In the production of powdered seasonings (such as pepper, chili powder, and five-spice powder), since the raw materials are predominantly harvested in open fields and naturally sun-dried, they are highly susceptible to contamination by non-metallic foreign objects—such as pebbles and grit.
Prior to adopting the side-view X-ray inspection machine, the client faced the following critical challenges: traditional metal detectors are capable of rejecting only metal fragments, yet are completely ineffective against high-density non-metallic foreign objects—such as tiny pebbles, glass shards, and ceramic debris—that may be commingled within powdered products. Since seasonings are typically used directly in cooking, should consumers discover pebbles or glass in their food, the client would face an extremely high risk of liability claims and a severe crisis of brand trust.
Following on-site material testing, we custom-designed a specialized X-ray foreign object detection system for bottled products, which was installed within the finished product conveying section immediately following the powder canning process.
When X-rays penetrate materials, foreign objects such as stones, glass, and metal—due to their significantly higher density compared to powdered spices—appear as high-contrast dark spots in the X-ray images. The system operates independently of variations in powder color or thickness, directly targeting the intrinsic nature of foreign contaminants. Its algorithms automatically recognize and adapt to changes in the bottles and jars moving along the conveyor belt, triggering alerts exclusively for high-density foreign objects. The system is capable of precisely detecting stones or glass fragments as small as 1.0 mm in diameter, as well as metal wires as fine as 0.3 mm (such as broken wires from sieves). Designed with a fully enclosed, dust-proof structure to withstand harsh environments prone to airborne dust, the equipment features core components that meet the IP65 protection standard.
Following the system's launch, the rate of consumer complaints stemming from "foreign objects jarring the teeth" dropped directly to zero.
Comprehensive X-ray image storage and log traceability capabilities enabled the client to successfully pass the rigorous supplier audits of major international restaurant chains (such as KFC and McDonald's), securing substantial orders.
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