--- title: X Ray Inspection Information | PLAN Automation description: Understand how x ray inspection works and evaluate your need for x ray inspection technology. --- - [![flag-am-can-1](https://www.planautomation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/flag-am-can-1.jpg?width=55&name=flag-am-can-1.jpg "flag-am-can-1")](https://www.planautomation.com/) - [![French](https://www.planautomation.com/hs-fs/hub/20929/file-507216172.jpg)](https://www.planautomation.com/fr/accueil/) [![](https://www.planautomation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cobrandlogo.png?width=946&height=150&name=cobrandlogo.png)](https://www.planautomation.com)   # X-RAY INSPECTION SYSTEMS - X-RAY 101 [BACK TO KNOWLEDGE BASE](https://www.planautomation.com/manufacturers/x-ray-inspection-knoledge-base/) ![X-ray 101](https://www.planautomation.com/hs-fs/file-13413463-jpg/images/x-ray_101_-_learn2.jpg?width=222&height=140&name=x-ray_101_-_learn2.jpg)Utilizing x-ray inspection technology on your production line can eliminate costly recalls, public relations nightmares and save on high labor expenses that can cost thousands. With X-ray inspection, there is never a reason to close down your inspection line: the **EAGLE** systems are fully functional 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The **EAGLE** X-ray inspection systems inspect packaged products in the following areas: check-weighing, metal detection, foreign objects, size, shape and can automatically reject defective items from the product line. For more information please do not hesitate to [contact us](https://www.planautomation.com/let-one-of-our-product-inspection-specialist-help-you/). We are here to help!   [![Click me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20929/fa6951e6-7c03-4e75-85e6-277572e3e2f1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20929/fa6951e6-7c03-4e75-85e6-277572e3e2f1) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ## X-ray 101: Evaluating your need for X-ray Inspection 1. Start by quantifying the following problems: 2. Once you have quantified these, then consult with us to determine how many of these (or let's say what percentage) complaints x-ray could prevent. 3. Calculate a cost for of these defects. It is well accepted that there are consumer monetary complaint costs, but there are also likely severe market position costs as well. Try to attach a value to each of the complaint categories. **Please Note: **The number of complaints per "dead rat" (figurative term only) in a package will be much higher than say a lump of caramel in a cereal box! Do remember, however, that for every complaint that is not a "dead rat" type that the number of complaints that you don't hear about is likely very much higher. That is to say that for every "caramel lump" complaint, you likely have 100 to 1000 times more incidences of this being shipped than you realize. ***_______________________________________________________________________________________________________* ## **X-ray 101: How x-ray works** ## ![X-ray how it works](https://www.planautomation.com/hs-fs/file-13412558-jpg/images/how_xray_works_small.jpg) How this system works: A conveyor belt carries your product through a fan shaped beam of X-ray and the detector diodes are rapidly scanned sequentially. This produces a raster image that is sent via interface to the internal computer where software algorithms are applied and decisions made. If the decision is made that the product contains a defect, then an appropriate signal is generated and the reject mechanism is signaled. *No radioactive substance is ever present. *_______________________________________________________________________________________________________* ## **Gray Scale and 3D Imaging![Grey scale X-ray image](https://www.planautomation.com/hs-fs/file-13413190-gif/images/tv-dinner-x-ray-image.gif)** The following is an example of the X-ray inspection process and is analyzed by the SimulTask imaging software. **SimulTask Image Anakysis: **Carefully examine the image to the right. Using this image, the computer makes a number of decisions, some of which use direct logic (reject if a contaminant is detected), and some of which use reverse logic (reject if count is incorrect or improper weight). This product is checked for foreign objects, proper item count (independent of weight), and the drink product is weighed for volume independent of the effects of the rest of the package. This demonstrates many of the features that cannot be done with conventional technology. Conventional metal detectors and check weighers cannot provide this reliable inspection because:  1. The metal detector cannot detect nonmetallic particulates, and furthermore is unable to effectively monitor due to the metal-foil covering on the meal. 2. The check weigher cannot reliably detect (for example) the absence of one bun because the package weight varies more than that due to the variability of the weight of the pickles.  **Results:** *_______________________________________________________________________________________________________* [BACK TO KNOWLEDGE BASE](https://www.planautomation.com/manufacturers/x-ray-inspection-knoledge-base/) ### Free Resources [![How Safe is X Ray Inspection of Food Whitepaper -Plan Automation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20929/d494e8d5-7e73-45b5-82bf-72b3a9e0559d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20929/d494e8d5-7e73-45b5-82bf-72b3a9e0559d) [![X-ray, More Than Just Foreign Body Detection - Plan Automation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20929/11326cb1-483f-48f7-ade0-1afb432e6d8c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20929/11326cb1-483f-48f7-ade0-1afb432e6d8c) ### Contact Us [![X-ray contact us](https://www.planautomation.com/hs-fs/file-13412291-jpg/images/contact-us.jpg?width=163&height=106&name=contact-us.jpg)](https://www.planautomation.com/let-one-of-our-product-inspection-specialist-help-you/) Let the **PLAN Automation** team support you through all of your **Food Safety Initiatives**. With over 100 years of combined packaging automation experience, the experts at **PLAN Automation** are here to help. [Click Here](https://www.planautomation.com/let-one-of-our-product-inspection-specialist-help-you/) to contact our X-ray Product Inspection Specialist. ### EAGLE PI [![Eagle X-ray Inspection](https://www.planautomation.com/hs-fs/file-13412390-jpg/images/eagle_logo_birds_product_inspection.jpg?width=150&height=74&name=eagle_logo_birds_product_inspection.jpg)](https://www.planautomation.com/manufacturers/Eagle-x-ray-inspection2/) The ***EAGLE*** Product Inspection line of X-ray inspection systems evaluates your product for contaminants such as metal, glass, stone and bone. By installing ***EAGLE*** Systems in your process you can be assured that you meet today’s ***HACCP ***requirements and that you and your customers are well protected. But in addition to contaminant detection, our X-ray inspection systems also have the ability to check-weigh, evaluate compartmentalized fill level and fat analysis.... [Learn More](https://www.planautomation.com/manufacturers/Eagle-x-ray-inspection2/) -   © 2025 Plan Automation | All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.planautomation.com/privacy-policy)