Our X-Ray Inspection Technology

AIS offer the most advanced x-ray inspection technology in the UK for the food industry

AIS’ inspection technology can be customised to solve virtually any quality or contaminant problem – even in the most demanding of product applications.

We have developed the most advanced x-ray machines available to the UK food industry.

High resolution x-ray inspection service

To satisfy manufacturers’ demands for increasingly sophisticated and sensitive inspection capabilities, our specialist x-ray machines incorporate the latest high resolution silicon arrays and medical imaging sensors.

New machines – exclusive to AIS X-Ray

Two new machines – launched in 2018 – provide the highest resolution x-ray inspection service available in the UK:

Ultra Scan icon

AIS X-Ray Ultra Scan

The Ultra Scan offers a resolution 15 times more powerful than a standard system and can be installed at your premises on a short-term basis.

Micron Scan icon

AIS X-Ray Micron Scan

The superior Micron Scan offers a resolution 225 times more powerful than a standard food inspection system, available only at AIS.

A solution for every requirement

Conventional conveyor based and “drop through” metal detectors are also available and certain x-ray inspection equipment is available for hire at your own manufacturing premises.

All our machines are maintained to the highest standard.

Advanced x-ray inspection services

Continual investment in our technology and our team means we can put your product back into distribution faster than any other company.

ISO accredited

Certified to operate a Quality Management System

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Certified since 1999

Premier in Europe to achieve ISO 9001

Sophisticated x-ray inspection equipment, experienced staff

Our highly trained and experienced technicians will ensure the x-ray machine is operated to achieve the best sensitivity, accuracy and reliability.

Request a Free Sample Inspection

We offer a reasonably immediate appraisal of what can be achieved with your product or particular container. Simply send a sample of your product for inspection, or call us – we can often evaluate the issue on the phone.

Free sample inspection

Free, immediate and confidential evaluation

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Equipment to hire

Customisable x-ray systems and metal detectors at your premises

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    Make AIS a key part of your crisis response plan

    In a crisis situation you can be confident that your product recall is being managed by the best in the industry.

    Our X-Ray Inspection Technology FAQs

    How reliable are the inspection techniques?

    How reliable are the x-ray inspection techniques?

    AIS has many years’ of experience in providing specialist x-ray inspection services. We are ISO accredited to help you achieve compliance for potential recall incidents, HACCP and TACCP.

    Over 95% of our business is repeat business from long term clients, mainly within the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

    Reliability can differ due to many factors. We will always give a clear and honest appraisal of what is achievable and be prepared to demonstrate that to you at any time.

    Request a Free Sample Inspection for AIS to evaluate your product and problem.

    How long does it take to inspect the product?

    How long does it take to inspect the product?

    The inspection time is dependent on the target defect or contaminant, the product and pack size, if it can be inspected in a case or has to be stripped from the case, re-shrunk wrapped etc.

    A pallet can be as quick as 5 minutes or as long as two hours.

    Request a Free Sample Inspection for AIS to evaluate your product and the likely timescale required for your particular problem.

    You can also call us – we can often evaluate the issue on the phone.

    What type and size of things can AIS detect?

    What type and size of things can AIS detect?

    As a general statement, x-ray can identify anything which has a reasonable absorption differential to the product in which it is surrounded. Typically, we detect foreign objects such as metal and glass fragments or higher density plastics and rubber compounds.

    The size of object that we can identify is influenced by the density and size of the contaminant and the product, the position of the contaminant within the pack, and the type of packaging.

    Detection of missing items and quality concerns is subject to similar factors.

    Find out more about our highest resolution scanner, the Micron Scan.

    We will always give a clear and honest appraisal of what is achievable and be prepared to demonstrate that to you at any time.

    Request a Free Sample Inspection for AIS to evaluate your product and problem.

    What is AIS’ Free Sample Inspection?

    What is our Free Sample Inspection?

    Our Free Sample Inspection service offers a no obligation evaluation of what is achievable for your product and problem. Simply complete the form here and send a sample of your product for inspection at AIS’ premises.

    This initial evaluation is reasonably immediate, confidential and free and we will always provide an honest appraisal of what is possible. All enquiries are treated as 100% confidential.

    You can also call us – we can often evaluate the issue on the phone.

    Is the x-ray equipment for hire?

    Can I hire x-ray inspection equipment?

    Yes, some of our customisable x-ray inspection systems and metal detectors are available to rent at your premises. These can be hired, subject to availability, on flexible contract periods – usually for an immediate or short term requirement.

    Find out more about X-Ray Inspection Equipment Hire.

    How do AIS’ new scanners compare with on-line equipment?

    How do AIS’ new scanners compare with on-line equipment?

    The main differentiator is the resolution achieved with the use of advanced linear sensors:

    Standard x-ray inspection equipment for the food industry typically records 140,000 data points in a 15 x 15cm product.

    AIS X-Ray Micron Scan achieves a resolution of 9,000,000 data points in the same sample. This additional resolution ensures detection of incredibly small foreign bodies and is much less sensitive to the orientation and location of the contaminant within the product.

    AIS X-Ray Ultra Scan offers a resolution of 600,000 data points in the same sample of 15 x 15cm (achieving detection of contaminants as small as 0.4mm metal / 1.2 mm non-metallic substances).

    Can the new scanners operate on-line or near-line?

    Can the new AIS X-Ray scanners operate on-line or near- line?

    Ultra-high resolution sensors cannot match the high speeds used on modern production lines.

    The AIS X-Ray Micron Scan is designed to operate off-line and be operated by AIS’ expert staff to achieve its optimum accuracy.

    The AIS X-Ray Ultra Scan can be deployed at near-line and off-line locations.

    White Papers

    How Do X-Ray Systems Find Contaminants?

    How Do X-Ray Systems Find Contaminants?

    What are the main components and operating principles of an x-ray inspection system?

    This white paper explains how specialist x-ray equipment can be highly efficient to detect typical contaminants at various stages of the production process.

    Go to the Mettler-Toledo website