Vision Inspection Systems

There are a number of different elements that make up the fundamental building blocks of the typical industrial vision inspection system. Some of the most common components in machine vision systems are:

• Cameras - PC-based or smart cameras
• Lights – used to illuminate the product packaging to achieve the best image quality
• Framing & Brackets – used to hold the lights and camera in place for accurate imaging
• HMI (Human Machine Interface) – a touch screen monitor and computer enclosure containing the software tools used to set parameters for inspection
• Enclosures – used with some vision inspection systems to minimize outside light or to protect delicate equipment in harsh washdown environments
• Additional equipment (i.e. conveyor, side grips, tracking modules) - integrated into the system depending upon the production line setup

Inspection of product packaging is critical for confidence that products are safely and correctly packaged before received by the end consumer. Vision inspection systems help manufacturers to:

• Minimize package and label quality defects
• Protect customers, and protect the brand reputation
• Support adherence to industry best practice guidelines and industry standards
• Mitigate the risk and impact of product recalls and returns

Investment in a quality vision inspection system will pay off over time. By eliminating the risk of label mix-ups, printed inaccuracies on products and labels, and the associated costs resulting from mistakes, you can reduce your risk of product recalls, fines and production rework. Vision inspection can pay for itself when factoring in your Return on Investment (ROI)!

Industrial vision inspection systems (or industrial machine vision systems) are used in manufacturing industries to monitor the quality and accuracy of packaging and labels.

Some industries which use industrial vision inspection are:

• Food and Beverage - Food and beverage quality inspection programs can include vision inspection systems to check that labels and packages contain the correct printed information (such as expiration dates and allergens).
• Pharmaceutical - Vision inspection systems can be used for quality inspection in the pharmaceutical industry to monitor the correctness of dates, package quality, printed text, and more.
• Cosmetics and Personal Care - Quality inspection of cosmetics is an important part of an overall quality control program. Vision systems can check that the correct labels are applied to the products, and can check for the presence of ingredient lists, printed instructions, and expiration dates.
• Chemical - Machine vision systems can be used for label and package quality inspection in the chemical industry for confidence that each package is correctly labeled with the presence of any dangerous ingredients, along with poison control instructions for accidental exposure.