The line, in Nuremberg, Germany, uses two Ishida IX-GA X-ray units, one for packed products, one for raw materials. A self-learning capability allows them to detect metal fragments just 0.5mm across, compared with around 1.5mm on the previous metal detection system.
Previously, the small number of complaints typically related to fragments of nut shells, making metal detection even less appropriate. But since the installation, those complaints have fallen by a further 80%, said Ishida. To safeguard against false complaints, each pack is traceable back to its X-ray image.