FA-MD + FA-CW Combo: Rugged Inspection for High-Speed Fresh Produce Lines
For large-scale horticultural producers specializing in hydroponically grown fresh produce—cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens—quality control demands equipment that can withstand rigorous washdowns, keep pace with ultra-high-speed lines, and meet strict supermarket compliance standards. This is why GreenTech Horticulture—the UK’s largest high-tech greenhouse complex (spanning 92 hectares/220 acres in Kent)—partnered with Shanghai Fanchi-tech Machinery Co., Ltd. to deploy our FA-MD Metal Detectors and FA-CW Checkweighers, including a space-saving combo system. The solution not only endured the producer’s harsh hygiene protocols but also optimized throughput, ensuring 100% contaminant-free and weight-compliant fresh produce for major UK supermarkets.
The Challenge: Tough Environments & High-Stakes Compliance
As a leader in hydroponic fresh produce (growing crops in Rockwool with nutrient-rich irrigation, no soil), GreenTech Horticulture faced unique pain points that mirror the demands of large-scale horticulture:
- Rigorous Washdown Requirements: Daily high-pressure cleaning (per strict hygiene standards) required equipment built to resist moisture and cleaning chemicals—no compromise on durability or electronics protection.
- Ultra-High Throughput: Production lines for cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers operated at speeds up to 80m/min—inspection equipment had to match this pace without bottlenecks.
- Critical Contamination Control: Sliced cucumbers and whole produce risked metal contamination from processing equipment (e.g., cutting blades, conveyor parts)—a non-negotiable hazard for supermarket suppliers.
- Space & Versatility: With multiple product lines (diverse fruit/vegetable sizes), the solution needed to be compact (for seamless integration) and adaptable to different SKUs, minimizing downtime.
- Supermarket Compliance: Major retailers required HACCP-aligned documentation, real-time data tracking, and consistent quality—failure to meet these standards risked lost partnerships.
The Solution: FA-MD Metal Detectors + FA-CW Checkweighers (Standalone & Combo)
Fanchi-tech’s tailored inspection suite was engineered to thrive in GreenTech’s demanding environment, combining ruggedness, speed, and precision:
1. FA-CW Checkweigher: Built for Fresh Produce Hygiene
Designed to withstand the rigors of daily cleaning while delivering high-speed accuracy:
- Water & Dust Resistant Design: Engineered for strict hygiene protocols, withstanding frequent high-pressure washdowns to prevent bacterial growth on equipment surfaces.
- High-Speed Performance: Belt speeds up to 80m/min sync perfectly with GreenTech’s cucumber, tomato, and pepper lines, handling up to 400 products per minute without compromising accuracy.
- 0.5g Precision: Ensures weight compliance for packaged produce (from 100g snack packs to 1kg family-size containers), meeting supermarket weight codes of practice.
- Hygienic Construction: Smooth, crevice-free 304 stainless steel build eliminates dirt traps, while a sealed control panel protects electronics from cleaning chemicals and moisture.
2. FA-MD Metal Detector: Sensitivity for Fresh Produce
Calibrated to detect tiny metal contaminants in whole or sliced produce—even in high-moisture environments:
- Advanced Signal Processing: Filters out product interference (e.g., moisture in cucumbers, conductive packaging) to avoid false alarms, while detecting ferrous (0.6mm), non-ferrous (0.8mm), and stainless steel (1.0mm) fragments—common hazards from cutting blades or conveyor wear.
- Seamless Integration: Available as a standalone unit or combined with the FA-CW in a compact combo system (ideal for GreenTech’s sliced cucumber line), saving valuable floor space.
3. Combo System: Space-Saving, All-in-One Inspection
For GreenTech’s high-priority cucumber slicing line, the FA-MD + FA-CW combo system delivered dual functionality in one footprint:
- Simultaneous Detection & Weighing: Eliminates the need for separate units, streamlining the line and reducing installation complexity.
- HACCP-Aligned Features:
- Fanchi Performance Validation System (FPV): Automatically prompts operators to conduct sensitivity/accuracy checks at pre-set intervals, generating detailed records of contaminants and weight deviations—critical for supermarket audits.
- OPC Data Integration: Industry-standard Object Linking and Embedding for Process Control (OPC) connects the system to GreenTech’s factory data capture network, enabling real-time monitoring and easy access to diagnostic/statistical reports.
4. Versatility for Diverse Produce
Both FA-MD and FA-CW support 100+ product profiles, allowing quick changeovers between cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and packaged salads—minimizing downtime and adapting to GreenTech’s varied production runs.
Customer Success: Speed, Durability & Compliance Achieved
Since deploying Fanchi-tech’s inspection solutions, GreenTech Horticulture has transformed its quality control and operational efficiency:
- Maintained 80m/min line speeds with zero bottlenecks, boosting daily output by 12% (critical for meeting year-round consumer demand for British fresh produce).
- Withstood daily rigorous washdowns for 18+ months—no equipment failures or performance degradation.
- Achieved 100% compliance with supermarket codes of practice and HACCP standards, with zero contamination or weight-related customer complaints.
- Reduced changeover time by 60% (from 10 minutes to 4 minutes) thanks to pre-stored product profiles.
“Fanchi-tech stood out during our supplier evaluation for their technical expertise and ability to deliver equipment that meets our harsh environment needs,” says James Carter, Operations Director at GreenTech Horticulture. “The FA-MD + FA-CW combo is rugged, easy to use, and keeps up with our fastest lines—we now have complete peace of mind that our produce is safe and compliant. It’s been a game-changer for our relationships with major supermarkets.”
He adds: “The OPC data integration lets us pull detailed reports in minutes, which our retail partners love. Fanchi-tech delivered on price, performance, and adaptability—exactly what we needed for our high-intensity horticulture operation.”
Why Fanchi-tech for Fresh Produce Producers?
For large-scale horticultural operations like GreenTech Horticulture, our FA-MD and FA-CW systems offer unmatched value:
- Hygiene-Focused Ruggedness: Water/dust resistant design and stainless steel construction thrive in frequent washdowns—essential for fresh produce safety.
- High-Speed Performance: 80m/min belt speeds and 400ppm throughput match the demands of large-scale greenhouse production.
- Compliance Readiness: FPV, OPC integration, and supermarket-aligned accuracy ensure audit success and retail trust.
- Flexible Integration: Standalone or combo units adapt to line layouts, while multi-product profiles support diverse produce ranges.
- Horticulture-Tailored Design: Optimized for moisture-rich, soil-free production environments (hydroponic/rockwool systems).
Take the Next Step: Secure Your Fresh Produce Lines
Don’t let equipment limitations slow your production or risk compliance. Contact Kerry Wang (Horticulture & Fresh Produce Equipment Specialist) to schedule a free virtual demo of the FA-MD + FA-CW system—we’ll tailor the solution to your line speed, washdown requirements, and product range, with free sample testing to prove durability and performance.
Shanghai Fanchi-tech Machinery Co., Ltd.
- Email: fanchitech@outlook.com
- Website: www.fanchitechnology.com
Post time: Dec-22-2025