CIX100 Inspection System

The CIX100 inspection system is a dedicated, turnkey solution for manufacturers who maintain the highest quality standards for the cleanliness of manufactured components. Quickly acquire, process, and document technical cleanliness inspection data to comply with company and international standards.

Paired with PRECiV™ CIX software, the CIX100 delivers reliable technical cleanliness analysis at industry-leading speed, making it ideal for high-throughput labs. The interface guides users through each step, so even novice operators can acquire cleanliness data quickly and easily. Compliant results are customized to company and industry standards, including ISO 16232 and VDA 19, in just one click.

CIX100 Inspection System

Simplify Your Technical Cleanliness

Cleanliness of components, fluids, and parts is vital to every stage of manufacturing, where even micron-sized particles can shorten component life or compromise performance. Strict international and national directives define how contamination must be measured and documented, demanding detailed insight into particle counts, size distribution, and characteristics.

The CIX100 inspection system brings confidence to this process—a turnkey, high-throughput solution that meets modern cleanliness standards with ease. With advanced deep-learning AI, it takes particle identification further, revealing insights that help teams protect quality from the start.

Technical cleanliness analysis workflow

Standard process for cleanliness inspection: preparation (steps 1–3) and investigation (steps 4–6)

CIX100 technical cleanliness inspection system

Reliable Turnkey Solution for Technical Cleanliness

The CIX100 is a turnkey solution designed to meet the needs of automated cleanliness inspections. Each component is optimized for accuracy, reproducibility, repeatability, and seamless integration for reliable data in a high-throughput system. Automation of critical tasks helps speed up inspections while minimizing human errors and the risk of contaminating the sample.

Download the Brochure

Excellent Optical Quality

Our UIS2 objectives provide high optical performance for excellent measurement and analysis accuracy. A dedicated light source maintains a consistent color temperature optimized for cleanliness inspection. This performance supports fast inspections of both circular and rectangular sample areas.

UIS2 objectives used for technical cleanliness analysis
Mechanical stability of the CIX100 inspection system

Mechanical Stability

The optical path alignment, motorized nosepiece, and camera are protected by a cover to prevent accidental modifications. For greater stability, all moving parts have been eliminated from the optical light path.

Regular System Verification

The preconfigured and pre-calibrated system has reminders for automatic system self-checks with the integrated calibration slide that helps maintain regular system verification.

Integrated calibration slide used in technical cleanliness analysis

Reproducibility and Repeatability

The preconfigured and precalibrated system, user rights management, and regular system self-checks help ensure that the settings are correct for reproducible inspection data independent of the operator or instrument. As a result, multiple departments and sites can apply the same quality standards at different locations.

Versatility for Common Sampling Methods

The CIX100 supports sampling techniques with circular or rectangular inspection areas. Choose from holders with white or black backgrounds for filter membranes with a diameter of 25 mm, 47 mm, and 55 mm; holders for tape lift sampling; holders with a flat surface for metallurgy applications; and holders for particle traps.

Circular and rectangular sample holders used for technical cleanliness analysis

Top and middle: circular sample holders with white and black backgrounds for filter membranes with diameters of 25 mm, 47 mm, and 55 mm. Bottom left: circular sample holder for particle traps. Bottom right: rectangular sample holder for tape lift sampling.*

*Availability of the tape lift holder may vary by region.

Intuitive Guidance

PRECiV CIX software for technical cleanliness analysis

Easy for Every Experience Level

PRECiV™ CIX software provides step-by-step guidance, making technical cleanliness inspections easy for all experience levels. Intuitive workflows and user rights management improve confidence in results while reducing cycle time, cost per test, and user errors. The result is a system optimized for productivity and high-quality standards.

Guided Workflows

An intuitive workflow guides users through three steps: Inspect Sample, Review Results, and Create Report. From scanning the sample to creating compliant reports, maximized automation improves ease of use so that users of all levels can perform efficient inspections and produce reliable data.

Guided workflow for technical cleanliness analysis

Intuitive workflow with large buttons that are easy to click with a mouse or the touch-screen monitor. Workflow steps from left to right: Mount Sample, Edit Settings, Run Inspection, Review Results, and Create Report.

User Rights Management Tools

Administrators can control which users have access to different parts of the system, helping novice users stay on task. It also prevents accidental modification of critical parameters, such as calibration and data selected for the automatically generated report.

User rights management tools for the cleanliness analysis workflow

PRECiV CIX microscope mode

Example of a material analysis solution used in PRECiV CIX software

Advanced Microscopy

PRECiV CIX microscope mode* enables you to leave the dedicated cleanliness inspection workflow to perform microscopic imaging, including extended focus imaging (EFI) and 2D measurement.

