Fortress Technology is due to showcase its latest touchscreen solution at interpack 2026, seeking to improve food safety and ‘significantly reduce’ human error in fast-paced manufacturing facilities.
Presented on a Stealth metal detector, the new touchscreen design features bold buttons, contrasting icons and a multi-colour warning system, aiming to ensure that staff can immediately access all the critical control point (CCP) information even in high-pressure situations, and review and act upon alerts or events in the log.
Measuring 18.3 cm by 11.4 cm, the touchscreen integrates with all metal detectors in the product line. Having a uniform screen size means that food processors currently utilizing the company’s Stealth and Interceptor gravity, pipeline and conveyor metal detectors can upgrade without requiring extensive modifications. Fortress Technology confirms that the current membrane-style and stainless steel HMIs will continue to be available and are not being phased out.
The company adds that the high contrast digital display features light and dark modes designed to support ‘safety critical’ tasks, allowing staff to clearly see alerts and essential information. The new interface supports real-time monitoring and provides immediate access to event logs and faster product setup.
Live production statistics are presented on the Human Machine Interface (HMI) including contaminant detection, conveyor and reject bin status, throughput metrics, sensitivity settings and the product being inspected. All this event data is clearly logged for extraction and data reporting.
Fortress Technology says quality assurance reports can be extracted from the HMI by USB or automated through Contact 4.0 digital reporting technology. This hopes to improve real-time traceability and monitoring, simplify audit reporting and automate performance verification records. There are also flexible options for networked data integration.
Processors with more advanced connectivity needs can utilize optional OPC UA and Ethernet/IP Communication Adapters for customized real time data capture and data integration with existing plant monitoring, ERP systems and databases. When paired with Halo Automatic Testing to verify the performance of each Fortress Technology food metal detector, these features can assist food processors in complying with stringent safety standards such as HACCP, GFSI, BRCGS and retailer and supply chain codes of practice.
In related news, Eriez revealed its PrecisionGuard X8 Metal Detector last year, engineered to deliver accurate and reliable detection of ferrous, nonferrous, and stainless-steel contaminants across food, packaging, plastics, and other light industrial applications. The system is available in a range of configurations including tunnel, tunnel with conveyor, liquid line, vertical drop, vertical form fill seal (VFFS), pharmaceutical and webline models.
More recently, Theegarten-Pactec announced its FPC6 flow-wrapping machine for manufacturers of foods including chocolate, confectionery and protein bars, said to combine ‘outstanding’ flexibility with advanced user-friendliness, digital networking and maximum process reliability. It processes a variety of product formats without major retooling and has cold sealing, heat sealing and cut-seam welding options for water-soluble films.
If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:
The ultimate guide to packaging innovation in 2026
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation: what to know in 2026
Everything you need to know about global packaging sustainability regulation
No comments yet