This vision system inspects the outer packaging of prepared meals, using a single Cognex In-Sight vision sensor, checking that the sell by and best before dates are correctly printed and in the correct place.
The system operation is from a central office-based interface which allows the production supervisor to select which product is to be run on any line in the packing hall. From this database the In-Sight sensor is set up ready for production.
Once set up, the In-Sight receives its trigger signals from a local photocell mounted on its line, and results of its inspection (Pass/Fail) are shown on a digital output used to stop the line.
Problems that can be solved by the system:
- Printer malfunctions or errors
- Shipping products with incorrect food labels
- Shipping food products to market which have the wrong sell by date or best before date, incurring punitive fines from the retailers
Features of the system:
- High performance, high resolution In-Sight vision sensor
- Robust camera housings to IP67
- Washdown LED lights
- Robust inspection tools to identify failure mode
- Virtually maintenance-free system
- Simple HMI showing packages to allow reject images to be displayed
- Simple interface to line PLC allowing rejected packages to be tracked through to reject stations
- Central database to control the vision systems in an entire packaging hall