Video system inspects conveyor type ovens

A video inspection system, developed for examining the interior of continuous commercial bakery ovens, can be used anywhere where a narrow chamber is fed by a conveyor belt.

McQueen Cairns Technology has developed its OvenScope video inspection system.

It videos the internal surfaces of continuous ovens as it passes along the conveyor.

The system can bring huge cost savings by reducing unplanned maintenance and avoiding downtime due to oven fires and other major failures.

The battery powered, PC based system can make up to four video recordings simultaneously.

When the unit emerges from the (cold) oven, the videos can be immediately viewed simply by plugging in a keyboard and monitor.

They can also be archived onto DVD in industry standard MP4 format to provide a permanent record for future comparisons.

Only 28mm high, the OvenScope's low profile allows it to pass through most ovens.

Fully self contained, it does not require any umbilical cables.

The modular system can be set up with a range of camera and lighting configurations.

A laser provides a straight line reference to assist in image interpretation and for comparison between inspections.

A tracking system ensures that problems identified can be quickly located.

Developed by United Biscuits, where it has already led to six figure savings, the OvenScope is manufactured and marketed by McQueen Cairns Technology under an exclusive worldwide licence.

UK Gas Safety and PM manager at United Biscuits, who led development of the unit,Richard Palmer, told manufacturingtalk.com: "The first time we used the OvenScope it more than paid for itself.

It enabled us to rectify a problem through an inspection panel, rather than causing major disruption and downtime by dismantling the side of the oven".

* Equipment life extended - use of the unit helps extend the life of existing equipment, helping to defer the expensive purchase of new ovens.

The OvenScope is easy to use, involving connecting the chosen camera module to the main video acquisition module and placing them on the oven conveyor.

Three different lighting modules are available, as well as a supplementary lighting module where extra illumination is required.

Use of the Quad Camera Module enables the oven roof to be inspected in detail, while using two Single Camera Modules and one Dual Camera Module provides a full 360 deg perspective.

The unit has applications in a wide range of food production lines, including biscuits, snacks, bread, cakes and frozen foods.

* Wider usage - the video system could also be invaluable in applications outside the baking industry, said McQueen, where conveyors are used to pass products through furnaces, dryers or other processes, such as in the production of carpet, plasterboard, ceramics, semiconductors and in steelmaking.

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