Ishida Europe has expanded its range of X-ray inspection systems for the food industry with the launch of the IX-GA-65100, which is particularly suitable for large products and cartons. Ishida is already the leading supplier of X-ray monitoring systems in Japan and has recently introduced its latest generation machines into Europe for the first time.
The new IX-GA-65100 can monitor products with dimensions up to 100cm long, 65cm wide and 39cm high. Foreign bodies including metal, bone, plastic, glass, stone and hard rubber are reliably detected, while incomplete packages and those with damaged contents can also be identified.
The IX-GA range uses a self-learning Genetic Algorithm (GA) technology to offer maximum detection sensitivity and reliability. Foreign bodies can be detected through aluminium foil and also in tins, regardless of the temperature or the salt and water content of the product.
GA technology focuses the machine to identify difficult to detect contaminants with a high degree of accuracy, even at high throughput rates, using image data analysis over a number of inspections. As it is common in food production for similar contamination problems to recur, data logging can help to build up a more precise calibration protocol with each inspection. This enables permanent or recurring defects to be more easily identified and its location in the pack pinpointed.
The IX-GA is particularly easy to use and can be controlled via touchscreen on a Windows XP interface. Thanks to its user-friendly stainless steel design, the new machine can also be easily cleaned, and the belt conveyor can be removed without tools.
The food being inspected is not affected by radiation and is therefore not subject to compulsory labelling. The safety of operating staff is also safeguarded thanks to three-fold plastic curtains which are filled with lead, ensuring that no radiation can escape from the machine. The system switches off automatically when the door of the machine is opened, or when an operator reaches into the inspection chamber.
