The inspection challenge
Fish bone contamination presents a distinct and often more difficult inspection challenge than poultry or red meat. Fish bones are typically thinner, lower in density, and more variable in shape, making them harder to detect reliably—particularly in processed or portioned products.
Common inspection challenges include:
- Fine, hair-like bones with low X-ray contrast
- Overlapping fillets and variable product thickness
- High moisture content affecting attenuation consistency
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Manual inspection remains widely used but is labour-intensive, inconsistent, and increasingly impractical at industrial scale. Alternative technologies such as vision systems are ineffective once bones are embedded within the product.
As a result, X-ray inspection is increasingly adopted to reduce risk while maintaining throughput.
Why in-line X-ray is used for fish bone detection
X-ray inspection identifies density differences within the product, allowing embedded bones to be detected regardless of surface appearance. This makes X-ray particularly valuable for fish products where bones are hidden within fillets or processed portions.
For fish processing applications, X-ray enables:
- Detection of embedded and overlapping bones
- Inspection of packed or layered products
- Continuous operation at production line speeds
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However, fish bone detection pushes X-ray systems close to their physical limits. Achieving reliable results depends heavily on detector sensitivity, noise performance, and long-term signal stability.
Detector and signal chain requirements
Fish bone detection places especially demanding requirements on the detector and electronics:
Ultra-low noise performance
Fish bones often produce only subtle contrast relative to surrounding tissue. Any excess electronic noise can obscure detection, forcing higher thresholds and increasing miss rates.
Exceptional signal uniformity
Non-uniform detector response can create artefacts that resemble bones or mask real contaminants. Uniformity across the full detector width is critical for reliable algorithm performance.
Stable energy response over time
Fish products vary significantly in thickness and composition. Drift in detector response can quickly erode detection performance and drive frequent recalibration, reducing system uptime.
Integration and lifecycle considerations
Fish processing environments introduce additional operational challenges:
- Cold and wet operating conditions
- Frequent washdown procedures
- High expectations for yield protection alongside safety
For OEMs, these factors make detector robustness and stability as important as initial sensitivity. A detector that performs well in factory tests but drifts in production creates operational risk for both the equipment supplier and the end user.
Designing inspection systems for consistent, long-term performance is essential to balancing safety, yield, and operational efficiency.
Sens-Tech approach to fish inspection applications
Sens-Tech’s X-ray detectors are developed with a focus on low-noise signal chains and long-term stability, supporting demanding food inspection applications such as fish bone detection.
By prioritising:
- Signal integrity
- Thermal and electronic stability
- Platform consistency across food applications
Sens-Tech helps OEMs develop inspection systems that maintain detection performance over time, without excessive recalibration or false rejects.
This platform-based approach allows inspection equipment manufacturers to address multiple food applications while managing lifecycle risk.
Related food inspection applications
Fish Bone Detection Products
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Length of active area
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Scintillator
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