Key Questions to Ask When Ordering precision x ray testing equipment framework

The Essential 13 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing an X-ray Inspection Machine

A blog written by Perry Alderson, Technical Services Manager at Sapphire Inspection, sharing years of expertise in guiding clients to find the ideal x-ray solution.

For further details, please visit our website.

This blog discusses the 13 questions I utilize when assisting clients to identify the appropriate x-ray inspection machine for their specific applications. Some of these questions may catch you off guard, as they focus more on your operations rather than just the machine. Furthermore, these inquiries can reveal other aspects of your process that could benefit from enhancement. Their purpose is to encourage thoughtful consideration and collaboration within your team, ultimately leading to an effective solution. By answering these questions, you can save significant time and effort. Here are the questions:

1. Purpose: Why are you considering X-ray Inspection?

The fundamental question arises: why explore X-ray inspection? Is this a proactive initiative to protect your products, brand reputation, or market position? Are you seeking to enhance your processes? Are there inspection requirements set by customers? In my experience, firms that proactively invest to enhance their processes tend to make more prudent decisions compared to those compelled by client demands. While budget constraints are a significant factor in the final outcome, companies that aim to exceed customer standards—even if these expectations are not conveyed—often achieve superior results without incurring excessive costs.

2. Downtime: What percentage of downtime do you currently experience with your detection systems?

Evaluate your existing downtime and set realistic targets for improvement. Some may have immediate data at hand, while others might struggle to keep track amidst busy schedules. Answering this question can clarify your needs and guide you in addressing them. If your current performance statistics are unsatisfactory, investigate why and determine how a new machine can rectify these issues. For instance, if your downtime is at 60% with a metal detector, it could indicate that the equipment is either unsuitable, insufficiently maintained, or inaccurately set up. Each of these elements should be individually addressed. Sapphire x-ray systems offer a real-time display of key metrics, including uptime, downtime, throughput, and contaminant frequency, allowing you continual access to both live updates and historical data.

3. Contaminant Size: What is the current size of contaminants you are detecting?

Identify the size of contaminants that need detection and the optimal specifications for your products and customers. For example, if your customer mandates the detection of contaminants as small as 1.5mm, but your technology can achieve 0.8mm detection, you're in a favorable position. My experience shows that when a customer raises concerns about contaminant issues in a batch, being able to present results from the past year demonstrating compliance under their specifications simplifies discussions and enhances professional credibility.

4. Other Contaminants: What types of contaminants are problematic for you and your customers?

This question encourages you to scrutinize your processes for potential issues. Common contaminant types in food production include:

• Plastic residues from bags, aprons, and gloves

• Wood and cardboard fragments from pallets and packaging

• Stones introduced via external ingredients

• Glass from operational errors

• Accidental breakage

Most contaminants are non-metallic, indicating that a metal detector may not offer adequate protection against quality issues. The eradication of contaminants not only relies on machinery capabilities but also on well-defined procedures. Observations have shown that production managers often take steps on Mondays to collect leftover potential contaminants from the previous week. They compile these findings visibly for discussion among the team, an initiative that can enhance overall effectiveness.

5. Throughput: What is your desired processing speed?

Your selected machine must accommodate the required product volume at the appropriate speed while managing contaminant detection. In every inline system, a limiting factor exists, and it's crucial to appropriately define the specifications to prevent becoming a bottleneck. I have witnessed instances where one factory unit purchased multiple new x-ray machines before completing essential line upgrades. Once those upgrades were done, existing x-ray machines could impede the entire process due to the lack of initial consideration for upgrades. I recommend adjusting throughput specifications with an additional 25-50% for long-term viability, ensuring your machine supports your needs in the future.

6. Data Tracking and Presentation: What information should be collected and displayed, and from where?

Different manufacturing sectors have unique requirements:

• Technical teams often want comprehensive documentation, including photographs of rejected products.

• Production management typically needs insights into line speeds.

These data points can be monitored both on the x-ray unit and within office systems. Modern x-ray technology allows for extensive logging of data and flexible display formats.

7. User-Friendliness: What concerns surround the ease of operating the machine?

Difficulty in usage slows down operations, ultimately incurring additional costs related to lost productivity and training. We've all encountered machines with complex operational protocols; lengthy restart times can result in lost production hours during product, calibration, or setting alterations. Adjustments should require just a few simple interactions—there's no need to halt operations or conduct lengthy procedures for modifications.

8. Uptime Performance: What goal do you have for system uptime?

Many manufacturers overlook downtime tracking. However, for some organizations that do monitor it, uptime performance is also crucial. While downtime measures the running time, uptime efficiency is vital for operational performance.

9. Changeover Speed: What is the current timeframe for product changeovers, and are you aiming for improvements?

Are you aware of how long changeovers take on your production lines? Would you like to reduce that time? It’s worthwhile to allocate specific durations for change processes. For instance, transitioning from allergen to non-allergen products often necessitates a thorough cleaning, not simply a quick air blast. Evaluate the time requirements of each step involved, particularly when comparing different machines to ensure informed decisions.

10. Product Quality: What aspects might you be omitting in your quality checks?

For instance, consider the food industry: how could new X-ray features enhance product oversight? Is the filling adequate and evenly distributed within products? Are there any damaged or missing items in multipack offerings? These recipe control features present in Sapphire's x-ray systems owe much to specialized algorithms and are essentially more versatile than standard metal detectors.

11. Handling Rejected Products: What processes do you have in place?

Evaluate how rejected products are managed in your current operations. Determine the time investment required and if reintroducing them into production is effective. Could the process be streamlined?

12. Cleaning: What is the duration required for a full machine clean?

Assess the cleaning times for your existing systems. Is this of concern? Many production settings do not adequately factor in this consideration.

13. Operational Interruptions: What factors could disrupt equipment functioning?

Examine potential elements that may impact the smooth operation of your inspection devices. Will daily cleaning protocols pose risks? Is there sufficient clearance around machinery for safe operation? Thoroughly evaluate all potential risks to optimize your inspection device performance.

As a bonus, here's an additional 14th question:

14. The Magic Wand: If you had the chance, what aspect of your operations would you improve instantly and why?

This question can offer revealing insights, as diverse departments may prioritize different issues: Production might wish for higher speeds, while technical teams could need enhanced information formats, operating efficiencies might top hygiene teams’ lists, and engineering could be focused on maintenance challenges. Addressing this inquiry across departments can catalyze significant improvements.

Conclusion

X-ray machines have become more affordable and reliable, offering considerably more functionality than traditional metal detectors. Therefore, it might be time to consider an upgrade. If you're contemplating this transition, remember to reflect on the questions I've posed above to ensure the solution aligns with your specific needs. If you're considering upgrading to X-ray inspection for any reason, feel free to call me at 853 399, complete a contact form, or connect with me on LinkedIn. I would be happy to assist you through the process to find the best solution for your requirements.

You might also find interest in: 5 Reasons to Choose X-ray Technology over Metal Detection.

Ready to Discover More?