TempComply
FoodTech

High-speed hot melt glue inspection for global brewing company

The challenge

Open or damaged packs are a health and safety issue. Incorrect glue application could be a major cause of consumer complaints, with loose flaps or collapsing packs causing all sorts of issues between the factory and the end consumer.

The traditional approach to quality control was manual visual checks at set intervals. Because this isn’t 100% inspection, it leaves space for product escapes through natural human error.

Preventing downtime or defective packaging while still helping them to eliminate plastic wrapping was the big challenge.

The Solution

The solution we devised was automated vision inspection. These brewing lines are continuously running – with most lines producing up to 60 multipacks each minute.  For such a high-speed operation, Bytronic’s TempComply  vision inspection system was the ideal solution.

A fast, dependable and non-destructive test of packaging integrity, TempComply checks hot melt glue adhesive on packaging, using thermal cameras placed above the line to inspect every seal on every pack before it leaves the line.

The technology combines FLIR longwave infrared thermal cameras and Cognex Vision Pro high-res optical imaging with Bytronic’s intelligent machine vision software.

By capturing a thermal image through the cardboard, it verifies glue position and shows whether glue has been applied correctly – the right amount, in the right place and at the right temperature. 

A connected alarm system gives line operators early warning of any deviation in the glue application, picking up small issues before they become big ones.

Any defects are picked up before they leave the line, preventing accidents, breakages or customer complaints.

The Results

Our TempComply solution has been rolled out across five lines over two years – both new and retrofitted. It has been so successful that it is now being fitted as standard with every new line, with automated reject lines to further prevent downtime.

beer bottling line

The Bytronic solution promise

Bytronic is a 100% customer-centric engineering technology solution provider. We work with multiple OEM and line-builder organisations.

Our advantage is that we approach solution design to solve customer challenges. Our goal is optimum productivity; future-proofed manufacturing.

Read more about our innovation and partnering approach.