activates alarms or integrated reject mechanisms to isolate contaminated product without disrupting the production line. This real-time inspection capability helps protect downstream equipment, prevent product recalls, and ensure compliance with food safety and quality assurance standards.
Available in a range of aperture sizes and configurations, MPI’s Belt Metal Detectors can be customized to fit virtually any conveyor belt width or product height. Their rugged construction withstands demanding industrial environments, making them ideal for use in food processing, packaging, plastics, recycling, and chemical manufacturing. Optional washdown-rated housings, digital sensitivity controls, and data logging features make these detectors a versatile and essential component in any contamination control strategy.
Packaged Goods (BD) Metal Detector
The METAL SHARK® Belt Style Metal Detector is often used to detect meat, poultry, and seafood contaminants. It delivers exceptional sensitivity to ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless-steel metals, even in high-moisture or high-salt products that typically challenge conventional detection systems. It is designed for hygienic environments and features washdown-safe construction and customizable reject systems to ensure safe, compliant operation in protein processing lines.
Tunnel (TU) Metal Detector
The Tunnel Metal Detector (TU) is designed for versatile installation on conveyors, accommodating various production environments. It is commonly utilized across industries such as plastic recycling, rubber manufacturing, wood and paper processing, and food production. The TU model is proficient at detecting both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including stainless steel. Its durable construction ensures reliability in abrasive and harsh conditions, while optional features like multi-frequency and phase discrimination minimize false triggers caused by product interference or environmental factors.
BIG Metal Detector
The SHARK® BIG is made for rough industrial applications, including large and bulky products such as wood logs, paper bales, rubber blocks, or recycled materials. Engineered with a reinforced frame and oversized tunnel openings, it provides reliable detection of metal contaminants in high-volume, heavy-duty environments. Its advanced signal processing and noise suppression ensure accurate performance, even in challenging installations with significant vibration or electromagnetic interference.
CO680 Large Bag Metal Detector
The CO680 Large Bag Metal Detector senses ferrous and non-ferrous metals as small as 2 mm stainless steel, ensuring high-precision inspection of bulk packaged goods. It is specifically designed to inspect large bags, boxes, or sacks of raw materials—such as flour, sugar, grains, plastic pellets, or powdered chemicals—before they enter production. With its rugged construction, wide detection aperture, and user-friendly controls, the CO680 offers reliable contaminant detection in demanding industrial environments, helping manufacturers maintain product quality and equipment protection.
Compatibility Check - Conveyor Belt Metal Detector Comparison
Unique Benefits and Considerations
Industries, Applications and Regulations
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Industry Type
Industries That Use MPI Belt Metal Detectors
MPI’s belt-style metal detectors are used across a variety of industries where bulk or packaged goods are conveyed and metal contamination is a risk:
Food Processing & Packaging
Meat, poultry, seafood
Bakery products
Dairy and cheese
Frozen foods
Snack foods and ready meals
Plastics & Rubber
Plastic pellets and regrind
Rubber bales and blocks
Pre-processing for extrusion or molding
Recycling & Waste Management
Plastic scrap inspection
Wood and paper recycling
Metal contamination removal from municipal solid waste
Forestry & Wood Products
Logs, timber, wood chips
Pulp and paper bales
Biomass materials
Chemical & Mineral Processing
Fertilizers, powdered chemicals, and bulk granulates
Inspection of raw or intermediate chemical products
Processing Application
Typical Conveyor Belt Metal Detector Applications
Each model serves a specialized role in a belt-conveyed environment:
Packaged Goods (BD) Detector – Detects metal in sealed or wrapped food items moving along production lines.
Tunnel (TU) Detector – Installed above or below a conveyor to scan raw or processed bulk material.
SHARK® BIG Detector – Handles large, heavy products like logs, bales, or bulk scrap material.
CO680 Large Bag Detector – Designed for large-format bags, boxes, or sacks of bulk raw materials prior to processing.
Common use cases include:
End-of-line inspection before shipping
Incoming raw material quality control
In-process protection for grinders, extruders, or packaging equipment
Rejecting contaminated products to reduce recalls or downtime
Materials Processed
MPI belt metal detectors can process a wide range of solid, packaged, or bulk materials, such as:
Packaged meats, cheeses, frozen entrees, and snack foods
Large bags or boxes of sugar, flour, coffee, rice, or other dry goods
Plastic pellets, flakes, and granules
Rubber or resin blocks
Logs, lumber, paper bales, and compressed materials
Chemical powders, salts, or minerals
Regulations and Requirements
Regulations and Quality Control Requirements
Regulatory Compliance
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) – Ensures safety in food, pharma, and supplement applications.
USDA / FSIS – For meat and poultry environments, especially in protein processing facilities.
GFSI Certifications – Including BRCGS, SQF, and FSSC 22000, which require validated metal detection points.
CE / UL – Electrical safety and machinery directives for industrial equipment.
21 CFR Part 11 – Applies to detectors with electronic recordkeeping in pharma.
Quality Control Requirements
Routine Calibration & Testing – Using certified test samples (ferrous, non-ferrous, stainless).
Performance Validation – Integrated into HACCP plans with documented test protocols.
Reject System Monitoring – Verifying that detected contaminants are properly removed from the line.
Data Logging & Traceability – Important for audit trails and production recordkeeping.
Hygienic Design – IP-rated enclosures, stainless steel housings, and washdown compatibility for food and pharma lines.