Quality control equipment is a regulatory and net-content requirement, not an optional line item — and a combined checkweigher + metal detector (typically $8,000-$35,000 for an in-line unit) protects against both government penalties and consumer safety incidents. Lintyco's LTC520 is referenced here as a quality-control integration point; standalone checkweigher + metal detector units come from specialists (Mettler-Toledo, Ishida, Loma, Anritsu). The combined unit sits at the end of the packaging line and rejects any package outside weight tolerance or with foreign metal contamination.
CapEx drivers: (1) speed (50-400 bpm), (2) load cell accuracy (±0.1g to ±1g), (3) metal detector aperture size, (4) reject mechanism (pusher, air-blast, drop-arm). Annual maintenance runs 6-10% of CapEx — load cell calibration and metal detector sensitivity validation dominate.
Cost Breakdown
CapEx → running cost
| Cost Component | Typical Range |
| Capital expenditure (CapEx) | $8,000 - $35,000 |
| Annual maintenance | $600 - $2,800 |
| Energy consumption | 1.0 - 4.0 kWh/hour |
| Labor per shift | 0 (automated QC) |
Benchmarks at a Glance
2026 data
Price Range
$8,000 - $35,000
Industry Note
Checkweigher ROI runs 8-12 months on high-value products (coffee, protein powder) where ±0.5% giveaway savings pays the unit back fast. On commodity products (rice, sugar, salt), ROI extends to 14-18 months.
Buying Decision Factors
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Speed tier: 50-150 bpm units ($8-18k) for small to mid volume. 150-300 bpm units ($18-28k) for high-volume food lines. 300-400+ bpm units ($25-35k+) for beverage and high-speed packaging. Match to your fastest line speed.
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Weighing accuracy: Standard accuracy: ±0.5-1g. High-precision: ±0.1-0.5g (for small or premium products like pharmaceuticals, premium coffee). Higher accuracy reduces product giveaway but costs more. Calculate giveaway savings vs CapEx premium.
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Metal detector aperture: Aperture size (e.g., 300×150mm) must fit your largest package plus 50mm clearance. Too small = jam; too large = sensitivity loss. Ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless detection sensitivity varies by aperture.
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Reject mechanism: Pusher reject ($1-3k) for sturdy packages. Air-blast reject ($1-2k) for light packages at high speed. Drop-arm reject ($2-5k) for fragile or heavy products. Choose by package type and line speed.
Products That Use a Checkweigher + Metal Detector
Cross-linked selectors
Frequently Asked Questions
Combined checkweigher + metal detector, or separate units?
Combined units ($12-35k) save space and integration cost. Separate units ($8-18k each, total $16-36k) offer flexibility and easier service. For most food lines, combined is preferred. For pharma and high-speed beverage, separate units often win.
What weighing accuracy do I need?
Standard: ±0.5-1g for most food (legal tolerance ±2-5%). High-precision: ±0.1-0.5g for small/premium products (pharma, premium coffee, spices). Calculate giveaway savings: ±0.5% on a $5 product at 60 bpm saves $4,500/year in product giveaway.
How does metal detector aperture affect sensitivity?
Smaller aperture = higher sensitivity. A 200×100mm aperture detects 0.8mm ferrous; a 400×300mm aperture detects only 2.5mm ferrous. Always size aperture to your largest package + 50mm clearance. Larger apertures cost more for less sensitivity.
What metals can a metal detector find?
Ferrous (easiest), non-ferrous (medium), and stainless steel (hardest — non-magnetic). Most modern detectors find all three at 0.8-2.5mm depending on aperture. For pharma-grade detection (0.3mm), use X-ray inspection ($40-100k+) instead.
How often should I calibrate my checkweigher?
Auto-calibration daily (most units do this automatically). Manual verification with certified test weights every shift (5-10 minutes). Full recalibration by service technician quarterly ($200-500 per visit). Traceable calibration records required for audits.
Why are good packages being rejected?
Causes: (1) checkweigher vibration from nearby equipment, (2) airflow from HVAC, (3) package unstable on belt, (4) metal detector picking up metal in package film or product (e.g., iron in fortified flour). Isolate the unit vibrationally and check product phase.
Do I need a checkweigher for legal compliance?
In most markets (US FDA, EU, China), yes for net-content compliance on packaged goods sold by weight. The average weight must meet the labeled weight per 'average weight system' rules (e.g., EU e-mark, US NIST Handbook 133). Records must be kept for audits.