Security screening equipment:
what it finds, and how
Entrance security screening is shared among several devices. X-Ray Baggage Scanners look inside bags, Walk-through Metal Detectors check for metal carried on the body, and Hand-held Metal Detectors pinpoint the spot that triggered an alarm. Explosives & Narcotics Trace Detectors find invisible explosive traces, and people who have cleared screening enter through Speed Gates. Here is a simple guide to how each device works and what it is made of.
Five devices at a glance
| Category |  X-Ray Baggage Scanner |  Walk-through Metal Detector |  Hand-held Metal Detector |  Explosives & Narcotics Trace Detector |  Speed Gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{r.k_nw}} | {{r.a_nw}} | {{r.b_nw}} | {{r.c_nw}} | {{r.d_nw}} | {{r.e_nw}} |
Seeing inside bags with transmitted X-rays
The amount of X-ray that passes through depends on a material’s density and composition. The detector reads these differences to build an image, and the difference in response between two energies (High · Low) is used to show organic · mixed · inorganic materials in different colors.
Learn more about MIK SCAN AI screening · imaging technology → 3D-CT X-Ray Baggage Scanner (In development) →
Finds metal as people simply walk through
Coils inside the two pillars (panels) create a magnetic field across the walkway. When a person carrying metal passes through, induced currents in the metal change the field; the detector senses this change, sounds an alarm and shows by zone where the metal passed.
Pinpoints the alarm location by hand
The same principle in a device small enough to hold in your hand. When a walk-through unit alarms, the operator holds it close to that area to confirm the exact location of the metal. It detects both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alerts by sound · vibration and more.
Detects particles too small to see
Sampling paper wiped over bag surfaces or hands collects tiny amounts of explosive and narcotic particles for analysis. IONAB™ uses IMS (ion mobility spectrometry), which turns particles into ions and identifies substances by differences in how fast the ions move.
Fast entry for authorized people only
An access control device linked to authentication devices (card · fingerprint · iris · face · vein recognition, etc.) that opens its barrier only for authenticated people. Placed behind the security screening line, it ensures only people who have completed screening can enter.
How performance is verified
X-Ray Baggage Scanner performance is confirmed against national performance certification standards and by accredited testing laboratories.
MSCAN-6040D · 6040S certified (2024.07)
Key certification criteria