Sesotec Tunnel metal detectors

Sesotec Tunnel Metal Detectors for the Food Industry

Sesotec tunnel metal detectors are designed for the reliable detection of magnetic and non-magnetic metal contaminants in packaged, unpackaged, piece and bulk food products transported through the detector opening. The systems can be used for incoming-goods inspection, during production, or as final inspection before products leave the production line.

Depending on the application and required detection performance, Sesotec offers single/dual-frequency, multi-frequency and quattro-simultaneous-frequency technology. The detector can be integrated into an existing conveyor or supplied as a complete VARICON+ conveyor inspection system with automatic rejection of contaminated products.

Model	Positioning	Technology	Frequency	Reference detection*	Typical use
GLS	Entry-level	Single / dual frequency	Up to 300 kHz	from Ø1.06 mm V2A	Standard piece and bulk goods
GLS MF	Standard	Multi-frequency	Up to 600 kHz	from Ø0.90 mm V2A	Varying products and product sizes
INTUITY NEX	High-end	Quattro-simultaneous frequency	Up to 900 kHz	from Ø0.79 mm V2A	Products with strong product effect
VARICON+	Complete conveyor system	GLS / GLS MF / INTUITY NEX	Detector dependent	Detector dependent	Complete inspection + rejection
UNICON+	Customized system	GLS / GLS MF / INTUITY NEX	Detector dependent	Detector dependent	Special conveyor and hygiene solutions

*These are Sesotec reference values under defined conditions rather than guaranteed sensitivity for every application. The brochure specifies the reference values on particular detector sizes; actual performance depends on the product, opening size, product effect and installation.

GLS – Entry-Level Tunnel Metal Detector

Single- or dual-frequency technology
Frequency bandwidth up to 300 kHz
348 available detector sizes
GENIUS ONE control unit
5″ colour touchscreen
Audit-Check for guided quality-control testing
Wide range of detector opening sizes
Suitable for packaged and unpackaged products
Available as standalone GLS or complete VARICON+ GLS system

Parameter	GLS
Technology	Single / dual frequency
Frequency bandwidth	Up to 300 kHz
Detection accuracy*	From Ø1.06 mm V2A
Control unit	GENIUS ONE
Display	5″ colour touchscreen
Protection class	IP65; optional display cover and detector shaft up to IP66/69K
Min/max tunnel sizes (W x H)	from 50 × 25 to 2800 × 250 mm
Available detector sizes	348
Ambient temperature	-10°C to +50°C
Product temperature	-20°C to +80°C

GLS MF – Multi-Frequency Tunnel Metal Detector

Multi-frequency technology
Frequency bandwidth up to 600 kHz
Reference detection from Ø0.90 mm V2A
5″ colour touchscreen
Compliance Mode
Sensitivity Prediction
Metal Type Optimization
Suitable for varying products and product sizes
Available standalone or as VARICON+ GLS MF
Optional higher IP protection for demanding environments

Parameter	GLS MF
Technology	Multi-frequency
Frequency bandwidth	Up to 600 kHz
Detection accuracy*	From Ø0.90 mm V2A
Display	5″ colour touchscreen
Protection class	IP65; optional display cover and detector shaft up to IP66/69K
Min/max tunnel sizes (WxH)	250 × 150 to 700 × 300 mm
Available sizes	73
Ambient temperature	-10°C to +50°C
Product temperature	-20°C to +80°C
Software	Audit Check, Compliance Mode and Sensitivity Prediction

INTUITY NEX – Next-Generation High-End Metal Detector

Quattro-simultaneous frequency technology
Four operating frequencies used in parallel
Frequency bandwidth up to 900 kHz
Reference detection from Ø0.79 mm V2A
7″ capacitive colour touchscreen
NEX control unit
IP69K detector protection
Optional THiNK artificial intelligence
Up to 10,000 product profiles
Modern OPC UA and PROFINET connectivity
Remote operation via mobile devices
Up to 20,000 locally stored events
Full compatibility with Insight.WEB

