• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
• Gamma Ray Spectroscopy
• IMS
• Infra-red
• LATE-PCR
• Millimetre-wave
• Raman
• X-ray inspection
  • X-ray technology
  • HiTraX highlights
  • HI-MAT
  • X-ACT
  • HI-SPOT
  • HI-TIP

X-ACT offers an automated process to recognize specific substances. Suspicious or high absorbing materials are framed according to their material origin.
X-ACT can be used for selective targeting and the detection of narcotics, explosives or other pre-defined substances.

The X-ACT system supports security operatives in their demanding work place by accelerating the checking process. X-ACT automatically points out suspicious materials in baggage. This positively effects the passengers’ awareness of safety and increases their acceptance of diligent security measurements during check-ins.

X-ACT is based on the proven HI-MAT PLUS multi energy material discrimination X-ray technique, sophisticated image processing software and dedicated hardware.
The HI-MAT PLUS material detection system has been further improved using a highly stabilized X-ray source and selected components for detection. The detection system provides the required material resolution to distinguish between explosives, narcotics and other materials.

The automatic detection software, which is run on a state-of-the-art computer hardware, is a spin-off of the renowned EDS explosive detection system for hold baggage screening.

The main feature is to separate materials of interest from other bag contents. Even if suspect items are obscured or overlap with others, they can be separated and alerted.
Besides visual framing on the display, the operative can be alerted through acoustic signals or a stopping of the belt.

• offers an automated procedure for the recognition of suspicious material
• works online and in real-time without loss of evaluation time for the operator
• is ‘background-sensitive’: Detection of substances covered by other material
• does not require further operator manipulation or stopping of baggage flow
• provides automated conveyor stops without loss of information
• implies an image storage function (IMS)
• includes an automatic re-calibration facility which guarantees long term stability

Suspicious material that in the past has been difficult to recognize by the operator of standard baggage inspection units are automatically marked, i.e. without any further operator manipulation. The frames are color-coded:

• Red frame: Explosives
• Green frame: Narcotics (option)
• Blue frame: High density (option)

Green frame indicating narcotics

Blue frame indicating dense material

A blue frame is inserted where the material to be checked is very dense and the system can no longer discriminate due to the high X-ray absorption. X-ACT operates without interrupting other evaluation procedures (e.g. no stopping of conveyor belt necessary).

X-ACT marks the substances in the HI-SCAN images. This means operators, using our standard systems, are familiar with the images and have an additional indication concerning the a. m. objects located in the bag. All other standard image evaluation functions are still available.

X-ACT works simultaneously to all other available online-functions as HI-TIP or HI-SPOT.

Depending on the requirements, special explosives and/or narcotics can be trained into the system on request.

X-ACT is compatible with the HI-SCAN units manufactured by Smiths Heimann. The younger generation of X-ray inspection units of Smiths Heimann for hand baggage check can be retrofitted with X-ACT. (Details provided on request with indication of serial number).

Due to the complexity of the detection data base the X-ACT system is pre-set according to the customer‘s requirements by the supplier.

Development supported by EC under contract no. 23480