FDBusiness.com

Award-winning ice cream producer Cheshire Farm continues to invest in its modern factory with the recent installation of a metal detector and conveyor system from Lock Inspection Systems. 

The family-run business produces over 2,000 litres of ice cream per hour, in more than 30 different flavours and a range of tub sizes from 110ml to 5 litres.  The chosen end-of-line Lock system, which replaces an outdated metal detector, meets the challenges of this very specific manufacturing environment.

“Accurate inspection of ice cream can be difficult because the conductive signal varies according to the temperature of the

product – even slight changes during production will make a difference.  With temperatures of around -6˚C at inspection, any unexpected rise or fall in ambient temperature may change the temperature of the ice cream and alter the conductive signal that it generates.   Our sophisticated technology can track these fluctuations and make the necessary fine adjustments to ensure a consistently high level of contaminant sensitivity,” explains Rob Gray, UK sales at Lock Inspection Systems.

Installed to inspect the filled tubs, the Lock metal detector and conveyor system also benefits from user-friendly data software which can store and recall over 100 product settings; allowing it to efficiently adapt to the range of different sizes.

“We needed to update our detection system and chose Lock’s bespoke system based on its reputation for outstanding performance, reliability and understanding of specific manufacturing issues.  It’s now a key part of our factory,” comments Graeme Fell, production manager at Cheshire Farm.

Cheshire Farm’s Real Dairy Ice Cream is made using fresh whole milk and cream which is produced on the farm.   Established in 1986, the business was developed as a way to create added value from the milk produced in excess of the farm’s quota restriction.  Its award-winning ice cream is now supplied to over 900 pubs, restaurants, hotels and retail outlets across the north-west of England.