Hygiene begins long before cleaning starts

How weighing and inspection technologies actively enable hygiene.

In the Food, Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics industries, hygiene is not an option, but a prerequisite for safe products and stable processes. Modern weighing and inspection technologies make a decisive contribution to this: they ensure correct filling quantities, detect foreign bodies and support manufacturers in reliably maintaining high quality standards. At the same time, the systems used must themselves meet the highest hygiene requirements - so that they can be cleaned quickly and economically without residue.

The basis for this is the hygienic design. Smooth stainless steel surfaces, rounded geometries, self-draining constructions and the absence of inaccessible spaces reduce the risk of microbiological contamination right from the start. "Hygiene doesn't just start with the cleaning process, it starts on the drawing board," says Nils Hubrich, Product Manager at Minebea Intec. "Risks can only be permanently minimised if the design and choice of materials are right from the start." This results in technology that protects, reduces downtimes and makes hygiene requirements manageable.

EHEDG and NSF: two perspectives, one goal

Clear guidelines are essential in hygiene-sensitive Industries. In Europe, the recommendations of the EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) provide the design framework. They describe how machines, systems and components must be designed to prevent contamination and enable effective cleaning - from surface finishes to hygienic sealing and welding concepts.

In the USA, the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) takes on a different role: it tests and certifies products on the basis of binding standards and thus confirms compliance with regulatory requirements, for example with regard to materials, product safety and manufacturing. Together, EHEDG and NSF provide a complete picture - from hygienic design to standard-compliant implementation for international markets.

Hygienically designed weighing systems

With the MiNexx^®product series, Minebea Intec covers a wide range of industrial weighing applications. The MiNexx^®Weight indicators record measurement signals highly accurately and control both simple weighing processes and complex applications such as filling or fill quantity control. In combination with the MiNexx^®3000 Weighing Platforms, which can be used as bench and floor scales, a powerful system is created for a wide range of requirements - from light loads to robust industrial applications in the high-load range.

A key feature of the MiNexx^®3000 Weighing Platforms is their consistently hygienic design. The open, self-draining design with minimised exposed horizontal surfaces prevents product residues from accumulating. "Good hygienic design can be recognised by the fact that dirt cannot accumulate in the first place," says Hubrich. "This reduces cleaning effort and increases process reliability at the same time." Hygienically designed screw connections without exposed threads in the product contact zone also help to minimise contamination risks in a targeted manner and prevent impurities from accumulating in the first place.

Surfaces as a hygienic success factor

Another focus is on the surface treatment of the Material used. The MiNexx^®3000 Weighing Platforms utilise satin-finished stainless steel surfaces that combine a homogeneous structure with high robustness. With a surface roughness of just 0.8 µm, the surfaces are particularly easy to clean and at the same time resistant to the mechanical stresses of everyday production. "Compared to electropolished surfaces, satinised structures are more robust in everyday use and just as reliable in terms of hygiene," explains Hubrich. "This is a clear advantage, especially under real production conditions."

The MiNexx^®Weight indicators also follow this approach. Stainless steel fronts with flush-mounted integrated front foil avoid edges and gaps, while high protection classes such as IP 69K enable safe high-pressure and wet cleaning. Products are NSF-certified and have been developed in accordance with EHEDG requirements - clear evidence of Minebea Intec's High hygiene standards.

Hygienic design also in inspection technology

Hygienic design principles also play a central role in Vessel scales and inspection systems. With the Novego^®weighing module, Minebea Intec shows how hygienic design can be realised down to the last detail. The integrated mounting kit consisting of 360° restraint, lift-off protection and tilt protection avoids additional transitions and contact surfaces, while minimised horizontal surfaces, low surface roughness and FDA-compliant materials support easy cleaning.

Inspection technology - such as the Flexus^®checkweighers - also focusses on open designs without hollow bodies, reduced contact surfaces and good accessibility. This facilitates inspection and cleaning and increases process reliability during ongoing production.

Hygiene as the basis for future-proof processes

Hygienic design is far more than just a question of constructional detail. It forms the basis for safe, stable and efficient production processes in hygienically sensitive Industries. Thinking about hygiene from the outset reduces risks, shortens cleaning and downtimes and creates trust - among auditors, customers and, ultimately, consumers.

Modern weighing and inspection technologies make a decisive contribution to this. They combine precise measurement technology with constructive hygiene concepts and make cleanliness manageable - day after day, process after process. In this way, hygiene does not become a downstream obligation, but an integral part of sustainable production.