Mettler-Toledo launches new Washdown Checkweigher System Series and a Washdown Combination Checkweigher Metal Detection Series specifically designed to facilitate rigorous cleaning operations in harsh food production environments
Giesen, Germany, 28th June 2021 – Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection today announces a new Washdown Checkweighing Series and Washdown Checkweighing Metal Detection Combination Series being launched into the Asia Pacific market. The new product inspection series is specifically designed for manufacturers of packaged food in harsh production environments, including dairy, fish, seafood and meat products. These companies require advanced precision weighing and contaminant detection solutions that facilitate applications that have stringent cleaning processes. This includes those that use caustic cleaning agents to combat bacterial contamination risks, without compromising weighing accuracy and/or metal detection frequency.
The hygienic design of the new Washdown Checkweighing Series and Combination Series feature sloped surfaces to discourage liquid and debris collection, avoiding bacterial contamination risks. In addition, conveyor belts can be removed quickly and easily for efficient cleaning. The product inspection series also features an open frame design with only four feet on the floor, which provides easy access for washdown purposes. This helps to reduce the amount of operational downtime to efficiently complete rigorous cleaning regimes.
Ingress protection remains a key design factor: the systems are IP69 rated and resistant to most caustic detergents and disinfectants in line with the ECOLAB Material Compatibility Test. This includes both system’s touchscreens, which do not need to be removed or covered during cleaning procedures, resulting in reduced downtime for regular cleaning processes.
The amount of production downtime due to cleaning is minimised through easy dismantling and reassembly of components such as the metal detector conveyor and the product collection bin, using the poka yoke (“mistake proofing”) principles of tool-less maintenance. A self-adjusting elastic belt removes the need for tensioning, and ensures the belt is correctly aligned in the centre of the conveyor. Customers can choose from a range of options for dealing with rejected products, including a tunnel for under- and over-weight products, a swing gate, air jet or pusher mechanisms.
Further time is saved through storing job parameters in the HMI that can be instantly recalled for automatic job set up on both the checkweigher and metal detection system. Up to 250 recipes can be stored in the HMI and additional memory for more recipes can easily be provided when required.
“Our checkweighing and combination product inspection systems bring something new to the market,” said Frank Borrmann, Market Manager at Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection. “These are highly automated, high performance machines, utilising Mettler-Toledo’s well-known precision technology – among the most advanced in these fields today – packed into a compact, open frame unit that is proven to be able to work in the harshest of washdown environments with no loss of quality. Also, the smart design of our systems, means that manufacturers reduce the amount of downtime needed for cleaning. By combining checkweighing and metal detection in a single machine, food manufacturers can also save space in their factories, and benefit from service and support from a single supplier.”
While maintaining the highest safety and hygienic standards, the new checkweighers are also built with Mettler-Toledo’s well-known precision technology and reliable design. As with other Mettler-Toledo series, the washdown checkweighers adhere to global weighing regulations and the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID). The series also comply with regulations governing conveyor materials expected to come into contact with food, including Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 and Regulation (EU) 10/2011, which supports the customer in their need to meet US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) standards.
Mettler-Toledo began developing combination product inspection systems in response to customer issues such as the difficulty of fitting all the inspection technologies they require into limited factory floorspace. The foundation stone of these product innovations is Mettler-Toledo’s modular C-Series range of checkweighers, which enable great flexibility when integrating other product inspection technologies. As well as metal detection, Mettler-Toledo’s combination systems can also include x-ray and vision inspection technology.
The integration includes not only hardware but also software. The CM33 Washdown and CM35 Washdown, as with other combination systems, have two HMIs that run in parallel – one for the checkweigher, one for the metal detector – communicating with each other, and giving the combination systems built-in redundancy. If one HMI fails, the other automatically takes over, avoiding unnecessary downtime, and all Critical Control Points continue to function.
The new inspection technologies in the C-Series Washdown Checkweighing range are:
• C33 PlusLine Washdown Checkweigher
Bringing together a combination of reliable weighing accuracy with rugged machine design, the C33 PlusLine delivers high precision weighing for harsh environments.
The C33 PlusLine features a 12″ touchscreen monitor positioned at the front of the system to ensure worker safety. This is also IP69 rated which means that it does not need to be covered or removed during cleaning. The system provides key runtime data and statistics in over 30 languages, with additional accessibility and ease-of-use options available.
• C35 AdvancedLine Washdown Checkweigher
Built for harsh environments, the C35 delivers precise weighing results on a stable weighing platform resistant to high-pressure washdown and most caustic detergents. The system supports speeds of up to 250 packs per minute and a weighing range from 25 g to 7 kg.
The weighing software supports IoT/Industry 4.0 initiatives using open interfaces such as OPC UA, Pack ML and Fieldbus.
Utilising the Washdown Checkweighing C-Series and combining this with the appropriate metal detection system, the Washdown Combination Checkweigher Metal Detection solutions are:
• CM33 Washdown Combination Checkweigher Metal Detection
The CM33 is based on the C33 PlusLine Washdown Checkweigher with an integrated metal detector from Mettler-Toledo’s Profile range of systems. The combined inspection system is capable of mid-range frequency operation and throughput of up to 250 weighings per minute, with weighing accuracy of up to +/- 0.2g.
• CM35 Washdown Combination Checkweigher Metal Detection
This combination system incorporates the C35 AdvancedLine Washdown Checkweigher with a metal detector from Mettler-Toledo’s Profile range of systems. The combined checkweigher and metal detection system can also achieve the same speed and weighing accuracy as the CM33 Washdown.
To complete the combination CM33 Washdown or CM35 Washdown technology, manufacturers can choose one of three stainless steel Mettler-Toledo Profile metal detectors applicable for their specific application. These are the Profile Combi LS (for small, packed product applications), Profile Advantage (maximum sensitivity to take on challenging applications) and Profile R / RZ (advanced inspection of bulk, dry product applications).
