Eagle offers sharper X-ray inspection

Eagle’s strategic business unit manager Kyle Thomas told Globalmeatnews.com​ that the new Pack 550 Pro was designed to fill the gap between its smaller Pack 430 Pro and larger Pack 720 Pro X-ray machines, and was suitable for mid- to large-sized bulk packaged food items.

The machine has the same capabilities as the company’s other X-ray systems, with the ability to count components, check seal integrity, measure mass and assess fill levels. It also features improved technology, including an enhanced graphical interface, high-speed imaging, increased contaminant detection, full multi-lane and multi-view capabilities and dynamic belt adjustments.

Thomas added that processors had the option to integrate Eagle’s new Material X-ray (MDX) technology, which makes it easier to detect contaminants such as glass, shards, rocks, rubber and plastics in foods with a high level of product density.

“Our MDX technology cleans up X-ray images and allows you to differentiate between organic and inorganic materials in foods with high levels of product density, which make traditional X-ray images busy and hard to interpret,”​ he explained.

The new MDX technology will be rolled out across Eagle’s product range.

Thomas said Eagle had also developed new validation software for its chemical lean inspection systems. He explained the software provided verification that accurate chemical lean values were being recorded with minimal disruption to production.

“It gives manufacturers the ability to validate their system more frequently without the penalty of downtime," ​he said.

Eagle recently completed a rebrand, which was unveiled in May at IFFA 2013 in Frankfurt. Thomas said the company wanted its branding “to be more representative of the complexion of the company”,​ reflecting both its history as an innovator in X-ray inspection, and its modern edge.