5 replies to this topic

[hygienic]

Dear All :

As I read there is X-ray machine or which is utilize to detect the foreign objects in the foods. So I would like to ask about this system or this detector. Do you know any company selling this macine ? just I want to see how its working.


Thanks Regards

Edited by hygienic, 14 April 2010 - 05:33 PM.

[Kiran]

Dear All :

As I read there is X-ray machine or which is utilize to detect the foreign objects in the foods. So I would like to ask about this system or this detector. Do you know any company selling this macine ? just I want to see how its working.


Thanks Regards

Hi Hygienic,

I am from Smiths Detection. Smiths Detection manufactures x-ray systems which you are referring to.

The basic working principle of x-ray system is the difference in absorption of x-ray energy depending on the desnity of materials. The higher the density of material, the higher energy is absorbed by that material. In general, food products have density close to water (1 g/cc) while metals have higher density (e.g. stainless steel approx. 7.8 g/cc). When product passes through x-ray system, it absorbs some x-ray energy. If there is a metal piece present, it will absorb more energy compared to the product itself. The system analyses such difference in x-ray absorption to determine presence of contaminants/ foreign bodies. As the x-ray absorption is proportional to density of material, the contaminants which have higher density are easier to detect as they will show significant contrast to the product.

Conventional metal detectors which work on electromagnetic principle work good for ferrous contaminants but have poor sensitivity for stainless steel. As the density of ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel is quite close compared to food prodcuts, x-ray system offers same results of detection for ferrous as well as stainless steel. The x-ray system performance is not affected by product properties such as product temperature, moisture content etc. which may have influence on metal detector performance. X-ray systems can also detect non-metallic contaminants like glass, stone, bone, some kinds of rubber and plastics etc.

X-ray inspection systems can be used for products with metallic packaging as well, such as metalized foil packs or tin cans etc. Wide range of models are available for bulk/ unpackaged flow inspection, various types of packaging including metals and glass jars.

Another advantage of x-ray system is that it can also be used for inspection of products for other quality paramaters such as checking weight, checking for presence/ absence of items, counting items, size/ shape/ area variation etc. The inspection criteria will depend on the application.

I am just mentioning in brief how x-ray systems work and some possibilties that x-ray systems can offer. By the way, if you wish to discuss any specific application details, you may also contact me on kiran.deochake@smithsdetection.com.

Hope this helps.

Kiran

[GMO]

I am definitely an x-ray are better than metal detectors convert for the reasons above, however, you should be aware of some small things with x-rays which complicate matters. Many "metal detectable" plastics are not in fact detectable in x-rays because of the density. Also the same goes for metal detectable plasters (you have to buy x-ray detectable ones which are more expensive.) Also some unscrupulous types will sell you an x-ray pointing out it can detect other contaminants but inevitibly you would have to make test cards containing these contaminants and plastics particularly are often too close in density to be detected.

There is also a strong orientation effect in x-rays whereas I believe the overall size of the contaminant is more important in metal detectors so they can be insensitive to thin wire in my experience.

That all said, I would still chose an x-ray but you just have to be aware of the limitations and differences in technology.

[hygienic]

Hi Hygienic,

I am from Smiths Detection. Smiths Detection manufactures x-ray systems which you are referring to.

The basic working principle of x-ray system is the difference in absorption of x-ray energy depending on the desnity of materials. The higher the density of material, the higher energy is absorbed by that material. In general, food products have density close to water (1 g/cc) while metals have higher density (e.g. stainless steel approx. 7.8 g/cc). When product passes through x-ray system, it absorbs some x-ray energy. If there is a metal piece present, it will absorb more energy compared to the product itself. The system analyses such difference in x-ray absorption to determine presence of contaminants/ foreign bodies. As the x-ray absorption is proportional to density of material, the contaminants which have higher density are easier to detect as they will show significant contrast to the product.

Conventional metal detectors which work on electromagnetic principle work good for ferrous contaminants but have poor sensitivity for stainless steel. As the density of ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel is quite close compared to food prodcuts, x-ray system offers same results of detection for ferrous as well as stainless steel. The x-ray system performance is not affected by product properties such as product temperature, moisture content etc. which may have influence on metal detector performance. X-ray systems can also detect non-metallic contaminants like glass, stone, bone, some kinds of rubber and plastics etc.

X-ray inspection systems can be used for products with metallic packaging as well, such as metalized foil packs or tin cans etc. Wide range of models are available for bulk/ unpackaged flow inspection, various types of packaging including metals and glass jars.

Another advantage of x-ray system is that it can also be used for inspection of products for other quality paramaters such as checking weight, checking for presence/ absence of items, counting items, size/ shape/ area variation etc. The inspection criteria will depend on the application.

I am just mentioning in brief how x-ray systems work and some possibilties that x-ray systems can offer. By the way, if you wish to discuss any specific application details, you may also contact me on kiran.deochake@smithsdetection.com.

Hope this helps.

Kiran

Dear Kiran;

Thanks for your input, Just I want to ask , Does this system similar from the efficiency and principle of work with x.ray system which is utilize in the Airports by customs inspector?


Regards

[GMO]

I'm generally a fan of your products but I've tried the marker pens and they weren't visible in our machines anyway.

[Dr Ajay Shah]

Hi Hygienic,

Yes I agree with some of the comments made by GMO and others that X Ray Detection is better than Metal detection but it is a costly propsition.

There are other X Ray Inspection systems available from Mettler Toledo which is a reputable company:

http://au.mt.com/au/...ml?sem=10010102

One can also get metal detectebale cable ties which can be used for tying cables etc .

I hope this helps.

Regards

Ajay