X-ray solves a nutty problem
Avoiding hazards associated with the use of organic and natural ingredients proved a hard nut to crack for snack bar manufacturer Healthbars Unlimited.
"One of the problems associated with buying organic natural fruit, nuts and seeds is there are occasions when we find stones and other contaminants from the field," explains general manager Vince Handley.
"Some form of inspection system is vital in any food manufacturing facility, but we needed to go further than the conventional metal detector."
Minimally processed and cold pressed, the company's Shepherd Boy bars include nuts, chunks of real fruit and jumbo-sized oats, which posed specific challenges for detection specialist Cintex, especially as Healthbars had specified a small footprint for its new scanner.
The solution was a Sentry XR X-ray (right), capable of detecting ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel, glass, stones, ceramic and cement, calcified bones, high-density plastics and rubber in products such as small cakes, confectionery and bars.
The X-ray can cope with conveyor speeds of up to 90m per minute.
Contact: Cintex, Tel: 01252 893300
