X-Ray Inspection Machine Suppliers & Manufacturers

What x-ray inspection detects and its applications

X-ray inspection systems detect foreign bodies and defects in food and other products by generating x-ray images of packages as they pass on a conveyor. Dense objects that absorb more x-ray energy appear darker in the image; the inspection software compares the image against reference images to identify contaminants. X-ray inspection detects: metal contaminants (ferrous, non-ferrous, stainless steel — x-ray detects all metals regardless of package material, including metallised film and aluminium foil, where metal detectors fail); glass — detectable at fragments above approximately 3–5mm depending on glass density and product type; bone — calcified bone detectable in meat, fish, and poultry (bone detection is a key application for x-ray in processed meat); dense plastic (hard plastic, acrylic, some rubber) detectable above approximately 5mm; stone and grit in grain, pulse, and dried produce products. X-ray inspection also enables: fill level inspection — verifying that a can, jar, or bottle contains the correct fill volume; missing component detection — confirming that all components (sachets, inserts, caps) are present in a multipack; mass measurement — calculating the product mass from the x-ray absorption data, as a supplement or alternative to a checkweigher; seal integrity — checking for gross seal defects or foreign material in the seal area. X-ray inspection is particularly required for: products in aluminium foil (foil trays, foil-lidded containers, metallised film) where metal detectors are ineffective; applications where glass, bone, or non-metallic contamination is a known hazard; products requiring combined contaminant detection and mass measurement in one unit.

Machine configurations, GFSI requirements, and sourcing

X-ray inspection machines for food and packaging are available in conveyor-based systems for packaged products (the standard configuration for end-of-line inspection) and pipeline x-ray systems for bulk product streams before packaging. Conveyor x-ray systems pass packages under or between x-ray sources and detectors; the x-ray image is captured by a linear array detector and processed in milliseconds for reject decisions. Systems are available for a wide range of pack sizes: small systems for sachets and small retail packs (aperture 200mm × 100mm); standard systems for food retail packs (aperture 600mm × 300mm); large systems for catering packs, whole birds, and outer cases. Output speeds: 60–300+ packs per minute depending on pack length and system configuration. GFSI food safety scheme requirements: BRCGS Issue 9 (2022), FSSC 22000 v6, SQF Edition 9, and other GFSI schemes require that physical contaminant hazards are controlled at CCPs. Where glass, bone, or non-metallic contaminants are identified as significant hazards in the HACCP study, x-ray inspection (rather than metal detection alone) is typically required. Buyers must confirm the specific requirements of their food safety scheme and customer requirements. Key suppliers: Mettler Toledo (Safeline), Minebea Intec, Ishida, Anritsu, Sesotec, and various Chinese manufacturers offering lower-cost systems for standard food applications. When sourcing, specify: product type, pack format and dimensions, required contaminant detection performance (metal, glass, bone, plastic — minimum detectable sizes), required line speed, and whether mass measurement is required.

Frequently asked questions