Bottle Inspection Sensors

Bottle inspection sensors in the food and beverage industry must feature several characteristics that would make them ideal for quality control in bottling operations. KEYENCE bottle inspection sensors feature high-resolution imaging capabilities that allow them to perform detailed bottle inspections, regardless of color or material.

Their high accuracy (in the single-digit µm range) allows them to detect minute defects that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Additionally, these sensors are designed to accommodate a wide variety of bottle sizes and shapes thanks to the powerful algorithms that are in charge of image processing.

Lastly, their robust design implies effective operation in harsh manufacturing environments, including exposure to varying temperatures and moisture.

Bottle inspection machines rely on 2D/3D Laser profilers, which are laser displacement sensors capable of measuring different properties. They're also complemented by powerful image-processing algorithms, which enables them to perform a wide range of operations that aren't strictly measurement-based.

For example, KEYENCE's LJ-X8000 Series is often used for surface inspection, which can help detect changes in the surface that are caused by bottle-wrapping tears. The sensor is equipped with a large-aperture receiver lens, which is specifically designed to capture the reflected light from scattering across the surface of the target—something that often happens with reflective cylindrical objects.

Additionally, it's not uncommon for bottles to tip to their side when moving via conveyors, and these sensors excel at detecting the bottle's orientation. This way, bottles that have fallen over or become unbalanced aren't selected for packaging, which helps reduce system downtime due to broken bottles or suck conveyors.

Likewise, the TM-X5000 systems are often used in quality assurance and control in bottle capping operations. They're capable of accurately measuring the outside diameter of the opening on a bottle/container, including simultaneous measurements of both the threads and the ring. They can also detect whether or not the bottle cap has been secured or whether the overall packaging might have a dent or some other defect.

The benefits of using high-speed bottle inspection sensors are multifaceted. The main benefit of this inspection method is speed; machine inspection is much faster and much more accurate than manual inspection—which is susceptible to human error. This ensures that your product is properly packaged for distribution and safe from any contaminants, and thus safe for consumption.

This offers many financial and reputational benefits by safeguarding your business from potential issues caused by inadequate packaging. Additionally, bottle inspection ensures that you are compliant with the standards and regulations governing your industry.

Lastly, the increased efficiency of quality assurance also implies a more effective production process, which increases the output and, by extension, the profitability of your business.

KEYENCE is the world's leading provider of precision technologies, including non-contact measurement sensors that are often used in bottle inspection applications. If you're looking to enhance your bottle inspection throughout your production process, don't hesitate to contact KEYENCE and inquire about integrations of our equipment with your production lines.