New X-ray scanner from S+S inspects different products simultaneously

S+S Separation and Sorting Technology GmbH of Schönberg, Bavaria is inviting visitors to FachPack 2006 in Nuremberg (Hall 9, Stand 9-205) to take a closer look at its next generation RAYCON X-ray systems. By enhancing a number of important components S+S has designed a product inspection system which operates at increased throughput speeds and with improved image processing, even with using a lower power X-ray source.

RAYCON systems detect mag-netic and non-magnetic contaminants and other foreign bodies (glass, ceramic, stone, rubber, bone, PVC) even those contained in metallised or metal foil packaging. If required, missing items, underweight or malformed products can also be identified. The new RAYCON has been specifically designed to achieve weighing accuracies of +/- 1% and it is extremely simple to op-erate, even for non-technical personnel. RAYCON systems are easy to clean and maintain and are therefore particularly suited to applications in the food and packaging industries. They are primarily used for final inspection of packaged product.

The RAYCON product inspection system operates with an X-ray output of 20 to 80 kV and a maximum of 2 mA; this can be adjusted to the density and height of the product as well as to conveyor belt speed. Scattered radiation from the X-ray system has been reduced to such a degree that there is no longer any requirement for either radiation protection curtains or lead screening. Furthermore, the geometry of the machine has changed so that products can now be inspected over their entire height (maximum 150mm) and width (250mm or 280mm). With nearly all other conventional systems inspection width reduces considerably as product height increases. The new-generation RAYCON is significantly smaller and lighter than the previous models. High performance image processing software provides detailed images of the smallest contaminants and other product defects.

The new X-ray scanner analyses up to 600 product units per minute. It provides simultaneous inspection of diverse products and packages with no requirement to reset the machine. A one-off “image learn” of the products is all that is required. Valid products lying diagonally across the belt or out of position no longer trigger a false reject. It is even possible to simultaneously in-spect parallel product lines running completely different products. Reject mechanism options in-clude a pusher or air blast unit with lockable container. Recording and archiving of data is fully

compliant with IFS and HACCP quality standards. Models with larger inspection apertures and for bulk materials will be available from September 2006.