High-Precision Contaminant Detection for Rigid Container Applications
MPI’s Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-Ray Inspector is purpose-built to detect hard-to-see contaminants in rigid, dense, or opaque packaging, including glass jars, metal cans, plastic bottles, and composite containers. Unlike conventional metal detectors, which struggle with foil-lined or conductive packaging, this X-ray system penetrates the container to identify foreign objects like glass shards, metal fragments, stones, bones, and dense plastics with exceptional accuracy.
The system uses advanced vertical and side-view dual-beam technology to inspect the entire container, including the base and sidewalls, where contaminants often settle undetected. It also supports mass estimation, fill level checks, and closure verification to protect brand quality and product safety further.
Engineered for high-speed production environments such as food, beverage, nutraceutical, and pet food processing, MPI’s rigid container X-ray system features a compact footprint, hygienic stainless construction, and intelligent inspection software—all designed to reduce recalls, ensure compliance, and maintain throughput.
Benefits of the Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-Ray Inspector From Magnetic Products, Inc
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Specialized for Rigid Containers
Detects contaminants in glass jars, metal cans, composite containers, and thick plastic bottles where traditional inspection methods are ineffective due to packaging opacity or base curvature.
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Vertical and Side-View Dual Beam Technology
Inspects containers from multiple angles simultaneously to ensure comprehensive detection, especially at the container’s base and along sidewalls—typical settling points for glass shards or metal slivers.
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Wide Range of Contaminant Detection
Identifies glass-in-glass, metal, bone, stone, ceramic, dense rubber, and plastic contaminants—even in difficult-to-inspect products like viscous sauces, oils, pastes, or opaque beverages.
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Inline Fill Level and Mass Checks
In addition to foreign object detection, the system can estimate product mass, detect overfill or underfill, and flag missing or improperly seated lids, caps, or seals—combining safety and quality control in one unit.
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High-Speed Throughput
Engineered for continuous inspection at speeds up to 600 containers per minute, supporting high-output canning and bottling lines without becoming a bottleneck.
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Compact, Washdown-Ready Construction
Compact, hygienic stainless-steel design with IP65+ or IP69K-rated enclosures ensures easy integration into existing lines and meets sanitation requirements in food and beverage environments.
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Reject System Integration with Full Traceability
Works with customizable reject systems (air blast, pusher, diverter) and logs each rejection event—including product image, timestamp, and reason—supporting full audit trail compliance for regulated industries.
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User-Friendly Interface with Smart Setup
Touchscreen HMI offers auto-learn setup, multi-product recipes, and intuitive tools for masking dense package features (like lid ribs or bottle shoulders) to minimize false rejects.
Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-Ray Inspector Product Details
The Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-ray inspector uses focused X-ray beams and intelligent imaging software to identify unwanted foreign objects inside rigid containers, especially those that block light or electromagnetic fields, making traditional inspection methods ineffective.
Product Infeed and Timing
Rigid containers are fed single-file onto the inspection conveyor via a spacing mechanism. A photo eye or encoder ensures each unit is properly timed for inspection.
X-Ray Imaging
- As each container enters the X-ray tunnel:
- Dual X-ray beams (typically vertical and side-oriented) scan the container through its base and sidewalls.
- The beams penetrate dense product and packaging, revealing material density variations that suggest contaminants.
Image Processing and Analysis
- Real-time image data is captured by high-resolution detectors and analyzed using software that:
- Highlights foreign materials based on contrast and shape
- Ignores expected features like embossed logos or curved container geometry
- Identifies fill anomalies, missing lids, or misalignments
Automatic Reject Mechanism
- If contamination or a quality issue is detected:
- The system triggers a reject mechanism (e.g., air blast, pusher, drop gate)
- The defective container is diverted from the production line and logged for review
Data Logging and Compliance Support
All inspection data—including X-ray images, container ID, time stamp, and rejection reason—is stored locally or networked to your QA system for traceability, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance.
Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-Ray Inspector Specification Table
US Customary Units
| MODEL FEATURE | XRAY SHARK® XBD40 |
|---|---|
| X-Ray Source | Single beam x-ray generator with max. 120kV (400W), Beam shoots sideways through the product Variable in voltage + current, integrated closed oil cooling circuit |
| Cooling | Highly efficient, silent DC filter fans |
| X-Ray Detector | low noise line scan CCD, diode pitch 0.8 mm |
| Radiation Leakage | 3 µSv/h or less @ 10cm outside cabinet surfaces |
| Safety | Special product tunnel, Magnetic safety switches at cabinet doors and tunnel hatches, emergency stop push button, Emergency stop in/out interfaces to safety circuits of production line, x-ray off key switch, PILZ safety circuit |
| Housing Finish | Stainless steel grade AISI 304 / ISO 1.4301 (CrNi 18/10) |
| Degree of Protection | IP54 (according to IEC 60529), including touch panel and fans, product tunnel: IP66 |
| Conveyor Type | Modular Chain Link Belt, Stainless Steel |
| Conveyor Speed | Conveyor speed by product, 0,3 to 0,8 m/sec (7 fixed speed steps) |
| Flow Rate | Max. 100 pieces per minute |
| Max. Product Dimensions | Max. 150mm Ø x 250 mm Height |
| Product Memory | 250 different product set-ups |
| Display | 17“ Color-TFT capacitive Touchscreen |
| Inspection Features | Auto Calibration, Auto adaption to density distribution, Density, Hard Contrast, Soft Contrast, Masking Technology, SuperContrast, SizeFilter, AutoEdge, Images AutoSave/Load, Multi Segment Inspection, Metal Foil inspection, Fill Quantity, Generator Energy by Product, Password protection |
| In/Outputs | Programmable outputs (contamination, ready, Emergency Stop) Programmable inputs (Emergency Stop, wake up, optional control signals) |
| Data Transfer and Reporting | Ethernet for remote support via internet USB for external keyboard/ mouse/ memory stick |
| Other Features | Direct variable conveyor speed by product, Intel Core i, MultiCore CPU, Win OS |
| Supplied Test Equipment | Certified test cards with soda lime glass, ceramics, steel spheres in various diameters |
| Available Accessories | Radiation counter, SHARKNET® data management software, pusher systems |
| Weight | 0,9 t |
| Electrical Connections | 400VAC/3~+N (or 220-240 VAC, depending on Options), 50-60 Hz, ext. Fuse C16A |
| Compressed Air Supply | Without reject system 0 (zero)bar With optional reject system minimum 4 bar |
| Enviornmental Conditions | 0 to +30 ° C, with relative humidity max 90% non-condensing Optional: Additional cooling device, for ambient temperature up to 45° C or high humidity environments |
| Conformity | CE, compliant to German x-ray regulations, specific adaptation for other countries |
Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-Ray Inspector Installations & Variations
Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-Ray Inspector for Foil-Lined and Conductive Packaging
Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-Ray Inspector Used in Plastic Packaging for Inline Fill Level and Mass Checks
Glass, Jar, and Can Line X-Ray Inspector for High-Speed Throughput Application