A new range of contaminants, product defects and packaging imperfections are being spotted by the latest styles of multi-beam X-ray systems and optical inspection technologies.

Metal detection is a fact of life in the food processing industry. Most processors, whether they process snacks, meats, grains or liquids, have either metal detectors or X-ray machines to detect and control metal contamination.

The Eriez E-Z Tec XR-Bulk X-ray inspection system inspects virtually any continuous product stream for foreign objects (metal, glass, stone, bone and some plastics), count, seal integrity, weight, shape, item position and presence/absence of items.

Capable of detecting metal, glass, dense plastics and other contaminants in packaged food, the Thermo Scientific Xpert C400 X-ray system can be used for thicker, denser products; wet, semi-frozen products; metalized packaging structures; and/or higher-speed production.

The Thomas & Betts Ty-Rap line of detectable cable ties includes mounting bases made from materials identifiable by X-ray equipment, metal detectors and visual detection equipment.

Designed for packaging applications, the Eriez E-Z Tec XR-Pack X-ray inspection system is used for identifying contaminants, scanning for broken products and mass inspection.

Ishida IX-GA Series X-ray inspection systems check product integrity, package quality and weight accuracy.

Engineered for food manufacturers in the packaged meat, poultry and dairy industries, the Eagle 400 HC X-ray inspection system simultaneously inspects for foreign bodies including metal, glass, stone and bone, and checks products for correct weight, size and shape.

An enhanced X-ray system moves the technology beyond contaminant inspection to precise analysis of the fat and lean components of meat.