Cabinets dissipate X-ray heat generation

To dissipate heat in x-ray machines, which detect food contaminants, compressed air cabinet coolers are used.

Farnborough-based Loma Systems is the world's leading manufacturer of food inspection systems, including x-ray machines to detect contaminants such as bones, heavy plastic and metallic items in food processing lines.

This equipment is designed to operate in the extreme conditions that occur in the food processing industry, for example in bakeries, as well as being able to withstand the rigours of industrial wash-down to IP66 rating.

The equipment is somewhat similar to the metal detectors used at airports for hand-luggage.

An x-ray beam is directed through the product onto a detector that contains a bank of photo-sensitive diodes.

The detection and reject system is automatic and a visual image is generated on a fascia viewing screen.

The food may be transferred on a belt conveyor or in pipeline configuration.

The x-ray energy is up to 75,000V and the complete process generates a considerable amount of heat.

In order to dissipate this heat Loma incorporates Meech cabinet coolers.

Colin Blank, Electrical Design Engineer at Loma Systems, explains, "Our machines use compressed air systems to remove rejected food items off the conveyor belt.

It makes economic and engineering sense, therefore, to use compressed air for cooling.

Meech cabinet coolers use the vortex phenomenon, supplying us with maximum cooling for minimum volume of compressed air." In the food industry, where brands are completely reliant on the purity of their products, the importance of inspection devices is impossible to exaggerate.

Loma devices can detect metal impurities as small as 1mm diameter and the systems are designed to allow clients to tune the software to optimise the visualisation of their particular product, be that bread, sausages or meat pies.

The efficiency of the inspection depends on the cabinet computer and detector operating in stable conditions and the Meech cooler ensures that optimal conditions are maintained.

Furthermore, the equipment must be constructed to withstand the powerful cleaning processes that are demanded of food preparation systems, including being doused in caustic solutions and sprayed with high pressure hot water.

Again, the Meech equipment, being constructed of stainless steel and incorporating no moving parts, is ideal for these very tough environments.

Loma (www.loma.com) has been particularly impressed by the latest product developments from Meech, including the new digital thermostat control with accurately adjustable setpoint and differentials, which have greatly increased efficiency and usability.

"Our prime cooling system is the Meech cabinet cooler," concludes Colin.

"It provides the most economic and simplest solution.

Our clients put their reputations in our hands.

We rely on Meech to keep our machines running smoothly.".

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