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.