X-ray Inspection boosts Productivity for Jelly Manufacturer

Need to boost productivity and ensure product safety?

A bulk x-ray system inspects millions of jellies an hour at Finnish confectionery manufacturer Fazer and boosts productivity by increasing efficiency and profits whilst ensuring product safety of up to ten different product types on one production line.

To reduce contamination of its jelly sweets, Finnish confectionery manufacturer Fazer has installed an AdvanCheK Bulk x-ray inspection system from METTLER TOLEDO Safeline on its new jelly sweets production line. The x-ray system ensures product quality, prevents physical contaminant-based product recalls and increases productivity.

The Situation
Fazer uses conventional product inspection equipment on its existing confectionary production lines, but was dissatisfied with its inability to detect non-metallic contaminants.

X-ray systems can detect dense contaminants like glass, metal, stone and high-density plastics and rubbers and that’s why Fazer decided x-ray technology was the best solution for its new jelly sweet production line.

The Buying Decision
During the decision making process, METTLER TOLEDO Safeline arranged a site visit for Fazer to one of its existing AdvanCheK Bulk customers located in Sweden. Fazer’s representatives were able to see the AdvanCheK Bulk in operation and could ask the Swedish customer detailed questions about the performance of the technology – their positive feedback was a convincing factor in Fazer’s purchasing decision.

The X-ray System
The AdvanCheK Bulk x-ray system at Fazer is situated at the end of the new jelly sweets production line, before the products are packaged into bags. The gelatine- and starch-based jellies go through sugaring or oiling sections before being x-rayed.

Increased Productivity and Flexibility
“The maximum capacity of the new jelly sweets production line is 3,500 kg/hour. Considering that one jelly may weigh as little as a few grams, the x-ray system needs to be able to inspect millions of jellies per hour,” commented Ilkka Koskinen, Fazer’s Production Supervisor. This ensures maximum productivity for Fazer.

The x-ray system inspects up to 10 different product types on this new production line, with a change of product every eight hours, providing production flexibility.

The AdvanCheK Bulk is sophisticated yet simple to use, with a sealed, colour industrial touch-screen and intuitive user interface. This gives the operator full control without requiring special training or previous x-ray knowledge.

The entire system can be set up and ready to use within minutes, ensuring maximum production uptime. The optional encoder-driven variable speed detection capability easily copes with changes in line speed without interrupting inspection, maximising throughput.

The troughed conveyor ensures that the bulk product stays on the belt. The conveyor is fully removable from the x-ray cabinet, allowing easy access to all machine areas and to the belt, reducing downtime and ensuring easy cleaning and maintenance. Self-aligning pins and a simple drive coupling also mean the conveyor is easy to reposition.

Customer Satisfaction
“The x-ray system is helping to increase efficiency and profits as it only rejects contaminated products, using a multi-flap reject system,” explains Mr Koskinen. “This is minimising our product waste and reducing our manufacturing costs. Safety is enhanced and product quality is also much better.”

Mr Koskinen says METTLER TOLEDO’s service during the purchasing process was excellent, and the after-sales service by the company’s Finnish representative, Finnvacuum was exceptional. “I would definitely recommend the AdvanCheK Bulk x-ray system to other food producers for bulk flow inspection applications,” he says.