I then took the various samples -pen, bandaid, bag tag, cable tie, hairnet & glove to one of our metal detectors & ran them all through the machine. (Safeline Profile metal detector).
The results were stunning. All samples were 100% detected & rejected- even the tiny little bandaid. The indicator on the screen of the detector went from green to full red bars (off the scale) showing me that it was very easily seen by the machine.
From:
Sent:19 September 2011 05:17
To: Sean R. Smith
Subject: X ray images
Hi Sean
Here are some of the images of plastic that I tested in our glass line x-ray. The results were very exciting, and quite clear images from the machine. We were able to reliably detect down to a 3mm piece. I have sent this & the presentation you sent through on to the head of quality.
These images were taken at 550 jars per minute on a Quad beam x-ray. I firstly tried the plastic in water, then on the smallest piece I actually had it in the product (Seafood sauce) to really test out the plastic's limits. Jars are 250 gram of 1.5mm wall thickness.
**Customer Feedback** Received 31/08/2011
From:
Sent: 31 August 2011 07:54
To: Sean R. Smith
Subject: Re: X ray
Hi Sean
I carried out some very brief tests of the new improved x-rayable plastic, via a chopped up pen and plastic scraper
The machine has been tied up with a technician so I haven't been able to get images but the results were fantastic for the blue plastic. The images were much stronger than the initial pen that I tested, and even the thin plastic of the scraper (2mm wide) was seen every time which was very encouraging.
A 26mm x 10mm x 2mm (scraper edge) 100% pass
B 8mm x 8mm x 10mm (end button) 100% pass
C 8mm x 8mm x 28mm (hollow tube – hence less dense) 100% pass
D 13mm x 6mm x 3mm (small clip) 100% pass
As X-Ray machines have an advantage
of over metal detectors in being able to detect a wider range of
foreign bodies - this is because the foreign body must be
significantly different from the food material in X-Ray density
in order to be detected.
So in practice an X-Ray machine
will be able to detect items such as glass, metal, stones, bone
and some denser plastics, for example PVC.
Plastic films, paper,
cardboard, wood, insects, string or fruit stones will not be picked
up!
The Line Scan System is the most
popular system to be used in food processing plants. These systems have an array of
individual sensor elements which pick up a difference in X-Ray
density. They can work at high line speeds.
Limitations which may effect
Detectamet products include :
Product packs such as glass or
metal themselves X-Ray dense, and the size, shape and orientation
of the foreign body.
Advantages include :
The ability to detect non metallic
contaminents or part such as Detectamet plastics, rubbers etc,
high sensitivity when used in conjunction with foil containers,
and the fact that they are unaffected by moisture content
(remember Detectamet products work better in a WET environment
when used in conjunction with Metal Detection Systems).
X-Ray machines are coming down in
cost and though they are still relatively expensive they are a
useful tool to have for checking batches of product when
contamination is suspected.
There are also many low tech ways
of removing foreign bodies which can be implemented into your
factory "due diligence" procedures.
All Detectamet products come in
BLUE as standard for visual recognition.
