Technologies | X-ray 101 | SimulTask 4.0 | MDX Technology

X-ray 101 How x-ray works

How this system works: A conveyor belt carries your product through a fan shaped beam of X-ray and the detector diodes are rapidly scanned sequentially. This produces a raster image that is sent via interface to the internal computer where software algorithms are applied and decisions made. If the decision is made that the product contains a defect, then an appropriate signal is generated and the reject mechanism is signaled. *No radioactive substance is ever present.

Gray Scale and 3D Imaging
The following is an example of the X-ray inspection process and is analyzed by the SimulTask imaging software.

The gray scale image produced is a video representation of the spatial density information acquired by the computer. This line-by-line information is laid side by side to build a raster image (much like a television image) and is displayed in shades of gray.
The picture is made up of the energy information from each of the diodes in a scan, and this data is retained in a very large buffer that holds the information from many successive scans (enough to fully cover the product being inspected).
The photo to the right will help in understanding this principle.
In this process, the product (prepared meal) is X-rayed and the density values are displayed on the monitor as a gray scale image (center image).
This image can then be converted to a three-dimensional density plot giving shape and volume to the image. The magnitude of the vertical dimension is proportional to the “grayness” of the respective portions of the image, and thus is representative of the area density at any given point on the product.

Photo: Frozen Dinner with compartments

Utilizing x-ray inspection technology on your production line can eliminate costly recalls, public relations nightmares and save on high labor expenses that can cost thousands. With x-ray inspection, there is never a reason to close down your inspection line: the EagleTM systems are fully functional 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The EagleTM X-ray inspection systems inspect packaged products in the following areas: check-weighing, metal detection, foreign objects, size, shape and can automatically reject defective items from the product line.

X-ray 101: Evaluating your need for x-ray
Evaluating your need for X-Ray Product Inspection
1. Start by quantifying the following problems:

foreign object complaints
missing/inadequate product complaints (real or perceived)
defective packaging complaints
misshapen/deformed product
flavor lumps or agglomerates
wrong product count in package
wrong mix of product components (i.e., raisins in cereal)
promised premium missing from carton
product placed wrong in carton
fill level of sub-component not correct wrong chemical lean value of meat

2. Once you have quantified these, then consult with us to determine how many of these (or let's say what percentage) complaints x-ray could prevent.

3. Calculate a cost for of these defects. It is well accepted that there are consumer monetary complaint costs, but there are also likely severe market position costs as well. Try to attach a value to each of the complaint categories.

Note: The number of complaints per "dead rat" (figurative term only) in a package will be much higher than say a lump of caramel in a cereal box! Do remember, however, that for every complaint that is not a "dead rat" type that the number of complaints that you don't hear about is likely very much higher. That is to say that for every "caramel lump" complaint, you likely have 100 to 1000 times more incidences of this being shipped than you realize.

sdfsadfasfsSimulTask 4.0
Smiths Detection's fifth generation image analysis software is the basis for our reliable "set and forget" line of X-ray inspection systems.
SimulTask 4.0 has a large number of new options and near unlimited flexibility. The user interface is fully customizable to allow each of the 4 operator login-levels access rights only to those functions essential to their tasks. Each operator's access rights are can be set by the next higher operator-level.

Product set-up and selection process can be accomplished manually or dynamically
Full multi-lane capability
Statistics and reports are stored in an easily-accessible repository
Statistics can be viewed live and in real time
Verification mode allows quality personnel to maintain compliance with HACCP requirements

With the introduction of SimulTask 4.0, Smiths Detection continues to lead the field in x-ray product inspection technology. With its unlimited flexibility, robust image analysis tools, and ease of use, SimulTask 4.0 will allow customers the ability to inspect their products for quality, weight and foreign materials faster, easier and more reliably than ever before.

We can even bring a live demonstration of SimulTask 4.0 right to you, allowing you to see for yourself the impressive tools this latest software innovation offers.

Smiths Detection Introduces...
MDX Technology
X-ray inspection has led the field in providing expanded inspection capabilities for years. Now Smiths Detection introduces its latest x-ray innovation, MDX Technology. MDX Technology enhances traditional x-ray inspection to allow detection of materials previously unseen by x-ray or any other conventional means.

MDX (Material Discrimination X-ray) uses technology pioneered by Smiths Detection for use in the security sector. MDX Technology's ability to discriminate materials by their chemical composition (atomic number) allows detection and rejection of historically undetectable inorganic contaminants such as glass shards, rocks, rubber, and plastic. (Plastic detection is dependent on plastic types and requires actual product testing.)

This ability is especially valuable in difficult or "busy" images which contain high variations in image density. The following image is a bag of frozen potatoes containing pieces of two rubber grommets.

The picture on the left is a traditional x-ray image. As you can see, the varying density of the product image makes it impossible to isolate the contaminants based on traditional x-ray methods. The image to the right uses MDX Technology to easily distinguish the rubber grommets from the product.