Measurement Sensors
Measurement Sensors for the Packaging Industry
Nearly everything conceivable nowadays comes in a package, from consumer goods to pharmaceuticals to produce. Consumer-packaged goods must be adequately packed to ensure their quality and safety. As a result, packaging inspection has become a crucial part of manufacturing.
KEYENCE is the world's leading provider of precision technologies and a reliable partner to thousands of packaging companies worldwide, who rely on our sensors for quality assurance and quality control.
What Sensors Are Used in the Packaging Industry?
Modern production lines are fast-paced environments, with thousands upon thousands of products being packaged every minute to meet consumer demands. Manually inspecting packages at such a high speed isn't just impractical… it's borderline impossible.
That's why many industries use laser displacement sensors and optical micrometer for packaging inspection. These sensors can check for defects and also measure color, product type, presence, quality, appearance and dimensions.
For example, KEYENCE's LJ-X8000 Series laser profiler can be used to detect the number of products being packaged, the amount of unused space inside a box, and how much cushioning material is needed. Its large depth of field allows for stable measurements, even with different box sizes and content heights. This feature is especially useful when products of various shapes and sizes need to be packed efficiently and securely.
Furthermore, the LJ-X8000 Series can also be used for pallet scanning to obtain accurate position coordinates. This ensures safe handling when lifting boxes from a loaded pallet, preventing any potential accidents or product damage. With its stable measurement capabilities, the LJ-X8000 Series can accurately detect targets with any surface condition, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of packaging applications. In addition to detecting alignment, this type of package inspection sensor can also detect peeling labels and other appearance defects, all of which are inspected simultaneously.
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Beverage Bottle Counting
The LJ-X8000 Series can be used to count the number of products being packaged. Acquiring height data makes it possible to detect packaging conditions such as whether different capacity bottles are being packed and if the bottles are buckling.
Void Filling/Cushion Placement
The LJ-X8000 Series measures the unused space inside a cardboard box and automatically calculates the amount of cushioning material needed. The large depth of field allows for stable acquisition of empty spaces even with different box sizes and content heights.
Picking and Placing
With the LJ-X8000 Series, measurement using height data is possible regardless of surface conditions, package color, or package orientation.
External Appearance Inspection of Cardboard Boxes
Automatic inspection for gaps and dents in boxes is possible with the LJ-X8000 Series. Imaging is stable even if the box includes tape or multiple materials and colors. The LJ-X8000 Series is also not affected by ambient light so countermeasures for lighting are not required.
Package Dimension Measurement/Sorting
The LJ-X8000 Series uses 3D data to measure package dimensions, and the results can then be used for sorting. Stable detection is possible with no adverse effects from ambient light or package shape.
Shipping Label Positioning
When applying shipping labels, the labels must be applied in a location free of any other labels. By acquiring a grayscale image of the package, the LJ-X8000 Series can determine the appropriate location for labels while also measuring the dimensions of the package.
Envelope Sorting
The LJ Series can also be used to sort mail. Thanks to a fast 16 kHz sampling rate, stable size and thickness measurement are possible even when sorting mail at high speeds, helping to automate processes.
Palletizing
The LJ-X8000 Series makes palletizing packages for loading into large shipping containers easy. During robot-based placing, acquired measurement and 3D shape data allow for safe and accurate palletizing.
Depalletizing
Loaded pallets can also be automatically scanned to obtain accurate position coordinates to ensure safety when lifting boxes from the pallet.
Pallet Inspection
The LJ-X8000 Series can be used to inspect wooden pallets used to store and move products. Inspecting pallets before palletizing makes it possible to prevent damage to products by identifying any damage or stains on pallets that have been used repeatedly.
Lid Heat Seal Inspection
A proper heat seal is not only important to the container integrity but also to the overall freshness of whatever is inside the container. The LJ-S8000 Series 3D Laser Profilers can ensure that the heat seal is applied correctly to each container.
Position Adjustment During Boxing
When products are packed in aluminum pouches, the position information for each pouch must be sent to the packaging robot. Using 3D information makes it possible to determine the actual position of targets based on differences in height that cannot be seen with a 2D image.
Advantages of Using Inspection Sensors for the Packaging Industry
Implementing KEYENCE’s package inspection sensors and laser profilers into packaging lines enable continuous and precise monitoring, significantly reducing the risk of products with defective packaging reaching end consumers. Here are other advantages of using KEYENCE’s inspection sensors for the packaging industry:
Efficiency
Sensor solutions for the packaging industry significantly speed up the production process and increase your product output, since they nearly eliminate the need for manual inspection.
Early Defect Detection
Package inspection sensors enable early defect detection, which minimizes material waste and reduces the need for rework. They also prevent defective products from moving forward through the production process.
Effective Maintenance
Early defect detection could indicate a problem in the production line itself, leading to a faster resolution and preventive maintenance.
Quality Assurance
The continuous and precise monitoring provided by KEYENCE equipment minimizes the risk of defective products leaving the factory, thus maintaining product quality.
Regulatory Compliance
Package inspection sensors help the packaging industry maintain compliance with stringent industry regulations, ensuring product quality and recording detailed, accurate data for further review if necessary.
Why Choose KEYENCE's Packaging Inspection Sensors
KEYENCE is the world's leading provider of cutting-edge precision technologies often used for industry-specific applications, ranging from manufacturing, medical, food and beverage, and cosmetic industries to industrial process control.
If your organization is looking to enhance your packaging inspection capabilities without package inspection sensors, don't hesitate to contact KEYENCE and inquire about possible integrations of our equipment with your existing production line.
![Automated Measurement and Inspection Examples [Food and Containers]](/img/asset/AS_138240_L.jpg)