Expand the microscope mode capabilities with optional material analysis solutions, such as Grain Sizing, Cast Iron, and Phase Analysis. As needed, these solutions can be extended with special functions customized to individual users or applications.

*Microscope mode is an optional solution in PRECiV CIX.

Fast Analysis

Live analytics of metallic and non-metallic particles

Fast Live Analytics and Reviews

With an innovative polarization method, CIX100 delivers image acquisition and precise live analytics of both reflective (metallic) and non-reflective (non-metallic) particles, ranging from 2.5 µm up to 42 mm, all in a single scan.

Counted and sorted particles are displayed live and sorted into size classes during the scan, supporting fast decisions in case of a failed test.

All-in-One Scan for High Throughput

The innovative polarization method based on wavelength separation and color detects both reflective (metallic) and non-reflective (non-metallic) particles in a single scan, offering multiple benefits for high-throughput labs:

The CIX100’s illumination system separates reflective (metallic) and non-reflective (nonmetallic) particles in a single scan.

The innovative illumination system separates reflective (metallic) and non-reflective (non-metallic) particles in a single scan.

Review Particles in Real Color

Activate real color mode to view particles in their actual colors, providing more information to identify the particle type as metallic or non-metallic.

The all-in-one scan shows all reflective particles as blue in polarization, indicating they’re metallic. In real color mode, the blue color of reflective particles is omitted, revealing the true colors of all particles in the brightfield image. Materials that are actually blue remain blue, while metals show their metallic shine and the reflections typical for the material.

These helpful visuals help you better understand the nature of each particle and quickly confirm the particle type.

Left: Particle as seen by the CIX100 system during detection and analysis. Right: The same particle as seen in real color.

Particle as seen by the system during detection and analysis. The blue color indicates that this particle is metallic. The same particle as seen during the review mode in real color using the U-ANT filter and the color correction mode. The particle is confirmed as metallic.

Large particles are automatically combined and analyzed.

Large particles are automatically combined and analyzed.

Intelligent Handling of Particles

The CIX100 offers live processing and classification of both small and large particles (2.5 μm up to 42 mm) according to international standards and automatically reconstructs images of large particles. Dark particles on a bright background and vice versa can be analyzed.

Identification of Filter Coverage

The sample overview image is created at the start of the sample inspection and displays the entire filter at low magnification, enabling the identification of filter coverage or particle clusters before the inspection begins. The system automatically informs users if the filter assignment is higher than desired so they can react quickly.

The overview image identifies filter occupancy and particle clusters.

The overview image identifies filter occupancy and particle clusters.

Direct result feedback on the CIX100 inspection system

Direct Result Feedback

Contaminants are automatically analyzed and sorted into size classes defined by the selected standard, then color coded to indicate any class exceeding a preset limit. Acceptable particle counts per size class are displayed, enabling early sample validation (OK) or rejection (NOK), even before the entire membrane is scanned.

As required by the electric mobility and medical device industries, PRECiV CIX software lets you evaluate the approval limits for individual particle types. An acoustic signal can be switched on to notify users when the approval reads NOK or the inspection is complete.

Analysis Beyond Classical Algorithms

With integrated TruAI deep-learning technology, the CIX100 can analyze images beyond classical algorithms. Apply a trained neural network to your samples for a more reproducible and robust analysis. The TruAI solution enables you to distinguish between different particle types, such as reflecting and non-reflecting.

TruAI solution on the CIX100 inspection system
Intuitive tools to revise cleanliness inspection data on the CIX100 system

Data Insights for Faster Decisions

The CIX100 combines intuitive tools to revise inspection data with a fast, guided particle review. One-click reclassification ensures flexibility and supports international standards. Thumbnail images of detected contaminants link directly to dimensional measurements for easy data review.

Contaminant results update automatically across all views and size classes during the review process. This saves time with clear representations of all relevant inspection results.

Trend Analysis

Data statistical analysis can be performed over time and graphically displayed.

Trend analysis on the CIX100 inspection system
Inspection data at a glance on the CIX100 inspection system

Inspection Data at a Glance

  • Clear arrangement of images, data, and results for immediate decisions on reprocessing
  • At-a-glance display of inspection data in various selectable views
  • Images of particles are organized from largest to smallest for all types of particles (reflective or non-reflective)

Review, Revise, and Recalculate

A manual check and review of the results is generally recommended in technical cleanliness inspection, and the interface makes interactive correction of the particle data quick and easy.

