Press information To download a 300dpi print quality image, go to www.parkfield.co.uk/vero Fish, fowl and good red meat Measuring fish freshness and fat content in fish and meats Released 29 June 2009 Distell.com, based in West Lothian, Scotland, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of portable measuring instruments for use in the food industry. Three main products are produced: the fish freshness meter, the fish fat meter and the meat fat meter. All three are self-contained, easy to use and provide reliable indications of the quality and freshness of the examined fish or meat. With increasing emphasis from wholesalers, retailers and customers on freshness and quality, the instruments were developed to replace the inherently unreliable sensory analysis - sight, smell and touch, traditionally used by highly trained and experienced human assessors. The Torrymeter fish freshness sensor provides an objective, repeatable method, based on sound scientific principles, to measure, record and store the test results, which give a direct correlation between the observed readings and the EU's system of grading fish for marketing purposes. The instrument determines dielectric properties of the fish skin and muscle, which alter in a systematic way during spoilage to give a measurement of the freshness of the fish. The sensing head, applied directly to the skin of the fish, has two pairs of concentrically arranged electrodes. An alternating current is passed through the fish; the phase angle between the current and voltage is measured and converted electronically to give a digital readout on a convenient scale. When Distell.com updated the Torrymeter to fulfil a major order from the Far East, Vero Technologies was approached to supply a modified version of its standard hand-held Veronex plastic enclosures. Basing the design on a standard platform had obvious benefits in reductions in front end design costs, reduced time to market and simplified logistic. The collaboration between Distell and its chosen partner Vero Technologies resulted in an integrated solution for all of the technical challenges raised, in less than 4 weeks from concept to prototypes, enabling the customer to meet his window of opportunity. Another benefit was that with a complete, finished unit supplied by the original manufacturer, the need for wastage allowances was eliminated, as were time delays incurred when multiple sub-contractors are used to modify a supplied standard part. The units supplied to Distell.com are sealed to IP64, are moulded in UL94-V0 flameproof ABS in special colours to meet Distell.com's corporate requirements and are RFI screened by means of an internal coating of silver/copper conductive material on the body of the enclosure. The separate end panels, one of which is transparent continue the integrity of the RFI screen by the application of a transparent conductive finish originally developed for military applications. Apertures are provided in the top and side of the enclosure to accept data and battery recharge connectors, displays and operator controls. The coatings and finishes chosen achieve an attenuation level of 200dB at 100MHz for the completed case. Vero Technologies provide similarly modified enclosures for Distell.com's other main products, enabling a strong corporate identity to be created across the product range and enabling Distell.com to satisfy the rapidly growing demand for their precision instruments from customers around the world in a cost effective and efficient manner. *** Ends: body copy 511 words *** Notes to editors. For further information: John Morton Vero Technologies Ltd. Unit 25, Solent Industrial Estate Hedge End Hants SO30 2FY Tel: + 44 (0)1489 776931 Fax: + 44 (0)1489 776938 sales@verotech.co.uk www.verotl.com Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Communications Limited Parkfield House Damerham Hants SP6 3HQ tel: + 44 (0)1725 518321 fax: + 44 (0)1725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk