-New equipment conditions in which it is difficult to use electrical sensors.

The sensor head can be made extremely compact and can be ruggedized against vibration. There is no risk of electrical sparks from the device and it can therefore be used in hazardous environments where volatile gases or vapours may be present. The use of temperature-resistant materials allows the device to be used in extreme conditions such as those found in jet engines or oil bore holes.

Cambridge Consultants Limited, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 4DW, UK

On-line X-ray inspection system The conveyor X-ray system from Lixi is suitable for inspecting defects in products that move on a conveyor, must be 100% inspected without losing production time, are of larger size and that have defects that are not easy to distinguish from the surrounding areas. Many products fit some or all of the above criteria and are candidates for X-ray inspection with the system. Examples include food, medical devices, printed circuit boards, electronic components and small parts.

The first installation of the system is at a food plant which needed to ensure a fully boneless chicken product. The Lixi system is synchronized with the manufacturer's line speed, and as the packages enter the sealed and waterproof X-ray chamber, a real-time X-ray image is seen on the video monitor. The imaging is of high enough resolution that small bone fragments are clearly distinguishable. This is achieved through a particular setting of the power supply, and it can be changed for different products, depending on the material and the type of defects that need to be seen.

A feature of this application is

Conveyor X-ray system from Lixi for on-line inspection

that a large size product is inspected for defects that could be as small as 0.8 ram, and the inspection is performed at line speeds, rather than in a QC lab. This is achieved owing to the system's high dynamic range, up to 2000:1, and the small focal spot size of the X-ray generator (250 #m). Image enhancement technology also plays a role in providing clear pass-fail information on a video screen to the operator.

Lixi Inc, 1438 Brook Drive, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA

Laser inspection The plastics, packaging and converting industries could save large sums through reduced scrap, better product grading and improved quality control if they installed automatic laser equipment to inspect sheet and film 15roducts, according to John Claridge, managing director of Image Automation.

Automatic laser inspection provides real-time defect analysis capable of pinpointing

J

problems in films or sheet. It can be applied to plastics extrusion and calendering processes as well as to blown-fi lm and cast-film production.

Automatic laser inspection produces a 'map' of a complete roll as it is being produced, allowing any defects to be assessed and action to be taken immediately, such as feedback to correct the process. Alternatively, defective sections can be removed from finished rolls or sub-standard rolls can be downgraded.

Information from the inspection can be readily incorporated into statistical process control systems and kept on file to satisfy BS5750/IS09000 procedures.

The company has just set up a dedicated evaluation facility at its London headquarters. Manufacturers are being invited, free-of-charge, to send product rolls for assessment. Image Automation wil l then provide a full report of any defects in the roll and invite the manufacturer to see the facility in action.

Image Automation Ltd, Kelvin House, Worsley Bridge Road, Sydenham, London SE26 5BX, UK

52 NDT&E International Volume 25 Number 1 1992