Eagle^TM FA3/M Inline Fat Measurement And Contaminant Detection Of Mixed Bulk (Bulk And Frozen Block) And Plastic Crate Applications

The FA3/M multi-application system provides inline fat measurement and contaminant detection for fresh, chilled, frozen and hot-boned loose bulk, frozen or tempered (“naked”) meat blocks and unwrapped meat conveyed in plastic crates.

The FA3/M uses Eagle’s 3rd generation refinement of Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) measurement technology based on the innovative and proven-superior single-beam geometry. The FA3/M uses DEXA to discriminate between fat and lean portions of 100% of product throughput, providing Chemical Lean (CL) measurements to better than +/- 1CL accuracy on all meat products.

The FA3/M measures weight and detects contaminants such as metals, glass, calcified bones, and stones using SimulTask™ PRO - Eagle’s advanced imaging software. Contaminants are highlighted within the inspection images, enabling rapid rework and reducing wasted product. It provides precise measurements at the highest throughputs in the industry: up to 2,400 plastic crates or frozen blocks per hour, or up to 35 tons/hour of bulk meat. The FA3/M performs all of these measurements and inspections simultaneously, with no degradation in performance at full throughput.

The FA3/M employs UPSHOTTM compact x-ray imaging geometry, further improving on Eagle’s single beam design. Unlike other x-ray systems, UPSHOT enables the meat to be scanned from the bottom, with detectors over the product. This enables closer placement of the x-ray source and detectors to the product, further enhancing contaminant detection and measurement precision, while also enabling the smallest factory floor footprint in the industry.