The touch-screen control
panel offers constant
feedback on operational
elements including
volume, weight and
speed.
An in-line, servo driven reject system
removes the need for compressed
air, offering potential savings of up to
£4,000 a year on running costs.
By adopting automated adjustments
and removing or minimising the need
for human intervention, manufacturers
of high-risk items (sliced meat and
cheese, frozen products and convenience
meals, etc.) benefit from a repeatable
and consistent inspection process. The
high resolution of the metal ceramic
x-ray tubes allows the Theia to detect
foreign materials with sensitivity levels
that outperform any current technology,
driving increased security and reducing
the risk of costly product recalls.
and reducing the likelihood of product
damage.
The unique concept means that every
aspect of the product handling is
transparent. Charlie comments: “Having
a clear side removes the mystery and
fear factor, especially when there’s a
stainless steel box with a big radiation
sign on the side. And, most importantly
for food manufacturers today, the
system offers fully traceable paperless
machine testing audits, making it one of
the most transparent machines on the
market today.”
DRIVING OUT FOOD WASTE
According to WRAP’s Roadmap Progress
report, between 2010 and 2016 food
waste contributed 8-10% of total manmade
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissionsiii.
And while supermarkets and households
get a lot of flack for contributing to this,
in fact producers and manufacturers
can be the biggest culprits, wasting 1.8
million tonnes, reports WRAP.
Traceability on the Theia has been
enhanced in a number of ways.
To eliminate the safety concerns
associated with x-ray systems, Sparc
recently incorporated a protective
high-density acrylic window. As a result,
food debris, product accumulations and
bottlenecks are instantly visible. Rather
than carrying on unaware, operatives
can halt production lines instantly,
slide open the doors, clear and clean
the conveyor, minimising disruption
Contaminant and weight rejects are isolated in separate lockable reject bins
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