Thermo Fisher X-rays kill dreaded product waste

Bob Ries, lead product manager for Thermo Fisher Scientific, told FoodProductionDaily.com that the company's X-ray-based contamination detection solutions aid food processors in avoiding wasted product and time, both of which are murder to a processing operation.

"Manufacturers hate scrap, and they hate rework, so the sooner you find the problems and reject the material, or shut down the line and figure out the root cause of the problem, the better​," he said.

Thermo Fisher Scientific demonstrated its NextGuard X-ray detection equipment, partnered with a checkweigher, in its booth at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2013. Ries pointed out that X-ray edges out conventional magnetic metal detection because it won't be tripped up by metallized packaging, confounded by conductive foods (like ice cream) or stymied by non-metal objects (such as plastic or glass).

All of the detection equipment Thermo Fisher Scientific offers is fully automated, with advanced reporting capabilities, Ries said. He added that the systems are easy to use, and easily customized to fit a particular operation's need.

"We give them flexible ways to use the data​," he said. "No two customers are alike​."

Watch the video above to get the full scoop on Thermo Fisher Scientific's contamination detection technology.