Beef Carton X-Ray
Built specifically for beef in cartons, crates, and vacuum-packed, frozen blocks, this inline system analyses fat content, detects foreign matter, and monitors weight. It is not yet fully available in photon-counting models but will be soon. Still, it is known for the longevity of its generator, which is the most expensive component of an X-ray machine. Like other units, it can detect metal and non-metal contaminants, determine item weight, and reject deformed items if applicable. The corresponding model from Eagle is the FA3/C, and is also used for pork.
The beef carton x-ray equipment is in its 3rd generation of Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) technology, based on the proven and superior single-beam geometry Eagle introduced to the market in 2004. These units use DEXA to provide effective fat analysis on 100% of product throughput, providing Chemical Lean (CL) measurements to better than +/- 1CL accuracy on all meat products.
In addition to measuring Chemical Lean, the beef carton model measures weight & detects contaminants within the product such as metals, glass, calcified bones, & stones. Calculations for protein and moisture of the packaged meat are also available.
These machines continue a tradition of providing precise measurements at the highest throughputs in the industry; up to 2,400 packages per hour. Thanks to proprietary advanced imaging software, the machines for beef cartons perform all of these measurements and inspections simultaneously, with no degradation in inspection performance at full throughput.
PRODUCT SWITCH™
PRODUCT SWITCH automatically adjusts inspection parameters “on the fly” while the line is running – making job changes simple and seamless. By scanning a bar code, this feature allows products, with different inspection requirement, to run on the same line by instantly switching to the correct set of inspection parameters, eliminating downtime required to manually switch and recalibrate products
Beam Geometry Diagram
Figure 1: EagleTM FA3/C with rejector option dimensions.
EagleTM FA3/C Features
- Measures Chemical Lean (CL) to better than +/- 1CL accuracy against industry-standard primary reference methods
- Superior detection of contaminants including calcified bone, metals, glass and stones
- Simple touch screen operation
- Smallest factory floor footprint
- Highest throughput in industry
- SimulTask™ PRO advanced image analysis software
- AUTOCAL™ automated calibration system
- VALIDATETM calibration validation feature
- PRODUCT SWITCHTM feature
- Rugged, survivable and sanitary: Designed to AMI sanitary guidelines
- Lead-free long-life polymer curtains
- Fast breakdown for sanitation: Less than 5 minutes with just one person
- Flexible integration via TraceServer™, OPC UA, Ethernet/IP, discrete I/O and custom control solutions
- CAT 3 (EN954), PLd (EN13849) safety system with embedded self-diagnostics
- Built-in UPS for critical component protection from harsh factory floor electrical power
Inline Fat Measurement & Contaminant Detection of Packaged Beef (+ Pork)
The FA3/C provides a wealth of direct and flexible integration capabilities for factory floor controls via one, or a combination of, the following:
- TraceServer™ (optional) - TraceServer enables real-time monitoring and archiving of inspection statistics, product images and reports via any computer with network access.
- OPC UA and Ethernet/IP (optional) - Popular standards-based connectivity options facilitate batch management operations via external automation and control systems.
- Data & Blend Interface (optional) - Customized PLC-based batch/blend management solution with gateway to your recipe / MES / ERP system.
AUTOCAL™
The AUTOCAL automated calibration system is exclusive to Eagle’s inline fat measurement systems. AUTOCAL enables easy pushbutton calibration without having to handle bulky, unsanitary and potentially unsafe calibration phantom blocks on the factory floor. With a simple tap of the touch screen, an auto-calibration stepper motor mechanism cycles a series of internal precision calibration standards through the x-ray beam. Measurements on the standards are automatically compared to factory calibration points and any required corrections are applied. Corrections for drift can be made, returning the system to a fully-calibrated state in less than one minute.
VALIDATE™
Unique to all Eagle inline fat measurement systems is the VALIDATE feature, which allows operators to validate the calibration of the FA3/C at any time with a tap of the touch screen, rather than using large unsanitary phantom blocks. Using internal standards, beef carton x-ray equipment checks calibration and records the time/ date-stamped validation result in a secure electronic log, along with product and operator ID, and advises the operator if a system recalibration is required. The electronic log generates excellent documentation on system performance and calibration traceability. It also provides a uniquely effective defense against commercial claims regarding lean specification compliance.
