Product category:
Food and drink manufacturing: packaging and bottling equipment
News Release from: Cognex UK | Subject: Checker inspection sensor
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 29 August 2007
Sensor checks bottles/caps at 375
units/min
A reliable inspection sensor, instead of photo-electric cells, is detecting and inspecting bottles and caps on a new high-tech bottling line at a rate of 375 units/min.
A high-tech bottling line at Meridian Beverage Co needed fill-and-cap verification The automation company, Hamilton/ITS, suggested Cognex's Checker inspection sensor
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 28 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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It uses patterns to detect and inspect bottles and caps at speeds of 375 units/min.
** High speed defect detection - president of Hamilton/ITS, Ray Hamilton, explained: "The challenge is to eliminate bottles that haven't filled properly or have had the caps put on wrong." His automation company has been assisting Meridian Beverage over the years on many challenging projects.
"The new line runs almost non-stop at 375 bottles/minute so down time on our system wasn't an option." he continued.
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Cognex have introduced the In-Sight 2000, an entirely new type of industrial machine vision sensor at a cost usually associated with "smart cameras"
Vision systems retrofitted like CNC
Special purpose machine tools and assembly systems, with Cognex machine vision systems as an integral part, are being supplied to the automotive industry by Douglas Curtis Machine Tools
Hamilton/ITS called in Keith Gavin from TSI, a Cognex distributor, who suggested their newest sensor, the Cognex Checker.
** Reliable alternative to photo-electric cells - Cognex Checker sensors are simple and affordable for verifying the presence of product and packaging features.
Essentially a versatile 'multi-sensor', a single Checker detects features that would require multiple photo-electric sensors, or may not be within the capability of photo-electrics.
The Checker model 101E has a built in PLC.
Gavin recommended the Checker 101E primarily because the built-in PLC.
The PLC would accept encoder feedback, track the bad bottle location, and properly trigger the elimination station when needed.
"Keith (Gavin) of TSI and the Cognex team really helped us integrate a great solution for our customer," said Hamilton.
"We saved a tremendous amount of time in logic and software development".
The Checker detected seven different features and acquired five-to-seven 'snapshots' of each bottle.
The numerous snapshots reduced false negative responses.
It self triggered, eliminating the need for an external sensor circuitry.
Eliminating external sensors reduced costs of acquisition, design, installation and maintenance.
After final on-site testing, the system resulted in 100% cap placement and correct fill level.
Bottles were fed shoulder to shoulder at 375 bottles/min.
Charles Purcell of Meridian Beverage was very pleased with the results.
He said: "I expect effective solutions for my company's money.
The Cognex Checker that Hamilton/ITS installed is the type of answers I like to see.
Simple, efficient and cost effective." In summary, Hamilton had only praise for TSI and Cognex for offering this uniquely simplified approach to sensor technology.
He concluded: "Our reputation as an automation integrator depends on quality solutions. Request a free brochure from Cognex UK ...
We depend on Cognex.".
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