SIDEMEKI side-view food X-ray inspection system for tall packages
- One or two X-ray generators with corresponding detectors and a published 200 W generator rating
- Maximum product height 270 mm and maximum width 125 mm without lead curtains or 155 mm with them
- One or two rejecters, with maximum product length 215 mm with one rejecter or 130 mm with two
- Conveyor speed 0.1–0.7 m/s
What is SIDEMEKI?
SIDEMEKI is a side-view food X-ray inspection system manufactured by Mekitec for tall packages such as bottles, cans, cartons and containers. Depending on the application, one or two X-ray views support foreign object detection and configured quality checks such as fill level and cap presence.
Detection performance is application-specific. Mekitec confirms it by testing the actual food, package, target foreign materials, line conditions and reject configuration.
SIDEMEKI™ provides X-ray quality control for tall packages, both liquids and solid foods alike, supporting pack-for-pack traceability. It makes primary packaging X-ray inspection available for side-view applications, such as PET bottles and containers.
SIDEMEKI™ – X-Ray Quality Control for Tall Products
The SIDEMEKI™ system is designed for production lines where the food is in packages that are taller than wider, such as bottles, cartons, containers and cans. Ensuring smooth production flow is essential with these packaging types, setting a higher expectation for the design of the inspection equipment.
SIDEMEKI™ can be configured with one or two X-ray generators, selected for the need of the product inspection. With tall products, the selected configuration provides the inspection coverage required for foreign object detection and for configured quality functions such as fill level and cap inspection.
Food X-ray inspection and quality-control functions
Foreign-object detection
The system creates an X-ray image and can be configured to detect foreign objects made of materials that create sufficient X-ray contrast, including metal, stone, glass, calcified bone and some dense plastics. Detectability depends on the object's material, size, shape, orientation and location as well as the food, package and line conditions.
MEKI AI quality checks
With MEKI AI, the published SIDEMEKI configuration supports fill-level and cap inspection in addition to foreign-object detection, with additional quality functions selected according to the application and validated for the actual product and package. These capabilities are particularly valuable for upright bottles, cans, cartons and high-density containers where fill level and cap presence directly impact product quality and brand protection.
Explore MEKI Assurance Intelligence inspection functions
How it works
Tall packages enter the inspection zone in a controlled upright position. One or two generator-detector pairs create the required side-view image or images, and the configured result is sent to one or two reject systems.
Technical Specifications
| Detection area | Maximum product height 270 mm; maximum product width 125 mm without lead curtains and 155 mm with them. Not a usable 155 x 270 mm rectangle — maximum width is height-dependent; see the detection envelope below. |
|---|---|
| Maximum product length | 215 mm with one rejecter, 130 mm with two rejecters. |
| Conveyor speed | 0.1 - 0.7m/s(1) |
| Conveyor motors | 2 x motor roller 230VAC, IP69K |
| Conveyor load capacity | Max. 70kg(2) |
| X-ray generators | 1 or 2 X-ray generators, 200W |
| X-ray leakage | less than 1 µSv/h |
| Detector | 1 or 2 detectors, linear scanner, resolution 0.4 mm |
| Software | Mekitec X-ray inspection System SW |
| Operating system | Windows 10 |
| Connectivity | 2 x USB, 1 x Ethernet |
| HMI | 15” Color TFT LCD Screen |
| Operation Temperature | 0–35° C ambient |
| Cooling | Optional 1000W air conditioner |
| Noise level | < 81.3 dB(A) |
| IP rating | IP65(3) |
| Relative humidity | 30-85%, non-condensing |
| System power supply | 110/240 VAC, 50-60Hz |
| Dimensions | Width: 3450mm Depth: 1325mm or 1625mm depending on the rejection bin(4) Height: 2360mm |
| Weight | 830kg, with cooling unit 880kg |
| Material | Stainless steel, brushed |
| Reject options | 1 rejecter: for foreign object detection and other quality functions like fill level and cap detection 2 rejecters: 1st for foreign object detection, 2nd for other quality functions Set-up will be selected based on the application |
| Rejection confirmation | Available as an option |
| Rejection box | Option 1: 700mm depth, 330mm width Option 2: 400mm depth, 330mm width |
| System conveyor | EU and FDA food use approved conveyor chain belt |
| Radiation protection | Meets EN 61010-02-091, FDA CFR 21 part 1020, 40 |
| Safety system | Safety Circuit CAT 3, Performance Level PL d |
| In-feed/out-feed options | Option 1: end-feed Option 2: side-feed |
- (1) Higher conveyor speed is possible depending on the application.
- (2) Load must be evenly distributed on the conveyors.
- (3) Air intakes (IP54) and optional cooling unit (IP32) require the use of protective cleaning covers.
- (4) When equipped with cooling unit, the depth is 1600mm or 1900mm
Specifications are based on the current published product data. Mekitec confirms the final configuration for each application.
Detection Area
Maximum product width changes with product height. The complete product must fit inside the envelope.
Maximum product width is 155 mm at 200 mm height and narrows to 90 mm at the maximum height of 270 mm.
View exact detection-envelope data
| Product height (mm) | Maximum product width (mm) |
|---|---|
| 270 | 90 |
| 260 | 100 |
| 248 | 110 |
| 237 | 120 |
| 226 | 130 |
| 215 | 140 |
| 205 | 150 |
| 200 | 155 |
Product Examples (W x H)
Questions and answers
What packages is SIDEMEKI designed to inspect?
SIDEMEKI is designed for tall and upright packages such as bottles, cans, cartons and containers that fit its side-view product envelope.
Can SIDEMEKI inspect fill level and caps?
Yes. The published SIDEMEKI configuration supports fill-level and cap inspection in addition to foreign-object detection. The software, acceptance criteria and reject configuration must be validated for the actual product.
Mekitec Oy, info@mekitec.com, www.mekitec.com
Disclaimer: All information is provided for information purposes only and shall not be considered as assured characteristics. The information and technical data presented in this document are subject to change. Customers should obtain and verify the latest relevant information before placing orders. If you have any questions related to the datasheet, please contact us via email or phone. Thank you.
Copyright 2023 Mekitec Ltd. All rights reserved
Key Features
Side-view inspection geometry
The system is designed for upright bottles, cans, cartons and containers.
One or two X-ray views
The published configuration supports one or two generators with corresponding detectors.
One or two reject systems
The reject arrangement is selected for the approved foreign-object and quality-inspection functions.
Separate reject paths when needed
One reject system can handle all configured results, or two can separate foreign-object rejects from other quality-control rejects.