Specifications
| Model | Packaged Beef X-Ray Applications |
|---|---|
| Block Product |
Fresh, chilled, frozen/tempered, wrapped/vacuum-packed, blocks of natural (unprocessed) meat
|
| Carton Product | Fresh, chilled, frozen/tempered natural (unprocessed) meat in fiber (cardboard) cartons |
| Crate Product | Wrapped/vacuum-packaged fresh, chilled, hot-boned, frozen natural (unprocessed) meat in E2 or E4 plastic crates |
| Available Measurements | Chemical Lean (CL) - standard, Weight - standard, Protein (optional)1 , Moisture (optional)1 |
| Statistical Data | Chemical Lean (CL) measurement, weight, throughput, contaminant/reject events, automatic calibration data, validation (VALIDATE) data, bar code data, protein (optional), moisture (optional) |
| Throughput (Maximum) | |
| Block/Carton/Crate | 2400 packages/hour (peak)2 |
| Maximum Package Size | |
| Width (cross belt) | 400 mm (15.75”) - See diagram |
| Length | 600 mm (23.6”) |
| Height | 200 mm (7.9”) |
| X-Ray Subsystem | |
| Anode Voltage/Current | 0-140 kV / 1 mA |
| Geometry | UPSHOTTM compact x-ray imaging geometry - single vertical fan beam located at bottom center with beam direction up |
| Cooling | Hermetically sealed oil bath |
| Detector | Proprietary 1.6 mm dual energy |
| Leakage | Less than 1μSv - without scatter body |
| Human Machine Interface | SVGA full color (24bit RGB) touch screen; USB Keyboard included for maintenance/service use |
| I/O | I/O board with up to four (4) inputs, four (4) outputs, five (5) PLC/SCADA status signals, RS232 Interface |
| Network | 10/100/1000 MB Ethernet (2) |
| Conveyor | |
| Speed | 24 meters per minute (78 fpm) to 36.6 meters per minute (120 fpm) |
| Belting Product Contact Temperature | -29o C (-20o F) min to 99o C (210o F) max |
| Drive | Outboard stainless steel motor/gearbox with knurled stainless steel drive roller and 180o belt wrap |
| Tensioner | Non-pneumatic lever arm belt tensioning mechanism for belt tracking stability |
| Height (conveyor surface) | 900 mm (35.5") to 1400 mm (55.1") via a range of five (5) optional base heights, each with +/- 50 mm (2.0") adjustment via screw feet |
| Length and Width | 1800 mm (70.9”)length and 598 mm (23.5”) width |
| Width - Product Area | 421 mm (16.6") |
| Hygienic Design | |
| Conveyor Belt Material | Homogenous food-grade urethane non-wicking friction-drive - sanitizable to microbiological levels using standard meat-industry sanitation protocols |
| Curtains | Lead-free long-life polymer |
| Cabinet Construction | Designed to AMI3 Sanitary Guidelines - 304 Stainless Steel #4 finish (material recommended by EHEDG4 for this application) |
| Protection Rating | IP69K |
| System | |
| Operating Temperature (Ambient) | 1o C (34o F) to 21o C (70o F), Internal Precision Thermal Management System featuring a combination of a high-reliability/energy-saving heat exchanger for cabinet temperature control with a dedicated x-ray detector critical temperature controller |
| Electrical Power Requirements | 230 VAC +10/-15% Single Phase 50/60 Hz, 16A fused coso 0.9 |
| Uninterruptible PowerSupply | Internal UPS is standard feature |
| Air Requirements | None required. Optional reject unit may require air supply. |
| Water Requirements | 12.8o C(55o F) to 21.1o C(70o F) @ ≥ 7.6 liters/min (2.0GPM) |
| Safety System | CAT 3 (EN954), PLd (EN13849) safety system with embedded self-diagnostics |
| Options | |
| Rejector | Dual guided-rod push arm with 450mm (17.7”) stroke and 152mm (6”) square pad - unit mounted on separate free-standing device |
| Bar Code Reader (BCR) | Available in one (1), two (2) and three (3) head configurations. Includes mounting hardware and interface cables for connection to FA3/C. Enables batch/lot tracking and PRODUCT SWITCH feature. |
| Marquee Display Unit (MDU) | Provides IP69K bright tri-color LED marquee display of measurement data for easy viewing across boning hall, trim floor or batch assembly to assist trimming/packing or batch assembly to CL targets |
| Remote Touchscreen Console (RTC) | Enables complete remote operation of FA3/C using same touch screen HMI in IP69K enclosure. Useful at batch assembly, rework stations or supervisory desks. |
| OPC Server (OPC) | Provides OPC UA interface via Ethernet to clients supporting OPC UA for batch management |
| Ethernet/IP (EIP) | Ethernet/IP provides a standards-based Ethernet connectivity solution for batch management |
| TraceServer™ Software | Server software application with user PC access to FA3/C via network. Provides comprehensive database collection of operating statistics and images, and provides a gateway for remote service. |
| Remote Connection | Via Ethernet with TraceServer™ Software option allows for remote diagnostics |
| Data & Blend Interface (DBI) | Customized PLC-based batch/blend management solution |
| Parts Sanitation Cart | Provides custom designed, secure stowage of parts to enable easy sanitation and storage (Recommended for all Eagle FA3 systems) |