SimulTask PRO, an x-ray analysis software tool produced by Eagle Product Inspection, is an image analysis product that checks for contaminants, defects, and other issues inside closed packages. The product also monitors for seal integrity, fill level, weight, and component count.
Maintaining a balance
Eagle Product Inspection representative Simon King told FoodProductionDaily balancing safety and cost effectiveness is a prime concern for food operations.
“The question of how to manage production line costs without compromising product quality and safety is foremost in our industry,” he said. “Sending out substandard products is damaging to food manufacturers because of the time and expense involved in product recalls, potential harm to consumers, and loss of brand reputation; in fact, the loss of sales due to bad product is often much greater than organization’s realize.”
King said the various inspection technologies handled by the software can increase food managers’ confidence in the quality, safety, and integrity of the product they ship to their customers. Additionally, the product reportedly increases overall equipment efficiency and effectiveness better than similar products.
Defect checks
The software can simultaneously x-ray different products in various packaging formats and sizes. It checks for a wide range of contaminants, including metal, glass, bone fragments, dense plastics, and other matter.
The SimulTask PRO also facilitates weighing of separate compartments within a package, such as the entrees and sides inside a ready-meal container. It can automatically remove packages with contaminants or falling outside preset weight parameters.
The software uses an interface designed to simplify operation. Users can access and generate reports detailing product weights, number of products inspected, figures on rejects, and summaries of the different types of contaminants, allowing compliance with HACCP and other standards.