Mettler-Toledo X36 Series — improving efficiency and product quality
Mettler-Toledo Safeline X-ray further drives the development of maximum efficiency product inspection and quality control for food and pharmaceutical manufacturers with the latest advancement of its x-ray inspection systems, the X36 Series, which is now available in a shorter 1.2 m version. The new design incorporates short tunnel guards, which are instrumental in reducing the machine footprint ideal for manufacturers with restricted production space. After installation, extension tunnel guards can be easily constructed, around the detector apertures and over the conveyors without increasing the system size. These measures ensure compliance with radiation guidelines issued by the European Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The X36 series utilises Mettler-Toledo Safeline X-ray’s advanced x-ray imaging technology, guaranteed to produce consistent and reliable product inspection results on single and multilane applications. Designed for manufacturers seeking to detect and remove miniscule contaminants, such as metal, glass, dense plastic, mineral stone and calcified bone in a wide range of packaging materials whilst simultaneously performing product integrity checks. The X36 offers a choice of innovative detector diodes, 0.8 mm or 0.4 mm, detector widths and generator size options. The 0.8 mm detector, for example, can be used in conjunction with a low powered 20W generator to increase sensitivity five times more than standard x-ray systems. In addition, the 0.8 diode can be combined with a 100W or 400W generator, with the 0.4 mm detector diode designed with either a 100W or 400W generator. This versatility provides manufacturers with a range of x-ray technology options to suit their current and future product ranges. When equipped with a low power generator (20W), the machine does not require additional cooling thus reducing power consumption and energy costs.
Daniela Verhaeg, marketing manager SBU X-ray Inspection, Mettler-Toledo Safeline X-ray explained: “Food and pharmaceutical manufacturers have to react to ever changing consumer demands by implementing flexible product inspection solutions. Being the most advanced and energy-efficient x-ray system on the market, the X36 meets those requirements by delivering consistent and reliable inspection results in real-time, matching changing production needs, reducing machine footprints and significantly reducing operational costs”.
A continuation of the initial next generation launch X33 Series, the X36 Series offers the flexibility to analyse and record the overall mass of packaged products and individual masses within various areas or compartments. This information is then communicated to the filling machine, to ensure product quality control and measurement, and reduce waste. With the new length of either 2.1 m or 1.2 m, the x-ray system is available in multiple widths, 300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm and 600 mm.
Also included in the X36:
- The X36 series 2.1 m system has the option for a fully incorporated reject mechanisms including reject bins, which automatically remove contaminated or substandard products from the processing line.
- For systems with a reject option a due diligence enhanced locking feature is available, limiting access to rejected products to authorised personnel only.
- IP65 rating comes as standard with IP69K as an option, to ensure the latest principles of hygienic design.
- Full, tool-less access to the product zone area via removable plates; sloping surfaces, tubular frame and a brushed steel finish facilitate easy product set up and cleaning to reduce the risk of critical control point contamination.