High
speed metal detection ensures quality control, claims Mettler
By Jane Byrne
12-Aug-2008 –
Source of Article: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Quality-Safety/High-speed-metal-detection-ensures-quality-control-claims-Mettler-Toledo
A new X-ray system will
detect foreign bodies, damaged products and low fill levels in metal cans at
high speeds, claims Mettler
The X-ray
machinery supplier said that the new CanCheK system
is applicable for sectors such as baby food, tinned fruit and vegetables,
processed meat and fish, ready meals, soups, snacks and tinned desserts.
It sits
over the processor’s conveyor and can be retrofitted into new or existing
production lines as a result of its compact size, said the company.
The
technology employed in the CanCheK system is unique,
according to the manufacturer, and offers several advantages over the single
beam method employed in conventional X-ray equipment.
“CanCheK utilises a split beam
method where the two beams are arranged at angles in order to eliminate blind
areas at the edges of the can,” said a
spokesperson for the company.
In
traditional vertical beam inspection systems, said Mettler Toledo, contaminants lying next to the
sidewalls or flat on the bottom of the can are extremely difficult to identify
whereas because of the angle of the beams in the CanChek
system contaminants are pulled away from the sidewalls, thus increasing
visibility in the X-ray image and detection
probability.
Automatic
rejection
The
detection system also automatically rejects any cans containing foreign bodies
such as metal, glass, stone and bone, which the company claims optimises quality and safety and avoids costly and brand
damaging recalls.
“A
high speed short stroke pusher device is used to nudge the can from the
production line onto a parallel reject conveyor,” explained the spokesperson.
Detection
speed
According
to the manufacturer, the CanCheK system uses a high
speed computer processor to ensure that each can is scanned and checked in
fewer than 50 milliseconds.
“This
equates to a throughput of 1,200 cans per minute. Also, the scanning speed of
the sensor is capable of working at line speeds of up to 120 metres per minute with a minimal gap between cans,” said the spokesperson.
Extra
capabilities
The
company said the new system is also capable of measuring mass and check fill
levels.
“Mass
is achieved by using a known weight can and setting this as the reference
point, effectively achieving a mass calibration. The can itself is not included
in the mass calculation, so only the product inside is measured. This optimises the accuracy of the check,” claims the spokesperson.
It said
that the fill level is achieved by placing a vertical measurement axis over the
image.
Holistic
system
The
company said that the CanCheK system can also detect
missing or damaged products, thus providing processors with a holistic
inspection system.
“If
some of the contents are missing, either fill level or mass will recognise this by detecting a ‘low fill’ level or a ‘low
mass’ level. A damaged (dented) can will typically appear as contamination, due
to the dented or creased area having a higher density than the rest of the
can,” said the spokesperson.
The firm
added that as downtime and changeover times are also kept to a minimum on the CanCheK through ease of set up and operation, an overall
low cost of ownership is achieved.
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