Fastec Services has been performing industrial metal detector calibrations for nearly 20 years. Our technicians are the best in the industry, capable of calibrating each brand and model to the manufacturer’s exact specifications. Quite often, we find ourselves asked to perform validations rather than calibrations. There are important differences between the two and we would like to share this knowledge with our customer base in order to allow you to make the most informed decisions regarding your equipment and products.

Validations/Audits:

The first thing to note about a validation is that it in no way confirms that your equipment is properly calibrated and operating at optimal performance. The validation/audit process only consists of passing test samples through the metal detector within the product. If successful, a report is then generated which states that the metal detector successfully detected a contaminant during the test. This may indeed be a less expensive option for your company (if your auditor accepts such documentation for HAACP, BRC, SQF or any other food safety qualification). However, a validation is no more than a paid version of the tests a customer must perform on a routine basis. The only difference is that you are paying a third party company to pass the test samples through the device for you. There is no actual maintenance or testing of the device’s parameters or operating conditions, nor are the technicians capable of correcting any errors. Put quite simply, a validation is nothing more than a routine test sample process.

Calibration:

Here at Fastec Services our philosophy is to always calibrate. Our technicians are the best in the industry and have undergone rigorous training in order to be able to calibrate all brands and models to their precise specifications. This not only requires the specific knowledge to program and calibrate every machine, but also an intimate understanding of NIST calibrated test equipment (primarily oscilloscopes and digital volt meters).They are specifically trained to check and adjust the most vital aspects of a properly working metal detector, including oscillator tuning, receiver head tuning and head balance. They can detect and correct any out of specification parameters or outside influences that may hinder the proper operation of the machine. Once the machine is properly calibrated, a validation can then be performed to test the device, make any necessary adjustments and insure that it is working at peak performance.

Conclusion:

All metal detectors need calibrating. Each manufacturer will tell you that at least one annual visit is necessary to keep the detector operating at its best. Companies providing validations or audits will not have the parts, nor the technical expertise, to correct any issues regarding balance, oscillator or receiver tuning. As a result, they are merely performing the same tests that the customer must perform many times throughout the production cycle. We strongly encourage all of our customers to avoid validations as their means of determining the health and performance of their metal detectors and instead rely on highly trained professionals with the skill, knowledge and experience to properly calibrate and maintain the equipment.

Please feel free to contact us for any additional information or to schedule a calibration.

Dean Curbishley
President
Fastec Services LLC