Report: Innovative New Inspection Machinery at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

FlashCell technology delivers weighing results with a standard deviation up to four times lower than the previous load cell generation. The technology also works with shorter measuring times at high speeds. The weighing conveyor can therefore be reduced in length, with slower conveyor speeds helping to increase product handling stability and allowing shorter outfeed conveyors and product collection areas. The complete length of the checkweigher itself can be reduced by up to 24%.

Image #2 in the article text.With three different load cell types in the FlashCell portfolio, food manufacturers can select the appropriate load cell for their products, weighing a complete product range up to 10 kg reliably and precisely. The checkweighers can process products more quickly and reduce product give-away through greater weighing precision.

“Flash cell technology allows us to run a faster rate of products per minute, in addition to getting better accuracies,” says Wood. “In addition, we can actually shorten the scale and provide the same relative accuracy as the system and provide a smaller footprint within the plant.”

Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection also took advantage of PACK EXPO Las Vegas to launch a next-generation series of metal detection systems (2) that deliver a fresh dimension to the food inspection market. The modular design of the fully integrated system can be adapted over time, in line with evolving compliance and productivity needs.

A new digital platform, powered by new smart SENSE™ software, is combined with advanced algorithms to allow entry-level models to deliver high sensitivity to all metal contaminant types with minimal false rejects. Dynamic Stability Control innovations stabilize the core sensor of the metal detector to help protect against environmental noise and vibration interference for increased reliability. A full-color touchscreen makes operation simple, with key tasks accessible using the quick-access menu.

According to Alan Zeng, Mettler-Toledo Business Development Manager for the OEM business, the M30-R series metal detector has a 100% digital window-based platform and is very easy to use. During a live demo at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Zeng showed how products are passed through the detector. “The machine will learn what frequency it will be operating,” explained Zeng, “and will optimize set up.”

Watch a video of the M30-R and the FlashCell technology.

One last look at innovations in inspection technology bring us to the booth of Domino Printing Sciences, which launched the new R-Series range of smart vision systems (3) for automatic inspection and validation of product codes, including date codes, batch numbers, bar codes, and 2D-printed codes.

The R-Series was developed in consultation with customers following Domino’s acquisition of Lake Image Systems. It’s not that manufacturers had no way of validating codes in the past, but the validation technology had to come from a source other than Domino. With the launch of the R-Series, Domino seeks to deliver customer value by reducing complexity and offering a complete end-to-end solution from a single trusted partner.Image #3 in the article text.

Specifically designed to work with Domino printers and coders, the R-Series eliminates the need for manual code validation and inspection or the complexity of buying an automated validation system from some other OEM. This significantly reduces the risk of an incorrect code leaving a manufacturing site unnoticed, while allowing for more efficient use and distribution of resources.

The launch highlights Domino’s ongoing commitment to “do more” to help customers improve production efficiency and reduce manufacturing waste by delivering best-in-class customer experience through products, services, and expertise.

R-Series systems have been developed to work alongside Domino printers, integrating seamlessly into existing production lines without the need for custom brackets or specialist add-ons. R-Series controllers can be run from a single human-machine interface and have a standard user interface with Domino ‘look and feel,’ which is easy to learn and reduces the need for additional training.

Unlike other vision systems, the R-Series is specifically designed for coding and marking applications. The systems are optimized for Domino fonts, print characteristics, and inks, and they match the speed of Domino’s fastest printers, meaning that manufacturers can code with confidence, knowing that every code that is printed can be checked and verified.

The R-Series is available as three separate products, with custom options available to cater to all requirements and budgets. The top-level R550 is a complete code validation and verification solution, which validates the data for both human- and machine-readable codes, as well as checking for readability and code placement. The mid-range R350 checks the readability of machine-readable codes, while the R150, a cost-efficient introductory option, offers simplified checking for code presence and placement.

With the launch of the R-Series, Domino says it can satisfy on a global basis customers’ coding and vision needs via a single reputable brand while taking full responsibility for installation, training, and after-sales support.