Product in seal often causes issues for standard vision systems , as there might be not enough contrast between the plastic film and the contamination
replace plastic materials . And in case of printed packaging , often used in more luxury packaging , the contamination can also not be seen by a traditional camera . An alternative is X-ray inspection , but this technology is expensive and is only efficient in case the material density is sufficiently different to reveal the distinctive materials , which is not the case for contamination of organic materials such as meat , cheese and vegetables .
Visual image : When product and film have similar colors ( yellow-on-yellow ), contamination in the seal is not visible
Hyperspectral image : The higher contrast clearly reveals contamination ( red ) in the seal ( green )
A solution to overcome these challenges is hyperspectral imaging . A traditional vision camera provides a single image with spectral information from the three primary colors ( RGB ). Hyperspectral camera technology results in hundreds of images , each with information of a specific wavelength range , including infrared wavelengths . For the detection of contamination in the seal , the relevant wavelengths are merely situated in the ( near ) -infrared region .
As different materials react uniquely to infrared light , they can be reliably detected based on their specific transmission , reflection and absorption properties . Since hyperspectral imaging delivers the spectrum for each pixel in the image , it provides information about the chemical composition of the measured sealing area . Because infrared light penetrates the top film , hyperspectral imaging allows to distinguish with high contrast undesired materials such as meat , fat , oil from the plastic film , even if the top film is printed . Also because the products are illuminated from the same side
The hyperspectral 3D spectral image map is built from hundreds of images in different wavelength bands . Every pixel is analyzed individually and differences in materials or composition can be detected , even through printed film . A contaminated seal has as a different spectral profile than a clean seal .
as the camera , HyperScope is suited for package is inspected and the system cardboard trays or paper-based backing issues a signal to an ejector to reject material sealed with plastic film . packages with seal issues . The “ core ” of the HyperScope™ system is situated
IN-LINE , 100 % INSPECTION in the software controller that instantly processes the hyperspectral image to
HyperScope™ is directly integrated in recognize the package regardless of the food production line , checking up its orientation , and to analyse the seal to 160 packages per minute . Every quality . All information is displayed on an operator-friendly touch screen to provide feedback on every package . All production related data , such as product type , number of good / bad packages , date , time is saved to monitor the production quality .
In general , in-line seal inspection enables customers to realize better packaging quality , higher packaging productivity , end-of-line automation and reduction of manual inspection .
www . engilico . com info @ engilico . com Renaat Van Cauter Marketing director
Renaat . vancauter @ engilico . com
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