Parameter	INTUITY NEX
Technology	Quattro-simultaneous frequency
Frequency bandwidth	Up to 900 kHz
Detection accuracy*	From Ø0.79 mm V2A
Control unit	NEX Control Unit
Display	7″ capacitive colour touchscreen
Protection class	IP69K
Min/max tunnel sizes (WxH)	250 × 150 to 700 × 400 mm
Available sizes	56
Ambient temperature	-10°C to +40°C
Product temperature	-20°C to +80°C
THiNK AI	Optional
Compliance Package	Available
Connectivity	OPC UA, PROFINET, Insight.WEB

Hygienic IP69K Design

The INTUITY NEX coil has been completely redesigned and carries IP69K protection as standard. It is suitable for high-pressure and hot-water cleaning, while sloped surfaces, food-safe materials and an easy-to-clean construction are intended for demanding food-industry hygiene environments.

THiNK – AI-Powered Metal Detection

For products with particularly strong or fluctuating product effects, THiNK is available as an additional option for INTUITY NEX. The AI-based software models the product effect more precisely so the detection threshold can follow the actual product signal more closely, increasing detection sensitivity while reducing false rejects.

VARICON+ – Complete Conveyor Metal Detection Systems

The VARICON+ range combines a Sesotec tunnel metal detector with a stainless-steel conveyor, control system and optional automatic reject equipment. It is intended for both packaged and unpackaged food products and can be configured with GLS, GLS MF or INTUITY NEX detection technology.

VARICON+ F – Flat Belt Version

VARICON+ F uses a flat conveyor belt and is suited especially to dry and packaged products. Small-diameter idler pulleys and smooth transitions between conveyor sections support stable transportation, including smaller products.

VARICON+ L – Link Belt / Washdown Version

VARICON+ L uses a link belt designed for easier dismantling, cleaning and wet production environments. Maintenance-free sliding rollers are used for the link belt, and a separate configuration is available for harsh washdown applications with higher protection of the conveyor controls and detector components.

The new conveyor platform also introduces:

Tool-less removable guide rails
Quick conveyor-belt access
Link-belt system for easier cleaning
Redesigned hygienic frame without hollow profiles
Standard or hygienic fixed feet
Standard or hygienic swivel castors
PET-G protective cover
Optional removable protective cover
Conveyor widths of 300, 400, 500 or 600 mm
Adjustable working heights from approximately 790 to 960 mm

Parameter	VARICON+ GLS	VARICON+ GLS MF	VARICON+ INTUITY NEX
Technology	Single / dual frequency	Multi-frequency	Quattro-simultaneous
Frequency	Up to 300 kHz	Up to 600 kHz	Up to 900 kHz
Reference detection*	from Ø1.20 mm V2A	from Ø1.10 mm V2A	from Ø0.79 mm V2A
Display	5″	5″	7″ capacitive
Max. product size	450 × 200 mm	450 × 200 mm	500 × 350 mm
Belt load ≤400 mm width	20 kg	20 kg	20 kg
Belt load ≥500 mm width	50 kg	50 kg	50 kg
Reject options	Belt stop / pusher / air blast	Belt stop / pusher / air blast	Belt stop / pusher / air blast

UNICON+ – Customized Conveyor Metal Detection Systems

The Sesotec UNICON+ range is designed for applications where a standard VARICON+ configuration is not sufficient. It is based on VARICON+ conveyor technology but allows customized conveyor layouts and customer-specific reject systems.

Available with GLS, GLS MF or INTUITY NEX
Customized conveyor configurations
Maximum general-goods load up to 130 kg
Customer-specific reject systems
Special hygienic variants
Suitable for complex production-line integration
BRC, IFS and HACCP process conformity

Automatic Reject Systems

Complete VARICON+ and UNICON+ systems can automatically remove products in which metal contamination has been detected. Sesotec currently highlights air-blast and pusher systems on its food tunnel-detector page.

Reject system	Typical application
Pusher	Packaged and individual products
Air blast	Lightweight or sensitive products
Belt stop	Applications where the line should stop after detection
Customized reject system	Special UNICON+ applications

The pusher can separate contaminated products weighing approximately 5 kg or more, provided that adequate product spacing is maintained. Air blast uses short compressed-air pulses to reject lightweight products without mechanical clamping.