Interactive correction of the particle data on the CIX100 inspection system
Height measurement solution on the CIX100 technical cleanliness inspection system

Height Measurement Solution

The CIX100 offers an extended focus imaging (EFI) function that captures images of contaminants and particles whose height extends beyond the objective’s depth of focus and stacks them together to create an all-in-focus image.

Further enhance the CIX100 with our height measurement solution, comprised of a 20X objective* and special software, to fulfill the VDA 19 requirements for height measurements. For selected particles, the measurement is performed either automatically or manually. The calculated value is listed as an additional data field in the results sheet.

*Must be ordered separately from the height measurement solution license.

Compliant Results

Compliant and customizable reports for technical cleanliness analysis

Reports can be adapted to individual needs.

One-Click Digital Documentation

Generate professional reports in one click with predefined templates that comply with industry standards, such as ISO and VDA, and easily adapt templates and reports to meet company regulations.

Export the results to Microsoft Word or directly export as a PDF for easy data sharing over email. The CIX100 can also archive reports and data for recordkeeping and trend analysis.

Easy Data Export

Create reports in Microsoft Word or PDF format, depending on your preference, and easily export the particle and classification results and trend analysis to Microsoft Excel. Report file sizes are optimized for efficient data sharing.

Individual images of contaminants can be taken and processed for manual measurement confirmation and improved documentation.

Individual images of contaminants can be taken and processed for manual measurement confirmation and improved documentation.

Long-term data storage of cleanliness inspection data

Long-Term Data Storage

Quickly access all archived samples and their associated data and reports for revision or distribution. All inspection data and reports are automatically saved and archived for a certain period of time.

Specifications

Hardware

Microscope CIX100 Motorized focus
  • Coaxial motorized fine focus with three-axis joystick
  • Focus stroke 25 mm
  • Fine stroke 100 μm / rotation
  • Maximum height of stage holder mounting: 40 mm
  • Focus speed 200 μm/sec
  • Software autofocus enabled
  • Customizable multipoint focus map
Illumination
  • Built-in LED illumination
  • Innovative illumination mechanism with simultaneous detection of reflecting and non-reflecting particles
  • Light intensity controllable by software
Imaging device
  • Color CMOS USB 3.0 camera
  • On chip pixel size 2.2 × 2.2 µm
Sample size
  • The standard sample is a filter membrane with a diameter of 47 mm; filter holders with a 25 mm or 55 mm membrane diameter or customized sample holders are available
Nosepiece Motorzied type Motorized nosepiece
  • Six-position motorized nosepiece with three preinstalled UIS2 objectives
  • PLAPON 1.25X used for preview
  • MPLFLN 5X used for detecting particles bigger than 10 µm
  • MPLFLN 10X used for detecting particles bigger than 2.5 µm
Software controlled
  • The image magnification and relationship between pixel and size is known at every moment
  • Selected objectives are used at selected steps in the measurement process, and the objectives are automatically positioned
Stage Motorized stage X, Y Motorized stage X,Y
  • Stepper motors controlled movement
  • Maximum range: 130 × 79 mm
  • Max speed: 240 mm/s (4 mm ball screw pitch)
  • Repeatability: < 1 µm
  • Resolution: 0.01 µm
  • Controllable with a three-axis joystick
Software controlled
  • Scanning speed depends on the used magnification; at 10x the scanning time is less than 10 minutes
  • Stage alignment is performed during factory assembly
Specimen holder Sample holder
  • Membrane holder is specially designed to avoid an unwanted rotation of the membrane during the mounting
  • The membrane is mechanically flattened by the membrane holder
  • No tool is needed to fix the cover
  • Sample holder for filter membranes with diameters of 25 mm, 47 mm, and 55 mm
  • Sample holder for particle traps, particle trap consumables, and tape lift samples
Particle standard device (PSD)
  • Reference sample used to validate the system measurement
  • Sample used in the check system's built-in function for controlling the proper function of the CIX100
  • The PSD is always assigned slot 2 on the stage
Stage insert 2-position stage insert
  • Stage insert dedicated to the correct positioning of the sample holder and the PSD
Controller Workstation High-performance pre-installed workstation
  • HP Z4G4, Windows 10, 64-bit Professional (English)
  • 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, and 4 TB data storage
  • 2 GB video adapter
  • Microsoft Office 2019 (English) installed
  • Networking capabilities, English qwerty keyboard, optical mouse 1000 dpi
Add-in boards
  • Motorized controller, RS232 seria,l and USB 3.0
Language selection
  • Operating system and Microsoft Office default language can be changed by the user
Touch panel display 23-inch slim screen
  • Resolution 11920×1080 optimized for use with the CIX software
Power Rating
  • AC adapter (2), controller and microscope frame (4 plugs necessary)
  • Input: 100–240 V AC 50/60 Hz, 10 A
Power consumption
  • Controller: 700 W; monitor: 56 W; microscope: 5.8 W; control box 7.4 W
  • Total: 769.2 W
Drawing Dimensions (W × D × H) Approx. 1300 mm × 800 mm × 510 mm (51.2 in. × 31.5 in. × 20.1 in.)
Weight 44 kg (97 lb)

