Machine Vision & Web Inspection


SEGMENTATION TO UNDERSTAND NEEDS The printing industry splits into a wide range of sectors, from publications to packaging. The packaging industry is commonly split into three distinct disciplines – folding carton (sheet and web fed), flexible packaging and tag and label. Rarely do you see plants encompass more than one of the following products types. However, this isn’t always appropriate when


determining market requirements as it does not profile the customer’s needs. This can be extended to the major end market that the packaging operation supplies; popular categories include tobacco, pharmaceutical and cosmetics, food and security. The market being supplied determines the


driving factors and the requirements and the technology being used creates the process issue that needs to be addressed so as to meet the requirements presented by the end user sector.


DO TODAY’S SYSTEMS ADDRESS REQUIREMENTS? The industry has matured and there are suppliers that exceed $50 million in annual sales, yet none of these companies exchange data between each other. The main issue for printers in today’s


market is that all of these systems are proprietary and none of the systems work together. Printers have purchased standalone print inspection solutions rather than building a quality infrastructure.


IMPROVING CURRENT SYSTEMS - Hardware: The cameras, optics, lights and computers to acquire images from the printing presses. In 2017, with regards to 100 per cent inspection solutions, most hardware components are commercially available off the shelf. There is absolutely no need for large packing operations to purchase black boxes. The equipment used should be purchased in the same way as other industrial IT solutions. The only requirement is the ability to produce an image at the appropriate resolution so that the product can be analysed. - Services: The engineering support required


for a manufacturing operation to purchase, test and integrate the hardware. This is an expertise that some larger operations may have in-house or they can hire outside contractors while installing their vision network. - Software: The intelligence required to analyse


the images and provide real time feedback to the operators to produce quality and on schedule. The software should store results in an open industry format that enables the process engineer to analyse production and the process. TruColor Vision Systems, a sampling-based


inspection systems provider for the web-based printing and converting industries, and OneBoxVision (OBV), a research–development and design company of modular vision solutions for the web and sheet industry, have entered into an agreement to form an alliance that will broaden the product portfolio and range of solutions for customers, end users and OEMs.


TruColor has a customer base with thousands


of successful installations in over 100 countries worldwide. OBV’s flagship product, ImageFlow, supports the inspection of plastics, foils, glass, nonwovens and printed packaging and labels. uwww.tcvs.com uwww.oneboxvision.com


New inspection camera technology for UK site


allocated product. Most importantly, the equipment also checks the depth and product thickness via the 3D aspect of the technology, a subtle detail in the context of image processing that other systems are unable to detect. Selected by Paul


P


Smallman, associate director technical services at PCI, the cameras enable staff to inspect products that are invisible to conventional two-dimensional black and white and colour systems – such as a grey capsule in a


harmaceutical outsourcing provider, PCI Pharma Services, is installing specialist


three-dimensional and high resolution colour camera technology for product inspection and fill control on three of its blister packaging lines at its site in Wales. The cameras represent a significant investment


from PCI, reflecting its aim in delivering the highest quality packaging solutions for customers across the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. With the ability to check shape, colour, size and


markings, the new inspection cameras, LYNX- SPECTRA 3D and LYNX-SPECTRA HR, ensure that each blister pack pocket is correctly filled with the


www.convertermag.co.uk


grey/cold form blister pockets due to the contrast between the two grey colours being insufficient for the systems to detect. Scanware’s smart technology is able to identify


and evaluate previously ‘invisible’ poorly contrasting product, using a combination of 3D and high- resolution colour hardware, in conjunction with the proprietary scanware inspection software. The cameras also enable PCI to check that the product is in the correct pocket, is of the correct thickness, and is not damaged in any way. Commenting on the new technology, Smallman


says: “PCI is delighted to introduce the new 3D cameras to three of our existing blister lines at our


Hay-on-Wye site, one of which is located in our dedicated high potency packaging suite, with additional lines receiving upgrades in the future. “Most camera technologies on the market


inspect for shape, size and markings on entry- level black and white systems, and shape, colour, size and markings on higher level colour systems. It is very rare that a CMO will utilise 3D systems such as ours, as this type of customised and innovative high-end technology tends to be very product and line-specific. By working in close coordination with PCI, scanware managed to adapt its existing concept of a dedicated system to ensure a wide range of possibilities – both for current product designs and future requirements. “It is important that all of PCI’s packaging


processes are continually refined and improved to the highest quality standards for our clients, and that we remain ahead of the curve with innovative technical solutions.” Harald Mätzig, scanware managing director,


adds: “The scanware LYNX-SPECTRA 3D and LYNX- SPECTRA HR technologies are unique in mastering utmost security with real 3D and high resolution colour inspection. Additionally, the system provides the highest available colour separation for the most complex packaging tasks. Multi- coloured products and packaging units can be controlled and distinguished at a maximum of pharmaceutical safety, above any market standard. uwww.pciservices.com


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