X-Ray Inspection Systems — Weighing The Costs Of Investment
By Melissa Lind, contributing writer
The advantages of X-Ray Inspection systems far outweigh the cost differences when compared to other methods of detection, especially when consumers are demanding elevated product quality.
Many food manufacturers continue to face difficult choices in regard to which technologies to use for inspecting their products. Metal detection offers advantages in terms of ease of operation and cost savings, while X-Ray technology is more advanced, but more costly. Despite the numerous choices available, consumers are demanding that food makers use X-Ray technology to inspect the products they purchase because of its advantages not only in the range of detectable contaminants, but in quality control.
X-Ray inspection systems have the ability to detect a wide variety of food contaminants — from bones, stainless steel, and virtually all other metals, to glass and hard plastic. The technology offers additional quality control in terms of product fill, proper placement, and proper seal. This ensures that food products meet standards before leaving the facility. For most food processors and packagers, switching from old inspection systems to newer X-Ray systems is inevitable and the following benefits are a major reason why.
Automation
Modern X-Ray inspection systems are fully automated and engage smart learning processes. Given a target image, the technology can compare running scans to the target and automatically reject anything that does not match. In addition, X-Ray systems are capable of running at most speeds with potential utilization and virtually any point in the processing line. X-Ray detection can even be used to run multiple package types through the same inspection point at the same time.
Training And Ease-Of-Operation
Metal detectors are appealing, in part because they’re easy to operate. Today’s X-Ray inspection systems are highly complex and technologically advanced, but the user interface is simple. Set-up is quick and employees can be trained in a short period of time. The systems virtually run themselves and require little supervision. In fact, there are cases when implementing an X-Ray inspection system has cut down on the number of man-hours needed to run a food-processing of -packaging line.
Simple Maintenance And Repair
The days of complex machines that require highly-technical knowledge or a wait for a technician to perform maintenance are gone. Many of today’s X-Ray systems are modular, allowing for simple removal and replacement of faulty components with little training required. Employee turnover becomes less of a problem as it’s not possible to lose an equipment expert if one was never needed in the first place.
Price Point
Though X-Ray inspection systems are still more expensive than metal detection, the price gap has narrowed. In addition, the cost difference of a new X-Ray system and other detection methods can be easily made up through few man-hours required for operation and the system’s boosted line efficiency.
Diminished brand reputation and loss of consumer loyalty are immeasurable factors of a product recall. However, the average food recall costs a company nearly $10 million. Does the cost of investing in a modern inspection system outweigh the potential costs of not investing in one?