System Environment Limitations

Normal use Temperature 10 °C to 35 °C (50 °F to 95 °F)
Humidity 30 to 80%
For safety regulations Environment Indoor use
Temperature 5 ℃ to 40 ℃ (41 °F to 104 °F)
Humidity
  • Maximum 80% (up to 31 °C [88 °F]) (no condensation)
  • Usable humidity declines linearly as temperature rises above 31 °C (88 °F)
  • 70% (34 °C [93 °F]) to 60% (37 °C [98 °F]) to 50% (40 °C [104 °F])
Altitude Up to 2,000 m (6,562 ft)
Level of horizon Up to ±2°
Power supply and voltage stability ±10%
Pollution level (IEC60664) 2
Overall voltage category (IEC60664) II

Software

Software PRECiV CIX 3.1
  • Dedicated workflow software for technical cleanliness inspection
Languages GUI
  • GUI: English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean
Online help
  • Online help: English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean
License management
  • Software license activated by license card (already activated at installation)
User management
  • System can be connected to a network for domain administration
  • The range of functions can be selected depending on the authenticated user.
Live image Display in color mode
  • Particles are analyzed with blue color for metallic ones and original color for non-metallic ones.
Window fit method
  • The image is always displayed in a full view.
Live detection
  • Particles are analyzed as soon as they are captured for improved speed.
  • User can stop the process if the measurement result is not good.
Live classification
  • Particles are classified as soon as they are detected.
  • Particle size classes are identified on the user interface during the live acquisition.
Microscope mode
  • Microscope mode can be accessed for microscopic imaging.
  • Optional access to material analysis solutions (not included).
Image capture and manual measurements Collecting user snapshots
  • In the review mode it is possible to acquire single images from any position on the sample, as well as acquire images in the live observation mode (from direct image) or the sample view mode (from recorded data).
  • Images can be stored in .tif, .jpg, or .png files with a standard resolution of 1000 × 1000 pixels.
  • Snapshots can be linked to detected particle and used in the analytical report afterwards.
  • Particle snapshots can be automatically acquired in EFI (extended focus imaging) mode.
  • Recordings taken in EFI mode can be used in the analytical report.
Manual measurements
  • It is possible to perform arbitrary distance measurements on an acquired snapshot.
  • Arbitrary measurements can be renamed, and the color can be colored.
  • Arbitrary measurements and a scale bar are burned in the image when stored.
Hardware control XY motorized stage
  • Joystick operation and control by software
  • Inspection of circular and rectangular sample areas
  • Automatic or manual repositioning on selected particles
Motorized nosepiece
  • Selection by software only
Motorized focusing
  • Control by joystick
  • Software autofocus available
  • Predictive autofocus using multipoint focus map
Check system System verification
  • System is verified by measuring the Particle Standard Device parameters.
  • OK or NOK quality value is produced.
Selectable objective
  • Check system can be performed only with the working objective (one objective should be selected at least).
  • Check system is performed with either 5X or 10X objectives, or both.
Technical cleanliness standards Supported standards:
  • ASTM E1216-11:2016, ISO 4406:2021; ISO 4407:1999; ISO 4407:2002 [Cumulative and Differential]; ISO 11218:2017; ISO 12345:2013; ISO 14952:2003; ISO 16232-10:2007 (A, N,

    and V); ISO 16232:2018 (A, N, and V); ISO 21018:2008; DIN 51455:2020 [70% and 85%];

