Multi-Functional Checkweighers: Combining Weight, Metal Detection, and X-Ray Inspection

In a competitive and highly regulated manufacturing environment, ensuring product quality and safety is paramount. While traditional checkweighers are essential for weight verification, many manufacturers now face challenges that require more than just weight inspection. Multi-functional checkweighers, also known as combination systems, are

a powerful solution that integrates multiple inspection technologies into a single, compact unit. These systems combine high-speed weighing with other critical functions, such as metal detection and X-ray inspection, to

provide a comprehensive quality control solution.

How Multi-Functional Checkweighers Work

A multi-functional checkweigher typically processes products in a streamlined, sequential manner. A product moves along a conveyor belt and is subjected to a series of inspections before it is either accepted or rejected.

1. Checkweighing: The product first passes over a high-precision scale. The system measures the product's weight and compares it to a pre-programmed target weight range. Products that are underweight or overweight are flagged for potential rejection.

2. Metal Detection: Before or after weighing, the product passes through a metal detection coil. This system

3. uses electromagnetic fields to detect the presence of ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless steel contaminants.

4. If any metal is found, the product is flagged for immediate rejection.

5. X-Ray Inspection: Some advanced systems include an X-ray inspection module. This technology passes a low-level X-ray beam through the product, generating a grayscale image. The system's software analyzes this image to detect dense contaminants such as glass, stone, bone, dense plastics, and some types of metal. This is particularly useful for products packaged in metalized film or foil, where a metal detector may not be as effective.

Applications Across Industries

Multi-functional checkweighers are essential in a variety of industries where product safety and quality are critical:

• Food and Beverage: Detecting metal fragments or glass shards in packaged goods, ensuring accurate fill weights for products like canned goods, frozen foods, and snacks.

• Pharmaceuticals: Verifying the weight of pill bottles and detecting foreign objects to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.

• Cosmetics and Personal Care: Checking the fill level of lotions, creams, and other products while also ensuring there are no contaminants.

By consolidating multiple inspection points into one machine, manufacturers can streamline their processes,

reduce costs, save valuable floor space, and, most importantly, provide consumers with a consistently safe and

high-quality product.