Maximize Yields with Breast-on-Belt Bone X-ray Inspection
As poultry processors push for higher yields and tighter food safety controls, bone detection has become one of the most critical inspection challenges on the line. Historically, traditional breast-on-belt inspection methods often force a tradeoff between detection sensitivity, throughput, and labor efficiency. Eagle PI’s PXT (Preperformance Xray Technology) dual energy detector paired with the Maximizer RMI is specially designed to enhance detection of bone, stubborn foreign materials and keep the line running at optimal speeds. With Eagle’s Maximizer RMI, plants are not forced to choose between limited throughput or detection.
Why Breast-on-Belt Bone Detection Still Matters
Bone fragments remain one of the most common foreign material risks in boneless poultry processing. Even small bone inclusions can lead to recalls, customer complaints, and lost of brand reputation.
Traditional solutions often rely on:
- Manual trim stations with high labor costs
- High false reject rates that reduce yield
- Limited visibility into rejected product flow
Modern breast-on-belt x-ray inspection systems address these issues by detecting bones earlier in the process while preserving good product leading to higher throughput, brand protection and peace of mind.
How the System Works on the Line
The inspection process is designed to minimize disruption while maintaining accuracy:
- Product enters the x-ray inspection system via the infeed conveyor
- Advanced x-ray technology scans each piece for bones and contaminants
- Detected product is diverted using a precise retract reject mechanism
- Good product continues uninterrupted to the main line
- Rejected product is routed to a dedicated rework station
- Trimmed product can be safely reintroduced for reinspection
This closed-loop approach allows processors to recover yield that would otherwise be lost to over-rejection or manual handling.
Performance Xray Technology in Chicken Bone X-ray Systems
The Eagle Maximizer RMI features an automated reinspection loop. This allows product to be automatically sorted and delivered back to the operators. This system managed rejected product in a controlled, repeatable way to support rework and yield recovery. The reinspection loop reducing product waste and increases throughput of good product.
Key application focus includes:
- Raw or cooked, unpackaged chicken breasts, tenders, butterflies, thighs and nuggets
- Singulated, separated products or bulk product
- One or two-lane configurations, up to 20″ of inspection
- Throughput up to 120 pieces per minute per lane (240+ pieces per minute)
This makes the system well-suited for high-volume poultry operations seeking both precision and efficiency.
Eagle’s PXT Detector Technology utilizes photocounting dual energy detectors to detect low density materials. This has changed the game for bone & cartilage detection. Small fragments (down to 1 mm) can be detected using this advantaged technology. Paired with SimulTask Pro software, the system uses real-time image analysis to analyze product and distinguish between the product variability and the contamination.
Technology That Sets It Apart
The Eagle Maximizer RMI offers several key differentiators from their competitors:
- Advanced image analysis software and dual-energy detector technology designed to improve bone detection accuracy (SimulTask Pro)
- Low false reject rates, helping protect yield without compromising food safety
- Automated reject management, reducing manual labor and handling variability
- Hygienic, IP69-rated design, suitable for aggressive washdown environments
- Compact footprint, allowing easier integration into existing lines
The system is designed to maintain detection performance while reducing the operational burden typically associated with breast-on-belt inspection systems.