Quality gingerbread

German gingerbread manufacturer Frank Lebkuchen has installed an Ishida IX-GA-2475 x-ray machine.

The new inspection system is checking the company’s standard mixed gingerbread pack with a fill weight of 200g, which is its best selling product and accounts for almost 80 per cent of its entire output.

The foil wrapped cardboard trays each contain seven pieces of a mix of the three different gingerbread types – natural, chocolate coated and frosted. The pieces sit upright in the packs and, due to their different thicknesses, place high demands on the x-ray inspection system.

The IX-GA-2475 reaches belt speeds of up to 90 metres per minute and detects foreign bodies with a diameter of only 0.5mm, which are eliminated using an air blast nozzle.

The machine features an automatic set up function and is ready to use within 90 seconds, while up to 100 pre-sets facilitate the frequent changes of product. In addition, precision adjustments can be made during ongoing production.