MassXspect is an X-ray system for ultra-fast in-line weighing and advanced inspection of lightweight products. It is designed to perform non-contact measurement of the amount of material contained in a manufactured item, while also detecting foreign bodies, internal inhomogeneities and product anomalies. The system is particularly suitable for quality control on high-speed production lines, even for extremely light objects with a mass below 2 grams.
The system consists of an X-ray source and a linear semiconductor radiation sensor in CdTe/CdZnTe. The X-ray beam emitted by the source forms a radiative blade along the sensor axis; as the product passes through the beam, MassXspect analyzes the radiative absorption of the object and enables real-time estimation of the product weight, while simultaneously detecting internal defects or sub-millimetric contaminants.
The innovation of MassXspect lies in the use of a multi-pixel linear sensor operating in TDI, Time Delay Integration, mode and single-photon counting readout. This architecture maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio and enables high measurement sensitivity even under extremely fast acquisition conditions. Compared with traditional load-cell-based weighing systems, MassXspect is designed to operate on high-speed production lines, with transit speeds up to 1.5 m/s, allowing the detection of weight deviations below 1% and metallic contaminants down to 0.1 mm in homogeneous matrices.
The acquired information is transmitted via socket TCP/IP over Gigabit Ethernet RJ45, simplifying integration into existing industrial processes. The “C”-shaped mechanical structure, with an effective passage width of approximately 8 cm, enables easy installation along continuous production lines. The limited power of the X-ray source, combined with the high collimation of the radiative beam, allows the system to operate in compliance with current regulations on ionizing radiation.
Operation
Operation
At start-up, MassXspect® performs a sequence of internal checks and enters a standby state, waiting for the functional enable command. X-ray acquisition is started only when the system receives the operating consent from the production line or from the supervision system. In this condition, MassXspect® analyzes products in transit in real time, measuring the radiative absorption of the item and generating information related to the amount of material present, as well as the possible presence of internal inhomogeneities or foreign bodies.
During operation, the X-ray beam generated by the source forms a radiative blade aligned with the axis of the linear sensor. The product passes through this beam without any mechanical contact with the measuring system; the semiconductor sensor acquires the attenuated signal and, through TDI mode and single-photon counting readout, enables fast and sensitive measurements even on lightweight and moving objects. The processed information is made available via Ethernet interface, through a dedicated communication protocol, for integration with PLCs, quality control systems or supervision software.
The MassXspect® system must be installed in such a way as to ensure proper alignment between the X-ray source, the product passage area and the receiving sensor. The “C”-shaped mechanical structure simplifies integration along continuous production lines, keeping the transit area of the material to be inspected unobstructed. During use, the system should be protected from mechanical vibrations and shocks in order to ensure measurement stability and repeatable performance over time.
The system is cooled by internal ventilation. To ensure proper operation and stable performance, MassXspect® must be installed in an environment compatible with the expected operating conditions, avoiding dust accumulation, obstruction of airflow and excessive ambient temperatures. In the case of integration in demanding industrial environments, suitable mechanical protection and proper air conditioning of the installation area are recommended.
