Packaging technology

In the food industry, packaging is often automated and handled by robots. These robots pick up food from the conveyor belt and place it into the correct packaging. To achieve this, a vision camera is needed to accurately determine the X and Y positions of the food on the belt and send this information to the robot. At the same time, the system should verify details such as size, diameter, deviations, and cooking level.

In an industrial bakery, rolls, pancakes, donuts, and bagels are produced on an automated production line. After coming out of the oven, these baked goods must be removed from the conveyor belt and placed in boxes by a robot. At the same time, the degree of browning of each item must be assessed to ensure quality.

During final product control, it is to be checked that the products have a uniform appearance. The aim of the application is to guarantee the correct position of adhesive labels on packaging so that the products appear identical on the sales shelf.

During final product control it is checked that the products are correctly sealed. The aim of this application is to check that closures are fully sealed so that products cannot leak during transport. 

In modern production facilities, where traceability and quality control are essential, reading OCR and DMC codes on components plays a key role. These codes are used not only for identification, but also to ensure complete traceability of products and components throughout complex manufacturing processes. A reliable vision system must not only recognize OCR and DMC codes, but also compare them against each other.

The labeling of the battery pack requires the manual application of safety and identification stickers. Incorrect or inaccurately positioned labels could lead to misinterpretation or misuse of the battery pack, necessitating label verification.

Foil is processed on coils in a winding machine. The transitions between two rolls of foil are secured using adhesive tape (stickers) so that the web continues to run continuously. However, these transitions must not be processed further in downstream steps, as they can impair product quality or cause faults. This is why the adhesive strips on the foil must be reliably detected and ejected. A sensor can be used to perform this task.

Detecting transparent bottles in labeling processes

The bottle labeling process requires that bottles be reliably checked for presence at various points, for example for congestion control or to ensure reliable timing of subsequent process steps. A sensor can be used to perform this presence check.

In the production process for films, the films are transported from one station to the next using roller conveyor belts. Optical sensors are used to verify the presence of the films in order to initiate the next production step.

Thousands of parcels are transported on conveyor belts in logistics every day. They must be sorted, diverted, and dispatched. For a smooth process at loading and transfer points, the presence of the packages should be checked with an optical detection system. The front edge of the packages should be reliably detected.

In packaging machines, products are packaged using printed foil. To ensure that the foil can be cut exactly to the required size, a sensor must reliably detect the designated printed mark and trigger the cutting process with precision.

In many manufacturing processes in different sectors, such as in the packaging industry, transparent pouches or bags must be reliably detected with the help of a sensor.

The detection of trays on conveyor belts is an important task in many industrial processes. It is important that the trays are recognized quickly and reliably with the help of a sensor in order to control further processing. The trays can be different colors and transparent

In modern manufacturing, the need for seamless component traceability (Track-and-Trace) continues to grow. Data Matrix Codes (DMCs) have emerged as one of the most reliable methods for identification and traceability. The goal is to scan the Data Matrix Code on each component, guaranteeing precise product processing and flawless serial number management.

Every day, countless packages are shipped around the world. To ensure each one can be tracked reliably, shipping labels must be read accurately, often containing barcodes, QR codes, or DataMatrix codes. A vision sensor is used to automatically identify and decode these labels. However, proper setup is required before the sensor can perform this task effectively, and this setup process is often the first obstacle.

When manufacturing ball bearings, it is vital to know that the bearing has the full number of balls. The aim of the application is to inspect a ball bearing after assembly to ensure it is complete.

Pad printing is considered one of the main methods for printing on parts. However, during this printing process, various defects can occur...

Once packed, the end products must be stacked on transport pallets. However, the position of the boxes can fluctuate as they arrive, and their density on the conveyor belt can also change due to different cycle times.

In high-performance bottling plants, tens of thousands of bottles can be transported on conveyor belts every hour. With the help of robots, the PET bottles are automatically placed on the conveyor line. Depending on whether the belt is free or not, the robot should place additional PET bottles on the conveyor line. An optical detection system should monitor whether the conveyor line is free or occupied in a certain area (area monitoring) and provide the robot with a trigger signal.

When filling glass bottles or labelling bottles, it is essential to be sure that the bottle is present under the tool in the machine. 

After food is packed, QR codes are to be read on the packaging to check the legibility of the code and to read the content. 

In packaging inspection, every detail counts—even small deviations can lead to customer complaints or unnecessary waste. This is especially true in earplug packaging, where it’s essential to verify that every box contains the correct number of items before sealing. A sensor performs this check, ensuring each box reaches the customer fully complete and accurate, preventing faulty packaging from the start. 

Storage boxes are essential for efficient transport and storage in automated systems. Before shipping, it’s critical to ensure that each box is fully loaded. This prevents consumer complaints and ensures consistently high process quality. A sensor is used to perform this completeness check. 

In paper production and processing, sensors must detect a wide variety of printed sheets as they move along a roller conveyor. Accurate detection ensures smooth operation and prevents errors in downstream processes.

Millions of objects move along conveyor belts every day, advancing to the next processing step. Before downstream operations can begin, it must first be confirmed that an object is present on the workpiece carrier. A sensor is needed to reliably perform this presence check and keep production lines running smoothly. 

A robot is tasked with picking components from a flexible feeding platform. The position of the objects may vary. A vision sensor can identify and relay the exact position of the part to the robot.

Throughout the production process, a large quantity of data is generated that has to be monitored and checked. The operator must be able to consult, manage and evaluate this data easily in order to identify and implement any necessary modifications to the process.