Ishida expands x-ray detection equipment
Ishida IX-GE-B3034 can detect contaminants such as glass, stones and rubber in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, tetra packs, carton brick packs and pouches.
The machine, which was developed in Japan, is single lane and can reach speeds of 45 metres per minute.
Inspection process
The firm said it takes the product off existing conveyors and returns it after inspection, meaning it can be easily integrated into current production layouts with minimal disruption.
A choice of reject systems is available and the IX-GE-B3034 can also be specified with fill level and cap detection to avoid under-filled and incorrectly sealed packs.
The sealed conveyor chamber ensures safe operation without the need for protective curtains, and X-ray output is immediately shut down if the integrity of the chamber is ever compromised.
The lack of protective curtains is because top-heavy products such as bottles could be knocked over.
The conveyor removes the bottles from the customer's conveyor and this means there is no direct sight into the x-ray chamber which avoids the need for the curtains, explained Ishida.
Total solution
The machine’s stainless steel construction, with an open framework for easy cleaning, conforms to HACCP requirements with the main body being IP-65 rated and the inspection chamber IP-66.
The x-ray system offers automatic set-up and rapid warm up within 90 seconds with a 15 inch touch screen monitor and Windows XP system ensure simple intuitive operation.
There is no need for routine calibration and sensitivity levels can be checked without interrupting product inspection with data stored and accessed to produce quality reports, said Ishida.
Other features include its fill level and cap detection and the Genetic Algorithm which all Ishida weighers have and which teaches the machine to look for difficult to detect defects.
Jim Bedford, Ishida Europe’s Product Manager for X-ray Systems, said: “With pressure on manufacturers to maximise production throughput, it is even more critical that they have effective measures in place to ensure that product quality is not compromised.
“The use of the IX-GE-B3034 demonstrates due diligence to customers, avoids the high cost implications of product recalls, and makes a vital contribution to protecting the brand reputation of our customers.”
