Thermal seal checking system offers real-time “100 per centinspection” solution for production processes

Sensor Review

ISSN: 0260-2288

Article publication date: 1 October 2006

46

Keywords

Citation

(2006), "Thermal seal checking system offers real-time “100 per centinspection” solution for production processes", Sensor Review, Vol. 26 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2006.08726daf.005

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited


Thermal seal checking system offers real-time “100 per centinspection” solution for production processes

Thermal seal checking system offers real-time “100 per cent inspection” solution for production processes

Keywords: Pharmaceutical industry, Thermal measurement, Food industry

Targeted primarily at food, drug and medical equipment manufacturers, an innovative thermal seal checking system from Ircon quickly and automatically inspects thermal seal quality within rapid packaging and production processes. The system provides a quality control and process validation solution that increases inspection speed and coverage whilst reducing inspection costs and product recall risks (Plate 4).

Plate 4 Ircon's Maxline 2 thermal seal checking system

Ircon's Maxline 2 thermal seal checking system is a unique inspection tool that specifically monitors thermal seal signatures and generates “pass/fail” results with diagnostic codes, providing a flexible, in-process, non-destructive means for inspecting every seal in a production process, even if rapid and continuous.

Maxline 2 thermal seal checking system applies infrared thermal imaging technologies in a unique and innovative way. The result is a system that instantly inspects seals and generates control outputs with no negative effect on production time or speed – its operating speed is as fast as the process itself. No other company is using infrared imaging technology for this purpose; some others are using ultrasonics.

Using a unique, patent pending image de-blurring feature, the system inspects continuous motion items at a rate of up to 700 per minute. For indexing applications without the de- blurring feature, the system can perform at up to 300 inspections per minute.

Exhibiting versatility, Maxline 2 inspects for a range of problems and defects. For example, it detects hot seal defects that may result from contaminants in the sealing area or overheated or unevenly heated seal bars or heaters. This may lead to seal weakness or failure due to seal bubbling or roll-off. Similarly, cold seal defects that may result from under-heated seal bars or heaters and could lead to seal weakness or failure due to weak spots, gaps or voids are also detected. Additionally, the system recognises seal voids and creases that may result from defects in seal bar or heater areas, or misalignment of sealing equipment or materials.

As sealing errors are detected, Maxline 2's software alerts users as to the type of error that is occurring, and can be programmed to automatically relay control signals to process systems and equipment. Built-in TCP/IP networking capabilities enables remote access, both to the system and the generated data.

The setting-up of inspection parameters is highly flexible and is designed for tailoring to a wide variety of production requirements. Settings can be saved and re-applied for different production runs. The system also collects and stores data about every item inspected for traceability and reporting purposes.

An advanced, rugged infrared sensing camera is included, designed to provide many years of reliable service when used in hostile production environments.

Additional information on Ircon's Maxline 2 thermal seal checking system can be found on Ircon's web site at: www.ircon.com/sealcheck

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