The Mettler-Toledo Safeline AXR system offers fully automated product inspection and rejection of contaminated products. The technology provides exceptional detection of metal, high-density plastic, glass, stones and rubber and can simultaneously perform in-line quality checks including measuring mass, counting components, identifying missing or broken products, monitoring fill level, checking for damaged packaging, and ensuring seal integrity.
Mettler-Toledo has reported that the largest growth in sales for the AXR system has been in China and Thailand, driven by the growth in demand for convenience products, such as instant noodles. These products are packaged in plastic containers that have traditionally proved harder to inspect, as the density of the packaging at corners and edges can mask contamination. The manufacturers that use this packaging format require x-ray technology capable of overcoming this detection challenge.
Since the initial launch of the AXR, Mettler-Toledo Safeline has introduced a number of mechanical and software enhancements to optimise the technology for the requirements of Asian food manufacturers. In response to requests from producers of noodle snacks for tailored solutions for their specific x-ray needs, Mettler-Toledo developed software capable of detecting contamination in the edges of these plastic pots, without masking out the rest of the product, ensuring complete contaminant detection. This customised software has now been introduced as standard in all AXR systems.
Another significant area of growth has been small and medium enterprises in China. In order to penetrate the overseas export market, more and more of these smaller manufacturers are looking to the AXR system as a turn-key solution to demonstrate compliance with food safety regulations both locally and globally. Its comprehensive and highly sensitive product inspection and contaminant detection at high throughput speeds make it the ideal technology for Asian manufacturers to ensure that their products meet the high quality standards that consumers expect.
"In the global marketplace, it is more important than ever that food manufacturers have a product inspection system that offers complete contaminant detection", explained Ian Clarry, Sales Manager for Asia, Mettler-Toledo Safeline. "In order to penetrate new markets, brand owners have to comply with increasingly stringent quality standards. Fully comprehensive product inspection, as offered by the AXR, is the best way to boost overseas trade and minimise the risk of reputation-damaging product recalls".
The AXR can handle up to eight lanes on bulk applications, or up to four lanes on standard packaging lines and can inspect products in a range of sizes and packaging formats. Air-conditioning keeps the technology at the optimal operating temperature, between 10 to 35 degrees Celsius, in hot working environments. To reduce maintenance time, the AXR system is easy to clean, with a quick release belt and built to a leading hygienic design.
In addition to x-ray systems, Mettler-Toledo's product inspection technology portfolio includes metal detection and checkweighing solutions.
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About Mettler Toledo:
METTLER TOLEDO specializes in the area of precision instruments for professional use. METTLER TOLEDO laboratory instruments are used in research, scientific, drug discovery, and quality control labs, amongst many others in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetics industries. METTLER TOLEDO comprehensive industrial solutions cover the various steps in a host of manufacturing processes at many of the same customers that laboratory serves. Solutions range from receiving raw materials through various manufacturing processes, in-line process control and end-of-line packaging control, to logistics and shipping. Increasingly, these solutions are fully integrated into the customer's IT environment, helping automate their workflows. In food retail, our offering for fresh food management ranges from receiving and pre-packaging, to in-store solutions for self-service departments, deli counters, and checkout terminals.
