Checkweighers

Benefits of Mettler Toledo Checkweighers

Consistency

Mettler Toledo makes good checkweighers with good accuracy and precision. With a big company like this you pay extra for consistency and the knowledge that the company will always be there and there will always be someone who knows the equipment.

Increased Productivity

The automated nature of checkweighing allows you to maintain a fast production line without sacrificing accuracy. With minimal human intervention and filler feedback, your production line can run smoothly, increasing throughput while minimizing errors.

Waste Reduction

By ensuring only products within the acceptable weight range are allowed to pass through, checkweighers help reduce product wastage due to overfilled packaging, making your production process more sustainable.

Compliance with Regulations

Quality standards require manufacturers to ensure proper product weights.

Simple Operation

Though not as flexible as some other offerings, these units are comparably easier to set up, adjust settings, and review weight data in real time. You can quickly adjust tolerance ranges and receive immediate feedback on weight variances.

Drawbacks of Mettler Toledo Checkweighers

Cost

Mettler Toledo checkweighers can be a significant upfront investment, particularly for smaller manufacturers.

Redundant When Using Eagle X-Ray

Checkweighers may be less efficient or unnecessary, particularly if your facility already uses an Eagle X-ray machine, which provides both checkweighing and foreign object detection in one.

Maintenance and Calibration

Like any precision equipment, Mettler Toledo checkweighers require regular maintenance and calibration to ensure consistent performance. MT’s benefits in this arena are that they are big and have the techs. The down-side is expense, since they lock anyone else out and force you to use them.

When to Use Checkweighers

For Heavier Items

Checkweighers are necessary for weighing heavier items like 50 lb. bags, which x-ray has a hard time with. They provide quick, accurate weight checks to ensure products meet the required weight specifications without slowing down production.

No Eagle X-Ray

If you need to check item weight but don’t have an x-ray machine capable of doing so, this is a low-cost method to ensure items are weighted correctly. We specify Eagle x-ray because we have not yet encountered another supplier that can do this well.

When Not to Use Checkweighers

Lighter Items When Eagle X-Ray Exists

If your production mainly involves small, lightweight items, such as snack bags or small pouches, a Mettler Toledo checkweigher may not be necessary. In these cases, an Eagle X-ray machine could be a better fit, as it not only performs checkweighing but also detects contaminants like glass, metal, and plastic.

Low-Volume Operations

If your production line runs at low volumes or isn’t subject to strict weight regulations, the upfront investment in a checkweigher might not be cost-effective. In these cases, manual checks or other, less expensive methods could suffice.

FAQs

Q: Can Mettler Toledo checkweighers be integrated with other machines on my production line?

A: Yes, Mettler Toledo checkweighers are designed for easy integration into your existing production line. They can work alongside packaging machines, conveyors, and other equipment to ensure continuous quality control and regulatory compliance.

Q: How often do I need to calibrate the checkweigher?

A: Calibration frequency depends on the specific machine and your production environment. Generally, it’s recommended to calibrate your checkweigher daily or weekly, depending on usage. You should also recalibrate it after any significant adjustments or maintenance.

Q: Can a Mettler Toledo checkweigher detect foreign objects like an X-ray system?

A: No, Mettler Toledo checkweighers focus solely on weight measurement. For foreign object detection, a dedicated X-ray inspection system, such as an Eagle X-ray, would be necessary. For light products, some X-ray systems can also provide checkweighing functionality, so you might not need a separate checkweigher.

Q: How do I set the tolerance levels on a Mettler Toledo checkweigher?

A: Setting tolerance levels is simple with the user-friendly touchscreen interface. You can easily adjust the acceptable weight range for your product, and the checkweigher will automatically reject items that fall outside the specified range.

Q: What is a checkweigher in pharma?

A: “Pharmaceutical checkweighers” are either normal checkweighers like these used for food that comply with FDA 21 CFR and the DSCSA and use smaller load cells, or they are specialized checkweighers made for capsules. The type shown here are automatic, and there are also options where there is a slot to hold individual capsules, with a load cell under each one.

Q: What are the different types of Checkweighers?

A: The first class of checkweighers are the automated, inline ones described on this page. This includes variations like combo units (integrated with metal detectors or X-ray), multilane, and capsule checkweighing machines, which look very different from those shown here.

The second type are manual, which are just lab or bench scales with a checkweighing function. This works by having a target weight, then when an item is placed on the scale, it will read back whether the item is over or under-weight.

Q: What is a check weight?

A: A check weight is a certified reference weight used to verify or calibrate a scale or weighing device. It ensures the instrument provides accurate readings and is often made of stainless steel or other stable materials that resist corrosion and wear. We both sell and rent these weights. These are used to verify accuracy of lab scales and crane scales alike.

Q: What is the principle of Checkweighers?

The principle of checkweighers is based on dynamic weighing. As products pass over a conveyor-mounted weighing platform, sensors measure the weight while the product is in motion. The system then automatically accepts or rejects each item depending on whether it falls within preset weight limits.

A: What is the zone of indecision in checkweigher?

The zone of indecision in a checkweigher is the narrow range between acceptable and reject weight limits where readings are too close to the tolerance boundary to classify confidently. It accounts for weighing uncertainty, vibration, or product variation, preventing false rejects or accepts.

Q: How do you calibrate checkweigher?

A: Stop the conveyor and clean the scale.

Place certified test weights on the weigh platform.

Adjust the system’s calibration parameters according to the known weights.

Verify readings across the operating range.

Record and validate the calibration per QA or GMP procedures.
Calibration should be performed regularly or after maintenance, relocation, or environmental change.