Vision Partners provided a solution for this in the form of an industrial high-resolution FLIR thermal imaging camera supplemented by 3 visual cameras for monitoring the Seal.
Because the bag is already upright during and after filling and is also sealed in this way, it was possible to check the bags already in this position immediately after the sealing process where the heat is still good in the seal which is certainly important for the metal bags where the temperature of the seal in fact quickly dissipates over time.
For this setup, Vision Partners provided a control cabinet including a touch screen on which the operator can immediately see the progress of the control including the recorded images. If there is a rejection by one of the cameras then it immediately sees what.
In addition, all recorded images and data are stored on the vision PC so that they are immediately available to the operators who, for example, monitor the night shift and can immediately see the seal quality of bags.
Among other things, the seals are hereby checked for.
- Temperature of the seal
- Width and height of seal
- Holes in, on or under the seal
- Double folded seal
- Contamination in the seal
- Torn seal
If a bag is rejected, it is stopped a few meters away at a position where the operator can easily check it. The operator can then pass the bag on if it is sufficiently well sealed or remove it from the belt if it is indeed leaking, allowing the powder to actually leave the bag.
Vision Partners created an automation system that alerts the operator in case of an emergency, giving them more time for other tasks instead of having to check all the bags personally. This has increased the outgoing quality of the seals but also the pleasure of the employees at this production location because the work has become less intensive.
