Thermal imaging & vision systems
HOT ENOUGH? HOW COMBINING THERMAL VISION WITH TRADITIONAL VISION IS REDEFINING FOOD SAFETY, COMPLIANCE AND AUTOMATION
By Dr John Dunlop, CTO and founder, Bytronic Vision Intelligence F
ood production lines run hot… literally. Ovens, dryers, sealers and belts are full of thermal activity. But if you cannot see that heat properly, you cannot control it. And if you cannot control it, you are running blind into manufacturing risks. That is why thermal vision is moving from optional to essential. It is not just about seeing temperatures – it is about using them to protect assets, verify compliance, and keep production running without unplanned stoppages.
ASSET PROTECTION: STOP THE FIRE BEFORE IT STARTS
We have seen the damage caused by process fires. One global food producer had multiple incidents like this. Now, our TempCheck solution uses integrated FLIR cameras to continuously scan the line in real time. Smart software defines zones of interest, spots emerging hotspots, and triggers alerts long before anything ignites. When you are dealing with combustible materials and unmanned lines, robust, thermal monitoring will ensure a reduced fire risk and the protection of your factory assets.
COMPLIANCE: 100 PER CENT TEMPERATURE MONITORING Thermal vision is also vital for food safety compliance; but only when implemented properly. One key issue is background heat from belts or trays distorting readings. That is why Bytronic developed TempComply: a thermal system that combines 3D profiling with intelligent masking to isolate each product from the process. Instead of relying on batch checks or operator judgement, TempComply pinpoints the coldest part of every item – 100 per cent of the products
- verifying surface cooking compliance in real time. No undercooked surprises, no recalls, no compromise. Fully integrated into lines, it flags issues automatically stopping customer recalls.
PACKAGING: SEAL INTEGRITY WITHOUT THE MANUAL CHECKS
Thermal also plays a powerful role in packaging inspection. SealCheck DL uses both visual and thermal data to detect a wide range of issues: products trapped in seals, underheated joints, poor sealing profiles, and even product appearance - all of which are important to ensure the “Right Product, Right Pack” approach.
Bytronic Vision Intelligence adopts this approach across a range of areas in food production, from salad bag flow wrapped seals and sealed food trays, to food pouches and even ice cream lollies. It replaces inconsistent manual spot checks with 100 per cent in-line inspection, flagging defects
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November 2025 Instrumentation Monthly
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