The flexibility and versatility of Ishida x-ray inspection technology has provided solution for the quality control requirements of international food company Hügli’s factory in Zàsmuky in the Czech Republic.
In particular, the two Ishida IX-GA-4075 x-ray models have been specially adapted in order to handle small size packs of around 10-15 g of dehydrated products including soups, sauces, seasonings and rice meals.
Hügli found that their light weight bags would not pass consistently through the curtains which meant it was not possible to reliably inspect or guarantee correct rejection of contaminated products.
The Ishida solution comprises an innovative design utilizing lightweight metal fingers in place of traditional heavy curtains. This ensures that the packs stay flat and do not move on the conveyor as they enter and exit the x-ray machine.
For Hügli the use of x-ray technology has made a huge difference to its overall production capacity. As part of the company’s quality control procedures for a leading retailer, Hügli has to carry out an hourly test to confirm its contaminant detection procedures.
Since the bags are made of aluminum foil, metal detectors can only be used before the products are packed, requiring the installation of three separate throat metal detectors after each multi-head weigher. This meant production had to be suspended while the contaminant tests were carried out – and the time this took resulted in a significant amount of lost production over a relatively short period.
“X-ray technology has made a huge difference to our quality control procedures as we needed a very flexible system in order to be able to deal efficiently with our many different product varieties and pack sizes,” explains Hügli’s production director Pavel Coufal.
Another advantage is the local support provided by Ishida’s dedicated office in the Czech Republic.
Such has been the success of the two models already installed that Hügli has now ordered a third Ishida IX-GA machine, which will be used to monitor cups containing ready meals such as pasta, rice and mashed potato.
The x-ray systems are part of a wide range of Ishida equipment installed at the Zàsmuky factory, which also includes six multihead weighers and 16 checkweighers in a relationship that dates back to 2004.