    NAS 1638:1964; NF E 48-651:1986; NF E 48-655:1989; SAE AS4059:2020; VDA 19.1:2015 (A, N, and V); VDA 19.2:2015

Fully compliant to VDA

19.1 and VDA 19.2

recommendations

  • Thresholds are automatically set at the VDA recommend values.
Identification of particle family
  • Particles can be classified by particle types (non-reflecting, reflecting, fibers, or others).
  • Possibility to type the detected particles based on deep-learning (AI) technology.
Customized standards
  • User defined standards can be defined easily.
  • Particle measurement parameters include filiform particle size and compact particle size according to DT 55-83.
Inspection configuration
  • The system enables users to load, define, copy, rename, delete, and save an inspection configuration.
  • Standards and report templates can also be stored and recalled.
  • It is possible to invert the detection threshold to detect bright particles on a dark background.
  • It is possible to acquire several samples in a sequence.
  • It is possible to set approval limits for individual particle types
  • It is possible to extended by CCCs for the different particle types.
  • Each sample can be inspected with a particluar configuration.
Particle tile view Displays the detected particles in tile for improved navigation
  • Every particle position can be retrieved by double clicking on the tile.
  • Each tile is adapted to the actual particle size.
Store the full membrane The complete filter is stored
  • Offline analysis enables users to select a different standard for the results display.
Data export Save data
  • Inspection data can be exported to an Excel (.xlsx) table.
  • All tables available in the software can also be exported into Excel.
Trend analysis Trend analysis over several samples (Built-in SQC tool)
  • Data per size classes can be displayed.
  • Data can be plotted over time, sample, measurement ID.
  • Scale can be selected (log-normal, log-log).
  • Data points can be extracted and exported to a spreadsheet.
  • Table can be exported in Q-DAS (.dfq) format. All tables available in the software can also be exported into Excel.
Particle editing Particles can be edited during the revision process.
  • Add, delete, merge, or split particles with lines or polyline.
  • Change the particle type.
Dynamic reports Professional analytical reports can be produced by using Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 Home and Business (license not included)
  • Templates are precisely customizable
  • Users can choose to put the pictures after the table or keep all pictures grouped together when selecting different particle families.

Height Measurement Solution

PV-CIX-S-HM Automatic or manual height measurement of selected particles
  • Optional software solution that drives the motorized focus drive from top to bottom of selected particles. The particle height is then processed from the difference between the top and the bottom Z-coodinate.
  • A 20X MPLFLN objective must be ordered separately.
  • It is possible to select multiple particles for automatic height measurement at several positions.

Advanced Microscopy Functions

●: Standard Feature; ○: Optional Feature

Image Acquisition
Extended image enhancement using HDR
Live image enhancement using Live AI
Video recording
Automatic EFI using motorized devices, including quick scan mode
Automatic panorama using motorized devices
Sample navigation and position list management using motorized devices
Combination of automatic EFI and panorama using motorized devices
Image and Customization Tools
User interface with functions grouped by purpose
Customizable user interface (EZ mode)
Overlay information layer (scale bar, cross hair, digital reticle)
On-screen magnification
Macro Manager
Measurements/Image Analysis
Basic interactive measurement (point measurement, arbitrary line, horizontal line, vertical line, polyline, 3-point circle, rectangle, rotated rectangle, 3-point angle, 4-point angle, perpendicular line, parallel line distance, polygon area, XY distance, distance between two crosslines, circle to circle distance, linear ruler)
3D line profile measurement and simple 3D measurement
Advanced interactive measurement, including auto-edge detection and auxiliary lines (angle ruler, 2-point circle, rotated ellipse, closed polygon, magic wand, interpolated polygon, multiple perpendicular lines, asymmetry lines, throat thickness)
Neural network labeling
Image enhancement filters (matrix filters, color and contrast adjustment)
Reporting
Data export to an Evident workbook
Data export to Microsoft Excel
Report and presentation creation in Microsoft 365 or 2021
Optional Modules
Count and Measure
Cast Iron
Grain Sizing
Non-Metallic Inclusions
Layer Thickness
Porosity
Particle Distribution
Coating Thickness
Phase Analysis
Neural Network Training
Dendrite Arm Spacing
Measurement Sequence
Chart comparison on select standards for grain size, graphite sizing, non-metallic inclusions, and hard metals

Environmental Law and Regulations

Europe Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU
REACH Regulation No. 1907/2006
Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC
WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
USA UL 61010-1:2010 Edition 3
FCC 47 CFR Part15 SubPartB
Canada CAN/CSA-C22.2 (No. 61010-1-12)
Australia Radio communications Act 1992, Telecommunications Act 1997
Regulation on Energy conservation AS/NZS 4665-2005
Japan Electrical Appliances and Material Safety Act (PSE)
Korea Electrical Appliances Safety Control Act
Regulation on Energy Efficiency Labeling and Standards
Regulations for EMC and Wireless Telecommunication (Notice 2913-5)
China China RoHS
China PL Law
Regulation for Manuals

Resources

Blog

Videos

Product Resources