Loma launches new X5 X-ray Inspection System

LomaÂ’s flagship X⁵ x-ray inspection system incorporates new features which bring industry-leading levels of product integrity to the busiest of food packing lines, and peace of mind to retail suppliers. Responding to user demands for ease of cleaning and reduced maintenance, the X⁵ x-ray system has been redesigned to deliver maximum uptime in round-the-clock manufacturing sites whilst identifying and rejecting the smallest contaminants.

Retailer compliance demands the highest levels of cleanliness, and this is where the X⁵ really shines. The rounded, sloping surfaces of the system ensure that food particles and wash-down droplets cannot accumulate on its surfaces, unlike equipment with flat surfaces which can leave areas of potential contamination. Additionally impermeable seals have been added to the x-ray cabinet to prevent water ingress.

This means cleaning is both quick and effective, allowing packers to achieve significant savings in productivity whilst satisfying retailer mandates. A new tubular framework, made from high quality 304 grade stainless steel, is equally easy to clean and is robust to withstand harsh working conditions.

The new X⁵ X-ray Inspection System is powered by Windows based operation system, this allows to deliver accurate reliable product control at lines speeds of up to 90 metres per minute.

The X⁵ makes another market leading advance, benefitting from Adaptive Array Technology (AAT) which dynamically tailors resolution, depth and scaling to give the best detection performance for any product requiring inspection. AAT eliminates the previous need to specify the diode array pixel size as the X5 will adjust from 0.4mm, 0.8mm and 1.6mm to give the best detection performance for the product.

The X⁵'s touch screen has been designed and tested to IP69k, which is robust enough to survive the harshest environment and wash down specification.

This high speed operation goes hand in hand with cutting-edge inspection technology. Contaminants such as metals, glass, PVC, bone, rubber, stones and ingredient clumps are automatically detected, and the affected packs diverted from the line for investigation. Under- and over-weight packs can also be eliminated from the packing line, along with irregular and improperly packaged items and packs with incorrect content levels. Inspection data can be automatically monitored and extracted to provide an effective and reliable audit trail for each production run.

Capable of matching any line speed, the X⁵ X-ray ensures that suppliers of packaged foods and ready meals can meet the quality and consistency standards of leading retailers with confidence.

Onerous maintenance regimes can eat into production time – and into the bottom line too! Loma has solved the problem of lengthy conveyor belt changes by introducing a quick release mechanism, mounted on a gas strut for operator safety.