Dominic Bridge explores how the new generation of hygienic weighing for food production promises to change the landscape
Food manufacturers face growing pressure to deliver precision, maintain strict hygiene standards and prove full traceability across their production environments.
Minebea Intec’s MiNexx weighing portfolio, launched in August 2025, responds directly to these demands. The new range – including upgraded bench and floor scales and three advanced indicator models – replaces earlier Minebea Intec weighing platforms and introduces higher resolution, improved hygienic design and expanded digital integration.
Janine Nickel, product manager at Minebea Intec explains, “In the long term, MiNexx will replace the Combics, Maxxis 4/5 and X3 families. The previous generation needed to be technically updated, particularly with regard to its interface, compliance with current standards and cyber security capabilities. The new scales also address the need for a better user experience and benefit from wireless capabilities.”
Janine explained that the scales would suit a number of industries: “Users might come from pharma, food production, logistics, chemicals or a building materials background. We have already had success stories from UK and European installations since the August launch.”
Regulatory pressures and hygienic design expectations
For weighing systems, hygiene, documentation and traceability are key to meeting requirements set by food standards agencies such as the EHEDG, BRCGS, FSMA or HACCP. With the public health NSF certification and verified IP protection, MiNexx provides a solid foundation for use in food production.
“Additional features such as role-based user management, GMP print functionality, historical data storage, alibi memory and event logging support compliance with regulated environments. Even though some schemes – such as EHEDG – no longer offer product certification, our solutions are well equipped to meet the requirements, and we are confident that MiNexx fulfils them.”
How the MiNexx technology works
Each MiNexx system begins with a high-precision load cell that converts mechanical force into an electrical signal. This signal is processed by the c, m and l indicators, which evaluate the data, display the measurement and forward it to higher-level systems. The indicators can also run local applications such as batching, tolerance checking, recipe guidance or piece counting.
MiNexx also offers impressive connectivity. The platform supports a broad suite of industrial communications, allowing it to operate as a standalone scale or as a fully integrated node within automated lines. In many installations, the bench or floor scale becomes part of a conveyor or filling system, where weight data continuously flows to PLCs, SCADA systems or MES platforms. This enables automated corrections, reduces product giveaway and enhances batch documentation.
Communication interfaces
The most commonly used interface is Ethernet with Modbus TCP, followed by Profinet and Ethernet/IP. Wireless interfaces are used mainly in mobile applications, which are less frequent. WLAN is widely used as an additional service interface, allowing software updates without disconnecting system cabling. Bluetooth barcode scanners are popular because they offer operator mobility and avoid cable damage.
“Integration with PLC systems is very common, and connections to MES or ERP platforms are increasing owing to paperless workflows. OPC UA adoption is still emerging, but demand for secure, encrypted communication is rising—making OPC UA our fastest-growing interface.”
Janine added: “Minebea Intec is strongly committed to cybersecurity and is currently implementing all necessary measures to meet the latest requirements. Beyond that, improving usability and serviceability remains a key focus. Features such as event logging, historical data storage and the service report already support in-depth device analysis and enable fast troubleshooting.”
Error handling and intervention
MiNexx indicators include multi-tier user access, password protection and secure data logging. These features are increasingly essential as manufacturers expand the digital footprint of their plants.
Weight deviations can have major implications, from inaccurate portioning to mis-dosed allergen ingredients. When MiNexx detects an out-of-tolerance value or internal fault, it can raise alarms, pause a process, trigger reject mechanisms, or prompt operator action.
MiNexx displays alarms or messages on the screen and can trigger specific functions depending on the alarm type. User management can be configured so that only defined user groups are authorised to acknowledge alarms. All alarms are recorded through the event-logging system.
What came before – and why MiNexx matters
Prior generations of weighing systems often operated independently from plant-wide digital systems, relying on manual data logging or limited communications. As food plants have evolved toward automation, fully traceable audits and data-driven quality control, the limitations of those systems have become clear.
MiNexx improves on earlier approaches by offering higher measurement resolution and faster signal evaluation; more open hygienic design for shorter cleaning times; flexible interfaces for digitalised, automated plants; secure user management and audit-ready event logs; and compatibility with quality and ERP environments. These features position MiNexx not just as a measurement device but as an embedded component of plant-wide process control.
Future directions for industrial weighing
The next phase of development in weighing technology aligns with broader manufacturing trends: IoT-enabled sensors, predictive maintenance, machine-learning-based drift detection, increased robotic integration, and more robust cybersecurity requirements. As plants become more interconnected, weighing equipment will be expected to self-monitor, predict failures and integrate seamlessly with automated decision-making tools.
For more information visit: www.minebea-intec.com/en/
