AMDS Technology

Spin off from QRSciences activities with advanced security screening devices

Proprietary metal detection arch contains an inline sensor array

Real time advanced digital signal processing allows classification of items' general shape, size and composition

Easily configured to detect a wide range of conducting objects and materials

Technology

Advanced Metal Detection System

QRSciences specialises in providing unique technology in the field of electromagnetic sensors and is continuing to deliver new customer orientated products with its range of Advanced Metal Detection Systems (AMDS). The AMDS technology was spun off from QRSciences activities with advanced security screening devices which examine baggage for explosive material. The application specific metal detection arch contains an inline sensor array which continuously scans the conveyor belt load to search for conducting objects, categorising the composition of materials as they pass through. The scanners utilise low frequency, very low intensity pulsed electromagnetic fields to examine the object's response. The electrical characteristics of permeability and conductivity along with the spatial distribution allow the classification of items in terms of general shape, size and composition by real time advanced digital signal processing. These systems can be easily configured to detect a wide range of conducting objects and materials.

QRSciences first AMDS unit is the AMDS600 scanner. The AMDS600 has a variety of potential uses, a particularly effective configuration is to secure national and international postal gateways, where the shipping of firearms, firearm components and other weapons are banned or strictly regulated. The technology differentiates these objects from a wide range of harmless clutter, typically achieving very low false positive alarm rates. For commercial/government enterprises delivering high volumes of material, the highlighting of small percentages of mail packages assists the operator and adds value to the enterprise by increasing detection rates while not burdening operators or the system with unwarranted overheads. The AMDS automatic alert can be used by the operator to sort suspicious packages for secondary examination, or act as an operator assist when using other forms of technology to greatly enhance the detection of illicit objects. The standard output of the unit is a simple synchronised alert light. The actual time of alert can be configured along with a remote indicator panel to provide package status to down stream sorting or inspection activities.

The AMDS600 can be used as a stand alone screening system, the probe field type and intensity make the unit inherently human safe delivering an attractive alternative to X-ray systems, free of all the logistical complications of ionising radiation and licensing requirements. The AMDS600 is completely automated, requiring minimal training for the operators / supervisors; and is particularly well suited to schools, universities, prisons, commercial enterprises and government buildings. The AMDS600 is also an extremely effective automatic pre-screening device providing very high detection rates. For example, it can forewarn X-ray operators of a package holding illegal-firearms or components, bringing each threat clearly to the operator's attention thus maintaining operator focus in a manner similar to Threat Image Projection (TIP) in the airline industry. The unit can be configured for conveyor belt width up to 900mm and with a length of 600mm integrates into most pre-existing conveyor lines. The conveyor speed can be readily adjusted to suit user requirements, with an optional sensor provided to track infeed/outfeed conveyor motion.

A new product for 2009 is our metal screening product range code-named AMDS-II, this will offer more configurable and functional integration with a range of X-ray screening systems and video package recognition. AMDS-II will deliver superior benchmarks in metal detection with improved discrimination and resolution for automated threat / target identification.

View the AMDS600 Brochure (406.43 Kb)