GERMANY – Eriez has introduced its X8-SF Simultaneous Frequency Metal Detector, expanding its PrecisionGuard X8 inspection platform with a system designed to improve metal contaminant detection in food products that are difficult to inspect using conventional metal detection technology.
The system is on display at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany, where Eriez is exhibiting from May 7 to 13.
Addressing product effect in food inspection
The X8-SF is built around simultaneous frequency technology, which allows the detector to transmit and receive multiple frequencies at the same time. In simple terms, this helps the system read a product more accurately when its moisture, salt content, temperature, or composition changes during processing.
These changes are often called “product effect.” Product effect happens when the food itself creates a signal that can interfere with metal detection. This is common in products such as fresh meat, poultry, dairy, and nutritionally fortified foods.
Eriez says the X8-SF is designed to reduce false rejects while maintaining sensitivity to ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless-steel contaminants.
“Product effect has long challenged processors trying to balance sensitivity with stability,” said Emmett Keim, Global Product Manager – Inspection Systems at Eriez.
“The X8-SF changes that equation by maintaining consistent detection performance, even when product composition or temperature varies.”
Built for demanding processing lines
The X8-SF forms part of Eriez’ wider X8 metal detector range, which includes tunnel, conveyor, liquid line, vertical form fill seal, pharmaceutical, and webline configurations. The company says the system is intended for in-line processing applications where space, accuracy, and inspection reliability are key operational requirements.
Like other models in the X8 line, the X8-SF features a touchscreen interface, hygienic construction, and integrated data capture to support traceability and compliance. Eriez’ X8 systems are also designed with stainless-steel construction and washdown capability for processing environments that require regular cleaning.
The system also includes Eriez’ Quality Retail Compliance Kit as standard. The kit provides automated performance verification, documented inspection records, and audit-ready reporting to help processors meet retailer and regulatory requirements.
Metal detection suppliers focus on fewer false rejects
The launch comes as inspection equipment suppliers continue targeting one of the food industry’s persistent production challenges: how to detect smaller contaminants without rejecting safe product unnecessarily.
False rejects can lead to product waste, extra investigation time, and production disruption. For products with high moisture, salt, or variable density, metal detection can be more difficult because the product itself may produce a strong signal.
Simultaneous frequency systems are designed to give the detector more information to separate the product signal from a possible contaminant signal.
Eriez says the X8-SF is intended to improve repeatable detection at the metal detector critical control point while reducing rejection caused by product effect variations.
Eriez expands its inspection portfolio
Founded in 1942 and headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, Eriez designs and manufactures separation, metal detection, x-ray inspection, flotation, and material handling equipment. The company operates through 12 wholly owned international subsidiaries and serves industries including food, packaging, mining, recycling, and aggregate processing.
The X8-SF launch adds to Eriez’ recent activity around its PrecisionGuard platform. In 2025, the company introduced an X8-C upgrade kit for legacy Xtreme Metal Detectors, designed to allow processors to update installed systems with newer electronics and user interface technology while retaining existing equipment where possible.