ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE CODING, MARKING & LABELLING
Achieving 100% read rates at Heinz
At the HJ Heinz factory in Cumbria, Baby Milk Powder is manufactured and packaged ready for distribution overseas, and due to the sensitive nature of the products, accurate barcode reading is essential to ensure the correct products are identified and shipped to each customer. This is where Cognex came in
T
he Heinz factory was using a label verification system where one
element of the previous system could only read ladder barcodes and although a separate system was created to read the picket fence barcodes, the readers could not cope with the speed of production. Heinz were keen to upgrade to a more reliable system which could achieve 100% read rates, thereby eliminating any risk of packaging errors, and looked to Olympus Automation to install a barcode reading solution to achieve complete code reading accuracy. Based in Peterborough, Olympus Automation is a leader in process and automation systems, providing world class turnkey solutions to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Working alongside Cognex, Olympus selected the DataMan 302X image- based barcode reader which, given its advanced functionality, would allow all images to be seen in real time and therefore establish if a code had been
20 MARCH 2014 | AUTOMATION
read or not. In addition to meeting the requirements for 1D code reading, the DataMan 302 readers are able to read new 2D codes planned for use on the cans in the near future.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITY The Cognex DataMan 302X readers were chosen due to their advanced functionality offering high resolution, image review (while running via the Ethernet cable), speed of scanning, as well as their robust design. The high speed production line runs at
97 cans per minute, and in order to read the picket fence 1D barcode on the round can, each unit has to be rotated. To cope with the convex structure and reflective surface, six DataMan 302X readers are placed in a row along the can turner. As the can is rotated through 360 degrees, each reader is triggered in three batches of two. This process results in at least two of the readers being able to read the code on each can. If incorrect barcodes or ‘no reads’ are
Above: Cognex were the only suppliers reviewed that were able to offer 100% read rates on products
detected, alarm beacons and display screens alert the operators who will stop the line and clear the defective product to ensure no incorrect can continues to the packaging area. Reporting for read rates is generated as part of the standard Olympus Autocoding system, allowing for easy monitoring of production performance. The system also links into the site’s Domino inkjet printers and Markam case printers to ensure the correct dates are printed on each pack, ready for shipment. The key benefits of the Olympus
Autocoding system have been: ●
due to ‘no reads’. ●
packed. ●
elimination of false line stoppages prevention of incorrect tins being
print control to ensure the correct dates are applied. Robin Sandman, engineering manager at Heinz commented, “Heinz chose Olympus Automation and Cognex to deliver their Autocoding system because they were the only suppliers we reviewed to offer 100% read rates on products. The integrated quality checks on the Autocoding system and Olympus’ ability to offer 24 hour support have added significant value to the business.”
Cognex
www.cognex.com T: 01327 856040
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