Key Takeaways
- Fortress Technology will unveil a new touchscreen solution at interpack 2026 to enhance food safety and reduce human errors in manufacturing.
- The 18.3 x 11.4 cm touchscreen integrates with existing metal detectors, featuring real-time monitoring and improved alert visibility.
- The system supports advanced data integration and compliance with safety standards like HACCP and GFSI through automated reporting capabilities.
Touchscreen Solution for Enhanced Food Safety
Fortress Technology is set to debut an innovative touchscreen solution at interpack 2026, focusing on improving food safety and significantly minimizing human error in fast-moving manufacturing environments. This new interface will be showcased on the company’s Stealth metal detector, which incorporates bold buttons and contrasting icons to facilitate immediate access to critical control point (CCP) information, even under pressure.
The touchscreen measure 18.3 cm by 11.4 cm and is designed to be compatible with Fortress’s entire line of metal detectors. This uniform screen size allows food processors currently using Stealth and Interceptor models to upgrade without extensive modifications to their existing systems. Fortress has confirmed that its current membrane-style and stainless steel Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) will still remain in use, ensuring continuity for existing customers.
Notably, the high-contrast digital display features both light and dark modes to assist personnel in performing safety-critical tasks. This new interface allows for real-time monitoring and provides quick access to event logs and prompt product setup. The HMI displays live production statistics including contaminant detection rates, conveyor and reject bin status, and throughput metrics. All event data is logged for easy extraction and reporting.
Fortress Technology has emphasized that quality assurance reports can be extracted via USB or automated through its Contact 4.0 digital reporting technology. This enhancement is aimed at improving real-time traceability and simplifying auditing processes while automating verification records. Advanced connectivity options, like optional OPC UA and Ethernet/IP Communication Adapters, are also available for real-time data capture and integration with existing plant monitoring systems.
Complementing these features, when paired with the Halo Automatic Testing system, food processors can ensure compliance with stringent safety regulations, including HACCP, GFSI, and BRCGS standards.
In other industry developments, Eriez has introduced its PrecisionGuard X8 Metal Detector, designed for effective detection of various contaminants across different sectors such as food and packaging. Meanwhile, Theegarten-Pactec has launched its FPC6 flow-wrapping machine, engineered for flexibility and efficiency in processing diverse food products with minimal retooling.
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