XE Economical X-Ray Inspection Systems

XE economical x-ray systems are designed for the inspection of low-format products in most packaging types, and can inspect products up to 6” in height and 15” in width . The XE series provides exceptional performance for those products that would traditionally be metal detected, but cannot be due to metallic packaging or high product effect caused by the nature of the product.

The XE series is specifically designed for applications that don’t require the higher power of other x-ray systems. For many food products, great inspection sensitivities can be achieved with the XE’s standard power and configuration, and using a stronger, more expensive system would have minimal impact on performance.

Use these systems to detect down to 0.5mm metal and 2.0mm glass – they’re ideal for manufacturers looking to incorporate the superior performance of x-ray technology, without any unnecessary modifications. To find out exactly what sensitivities the XE series can achieve on your specific product, TDI Packsys offers no-obligation validation testing where we can simulate the inspection of your product on a variety of different systems. 

The use of x-ray inspection is incredibly safe. Ambient x-ray emissions are less than 1 microsievert per hour, well below FDA standards. Both software and hardware are equipped with extensive safeguards, which constantly inspect the machine’s state, and prevent accidental emissions caused by operator error or system malfunction. For example, if the operator accidentally opens an access panel during operation, x-ray generation is stopped immediately. All TDI Packsys x-rays are FDA certified, and are compliant with all UK, EU and FDA regulations to ensure safe use. Radiation from TDI Packsys x-rays is produced by an electronic generator, rather than a radioactive material, which means there is no radiation being produced when the system is not running. During operation, radiation levels produced are incredibly low, and our intelligent body design and use of protective curtains in the product tunnel keep radiation to less than 1/5th the FDA allowable limit. Products inspected by x-ray systems remained unaltered after inspection, and are 100% safe for use or consumption. With the numerous safety features and redundancies, operating an x-ray inspection system is 100% safe for both people and products.

X-ray inspection systems work by producing beams of high frequency electromagnetic radiation (x-rays) in a generator. These beams are then directed at a desired target, which will absorb some of the rays while allowing others to pass through. On the opposite side of the target from the generator sits a detector which then reads the EM waves that make it through the target.

The higher the density/larger the size of the product, the less radiation will pass through. The result is an image produced by the detector which details the high and low density areas throughout the target. This is the same principle seen when making shadow puppets on a wall. Some light is blocked by the puppet, and the resulting shadow gives detail on the shape of the puppet. With x-rays, that detail is also internal.

The main difference between metal detectors and x-ray inspection systems is in the methodology of how each machine inspects for foreign materials. Metal detection relies on conductivity to locate stainless, ferrous and non-ferrous metals in product, while x-ray uses density differences between the product and foreign bodies to perform inspection. X-ray technology allows for a far greater range of foreign materials to be detected, including metal, glass, stone, bone, rubber, gasket (both metal detectable and non-metal detectable), plastic, and various other mid and high-density items. As a general rule of thumb, x-ray inspection systems are able to detect contaminants at a much smaller size than metal detectors.

Some products are limited by their composition and packaging with which inspection systems can be used. Products with metallic packaging, such as those with metallized foil, cannot be accurately inspected with a metal detector, and require the use of an x-ray system. The best way to determine which option is best for your application is to receive a consultation or free, no-obligation validation testing. We can test your exact product on a variety of different systems using certified test cards, or foreign material samples you provide, to offer you a formal report on the capabilities and expected performance of each type of technology. At TDI Packsys, we believe validation testing on your specific products is an integral step in choosing the right system for your needs.

No PPE is required to be worn while operating x-ray inspection systems from TDI Packsys. The use of lead lining and protective curtains in the x-ray mitigates radiation from the generator, allowing only a fraction of the radiation used in inspection to exit the system. The FDA regulates these systems, and has set a standard of 5 μSv/hour as the safe level of radiation. X-ray systems from TDI Packsys emit doses of less than 1 μSv an hour, well below the FDA allowable limit. Every day, we are exposed to background radiation naturally produced by the sun and various environmental factors. Each year, the average person is exposed to 2,400 μSv of this background radiation, a higher dose than you would get standing next to an active x-ray inspection system for more than 3 months straight.

Food products inspected by x-ray remain unchanged. Because the radiation used in x-ray inspection systems is comparatively low to the natural background radiation found in every setting, there is no change to the nature of the product during x-ray inspection. There is also no possibility of the product itself becoming radioactive. The process by which stable compounds become radioactive is known as activation, and can only be caused by neutron radiation, a specific type of radiation that isn’t used for x-ray inspection. The type of radiation used by x-ray inspection systems is actually a type of light, with a wavelength longer than the visible light we are able to see. Because of this, exposure to the x-rays inside an inspection system is similar to taking a photo with the flash on: the product is quickly illuminated, but remains completely the same once the exposure is finished.

X-ray systems from TDI Packsys are able to detect a range of materials in clean products, including stainless steel, ferrous metal, nonferrous metal, glass, ceramic, stones, bone, rubber, gasket (both metal detectable and non), plastics, and some organic materials. The exact size and range of materials able to be detected by x-ray varies by product type and specific process, and our formal no-obligation validation test is the best way to determine what is possible for your products. TDI Packsys consistently detects materials and sizes that other vendors cannot. For more information on what can be detected in your process, contact us for a free consultation or a validation test.

While all x-ray equipment utilizes the same advanced technology to inspect products, the actual components used and the size of the equipment has a significant impact on the price of the x-ray system. Stronger generators, higher configuration detectors, and more advanced software will all increase the cost of an x-ray system. For products that are low format and don’t need the same power as other, denser packages, TDI Packsys proudly offers our XE series of economical x-rays that start around $38,000. These systems, while being economically priced, still offer exceptional sensitivities on all the same foreign material types as our other x-ray systems. Like all industrial equipment, if specific construction is required to raise the IP rating for washdown environments, or to modify the integration of the system, you can expect to see a marginal increase in price. The easiest way to determine exactly how much the right x-ray system would cost for your specific application is to contact us for a no-obligation consultation and system proposal.