Fortress Technology showcases X-ray and checkweigher combination system at Pack Expo 2026

Fortress Technology, a global manufacturer and supplier of inspection systems, is showcasing its new Icon X-ray and Checkweigher Combination System at Pack Expo 2026, booth S-1752. Built on a single-machine platform with an intuitive interface, it delivers efficient product inspection in a space-saving solution. 

Courtesy of Fortress Technology

Designed as one machine rather than a series of connected modules, the Icon X-ray Combination System integrates X-ray inspection, checkweighing, safety controls and product rejection within a single IP65-rated stainless steel frame.

Many combination systems attempt to connect otherwise independent inspection technologies, resulting in multiple operator interfaces, conveyors and safety circuits. The Icon Combination technologies are engineered and programmed to work together, creating a more contained, hygienic system that is simpler to operate and occupies less production floor space.

With two reject bins included, the complete system measures less than 2.5 meters long.

Designed as one machine

Operators manage inspection, weighing, product setup, training and maintenance through one dedicated human-machine interface. This removes the need to navigate separate control screens for the X-ray and checkweigher.

An optional internal camera provides real-time visual monitoring of product flow. The camera uses a separate dedicated screen, keeping the primary interface available for machine operation while helping operators identify product-flow issues, reduce stoppages and opportunities to improve performance.

The Icon also replaces connected independent safety circuits with one integrated safety circuit. This simplifies diagnostics and supports a faster, more coordinated response during an emergency.

Where some X-ray combination systems require an additional two to four feet of external lead shielding to meet radiation-safety requirements, the Icon X-ray cabinet contains the radiation shielding and conveyor components within its compact frame.

Its IP65-rated structure follows hygienic design principles, with smooth, sloped surfaces that reduce potential product and moisture accumulation. Fortress Technology has also more than halved the number of floor contact points to six. Fewer legs, footpads and exposed threads reduce areas where dirt and microorganisms can collect.

Together, these design features help to ensure easier access for sanitation. They also address inefficiencies commonly associated with modular combination systems to assist food manufacturers reduce equipment complexity without compromising inspection performance or food safety.

Advanced detection and weight control

The Icon X-ray Combination System simultaneously inspects products for physical contaminants and verifies that each package meets its specified weight criteria. In addition to protecting product integrity, the system can support the verification of item counts, inspect fill levels and detect missing components in individual packs and multipack application.

Designed for fast and intuitive operation, the Icon X-ray features an automatic product setup that guides operators through a simple step-by-step process, allowing new inspections to be configured in just minutes. Once configured, the system can detect contaminants including metal, glass, bone and high-density plastics. It can also identify lower-density foreign materials that conventional food X-ray systems may miss, including aluminum, rubber and certain plastics.

Fortress Technology's IA+ algorithm further enhances inspection performance on challenging products by filtering out product-related noise. This technology can disregard product edges, air pockets in sliced bread and overlapping components in granola boxes, allowing the system to focus more precisely on potential contaminant signatures.

Separate reject systems isolate contaminant rejects from weight rejects, helping manufacturers identify the reason for rejection and minimize unnecessary food waste. When the Icon X-ray detects a potential contaminant, the affected package is immediately excluded from weight statistics. This prevents contaminated products from influencing quality-control data and protects the accuracy of production records.

Reject systems can be configured around different package formats and handling requirements. Options range from air blast rejection for products weighing under two pounds to drop-nose and retracting conveyors for delicate, heavy or bulk products.

Available in four belt widths, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mm, the Icon X-ray and Checkweigher Combination System supports a wide range of food and non-food applications.

The system can inspect packaged meats and sausages with functional metal clips, bread rolls and loaves with natural density variations.

For products with complex or inconsistent densities, IA+ filtering helps the system distinguish normal product characteristics from potential contaminants. The technology can also support non-food applications where density-based inspection is required.

The Icon X-ray uses Fortress Technology's maintenance-free X-ray generator with passive cooling as the standard configuration. Unlike water-cooled systems, it eliminates the maintenance, infrastructure and operational complexity associated with circulating water. The integrated cabinet is engineered to dissipate heat efficiently under standard operating conditions. For applications with higher ambient temperatures or more demanding operating environments, an optional air conditioning system is available to provide additional cooling when required. 

Advanced Industry 4.0 connectivity using OPC UA and Ethernet supports production-data logging and remote monitoring. RFID tap-in/tap-out security ensures that only authorized personnel can change sensitive inspection parameters or access audit data.

A version of Fortress Technology’s Automatic Testing System is also available for the Icon X-ray system and can be adapted to specific product formats and weights to automatically verify that the system correctly rejects products associated with a contamination event.

Every Fortress Technology system, including the Icon X-ray series, is backed by the company’s Never Obsolete guarantee. This allows systems to be upgraded as production requirements and global food-safety regulations evolve. Metal detection can also be incorporated within the same frame, giving manufacturers the flexibility to expand their inspection capabilities without replacing the complete system.

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