Overview Of How The Quality Test Function Works - Thermo Scientific APEX 100 User Manual

Overview of How the Quality Test Function Works

The most commonly used types of test to verify the detector's response are as follows.
• Three-Metal Test
This test uses three different types of metal placed in the center of three
separate packets of product. Clearly, which metals you use depends on what
contaminants you are interested in. In a typical work environment, this test is
conducted using application-specific (conveyor, gravity-feed, or pharmaceutical)
ferrous, non-ferrous, or stainless-steel balls. This is the most frequently used of
the three types of tests.
• Positional Test
This test uses a single contaminant of uniform size (for example the application-
specific ferrous test ball) placed in three different positions—usually in the
leading, middle, and trailing edge of three separate packets of product.
• Size Test
This test uses a single type of metal (for example, ferrous balls), but uses three
different sizes ranging through small, medium, and large. Clearly, how small,
medium, and large are defined depends on your particular work environment and
the size-range of the contaminants you are interested in. In a typical application,
the test balls are placed in the center of three separate packets of product.
Managing the QA Test
During long production runs, it is a good idea to test the detector's performance every
two hours or thereabouts, and the Quality Test function allows you to manage this
process. Here, in outline, is what the Quality Test function does.
• Alerts your shift supervisor—for example by flashing a light—that two hours (or
other time interval) has elapsed, and the detector needs to be tested.
• Gives your shift supervisor a 10-minute time window (or other time interval) in
which to start testing.
• Shuts down the conveyor automatically, sounds a siren, or takes other action you
specify, if your shift supervisor does not start testing within 10 minutes of the
"start testing" signal being activated.
• Monitors peak signal and phase angle during the testing process, and provides a
warning, alarm, or fault if the peak-signal or phase-angle values are not within
the limits you specify.
• Assign the reject device (Reject 1 or Reject 2) used to remove contaminated test
products from the conveyor during the QA test. The default setting is to use the
Reject-1 device.
Thermo Scientific APEX User's Guide Page 197