Ishida Europe (United Kingdom) - Press Release: Ishida Europe is launching its next generation IX-G2 dual energy X-ray inspection system which offers significantly enhanced sensitivities for the detection of low-density and difficult to spot foreign bodies, including bone.

The Ishida IX-G2-F incorporates a new line sensor that provides a high-quality X-ray image through an enhanced signal to noise ratio which has increased the ability to detect bone fragments by a factor of four compared with previous X-ray models. This further increases the ability of the machine to identify contaminants, in particular when handling thicker and denser products such as chicken fillets, chicken breasts and a wide range of poultry products where they can often be overlapped or presented with uneven surfaces.

The enhanced sensitivity of the machine also greatly reduces the risk of false detections, which helps to maximise throughput and avoids the costs associated with unnecessary waste and the repacking of products.

The high performance of the IX-G2-F is supported by Ishida’s unique self-learning Genetic Algorithm (GA) technology which combines with the new line sensor to deliver maximum detection sensitivity and reliability.

The GA technology focuses the X-ray machine to identify difficult to detect contaminants with a high degree of accuracy, even at high throughput rates, using image data analysis over a number of trial runs. As it is common in food production for similar contamination problems to recur, data logging can help to build up a more precise calibration protocol with each trial. This enables permanent or recurring defects to be easily identified during the inspection process.

Ishida’s dual energy technology incorporates two line sensors, one which takes images at high energy and one at low energy. These are then compared, which provides a better overall image of the product with a clearer contrast between the product and any low-density foreign bodies, such as bone fragments.

“The next generation IX-G2-F X-ray inspection system offers unrivalled performance and with its improved line sensor and software capabilities it has already delivered significant benefits on production lines,” comments Sibtain Naqvi, Ishida Europe’s X-ray Product Manager.

“The enhanced sensitivity provides poultry processors with even greater reassurance that their high product quality standards are being maintained, and by minimising the number of false rejects, production can be maximised. We believe our IX-G2-F models represent another major advance in our X-ray inspection portfolio.”