pack.inspect – Automated Packaging Inspection
Reliable Inline Inspection of Completeness, Marking and Packaging Quality
Missing products, incorrect variants or defective markings can lead to rejects, customer complaints and time-consuming reinspection. Reliable manual inspection is particularly difficult at high machine speeds and with frequently changing packaging formats.
pack.inspect comprises individually designed machine vision systems for the automated quality inspection of products, packaging and packaging components. The systems inspect characteristics including presence, completeness, type, color, position, labels, printed images, variable text and codes.
Inspection takes place directly within the packaging machine or production line. Defective units are identified and can be rejected automatically.
Do you have any questions?
Then please contact our experts
at +1 (980) 431-9540 or
via our contact form
Customized Inspection Solutions for Packaging Machines
Packaging processes differ in terms of product, material, format, machine speed and quality requirements. pack.inspect is therefore not a standardized standalone unit, but an application-specific inspection solution.
OCTUM configures the cameras, lenses, lighting, software and interfaces according to the specific inspection task. Depending on the application, one or more inspection stations can be installed within the packaging machine and operated centrally.
pack.inspect is suitable both for new machines and for retrofitting existing production systems.
Type and Variant Inspection
Different products, packaging designs and variants can be distinguished using defined characteristics.
Possible inspection criteria include:
- shape and contour
- color
- dimensions
- printed image
- label
- text or code
- additional product-specific characteristics
This ensures that the correct product is combined with the intended packaging.
Position and Orientation Inspection
The machine vision system determines the position and orientation of products and packaging components.
The system can detect deviations including:
- incorrect position
- rotated products
- tilted or jammed components
- products that have not been inserted completely
- deviations from defined reference positions
Label and Print Inspection
Labels and printed packaging areas can be inspected for presence, correct variant, position and visible print defects.
Possible defects include:
- missing or incorrect labels
- incorrect label position
- incomplete print areas
- smeared characters
- incorrect layout
- damaged print elements
- visible contamination
OCR and OCV Inspection
Variable text can be read automatically or verified against known target values.
Typical information includes:
- batch numbers
- serial numbers
- manufacturing dates
- best-before dates
- expiration dates
- product and order numbers
The captured data can be compared with recipe, order or production information.
Inspection of 1D and 2D Codes
pack.inspect can read and verify different machine-readable codes.
Depending on the application, these may include:
- Code 128
- GS1-128
- EAN and UPC codes
- Data Matrix codes
- GS1 DataMatrix
- QR codes
- other 1D and 2D codes upon request
In addition to readability, the system can verify the code content and compare it with predefined production data. The specific code types and inspection methods are selected according to the requirements of the application.
Packaging and Closure Inspection
Visually detectable packaging characteristics can be inspected immediately after the packaging or closing process.
Possible inspection characteristics include:
- correctly closed flaps
- correct folding
- visible closure defects
- damaged packaging areas
- protruding components
- incorrect contours
- visible material or assembly defects
Suitable for Different Types of Packaging
pack.inspect can be configured for a variety of primary and secondary packaging types.
These include:
- folding cartons
- cartons and boxes
- trays
- blister packs
- bags and pouches
- film packaging
- cups
- containers
- product sets
- multipacks
- transport packaging
Different product and packaging variants can also be inspected within the same system.
The specific inspection capability is evaluated based on the products, defect characteristics and actual process conditions.
Integration into the Packaging Process
Reliable inspection results require precise coordination with the packaging machine and product handling system.
When designing the system, OCTUM considers factors including:
- inspection position and available installation space
- product handling
- machine speed
- camera, lens and lighting
- required image resolution
- number of inspection stations
- interfaces to the machine control system
- pass/fail decision
- rejection of defective units
- recipe and format management
Designed for High Machine Speeds
Image acquisition and evaluation are synchronized with the machine cycle and the available inspection window.
The achievable inspection speed depends on factors including:
- number and complexity of the inspection characteristics
- packaging format
- distance between products
- image resolution
- number of cameras
- product handling
- required evaluation time
The specific system performance is configured for each project and verified under realistic operating conditions.
Packaging Inspection in Regulated Production Environments
For applications in the pharmaceutical, medical device and other regulated industries, pack.inspect can be equipped with additional functions depending on the project requirements.
These include:
- individual user accounts
- role-based access rights management
- logging of user actions
- audit trail functions
- recipe and format management
- controlled modification of inspection parameters
- storage of inspection and event data
- assignment to batches and production orders
- interfaces to higher-level systems
- support with documentation and validation
pack.inspect can therefore help support the implementation of customer-specific requirements in environments governed by EU GMP Annex 11 and 21 CFR Part 11.
The specific system configuration depends on the intended use, the validation concept and the user’s operational processes.
From the Inspection Task to the Inspection System
1. Define the Requirements
Products, packaging, defect characteristics, cycle times, variants and interfaces are defined together with the customer.
2. Examine Samples
Good parts, typical defective parts and boundary samples are tested under realistic conditions.
3. Evaluate Feasibility
OCTUM evaluates which characteristics can be detected reliably and determines the required machine vision concept.
4. Integrate the System
Cameras, lighting, software and interfaces are integrated into the packaging machine.
5. Installation and Commissioning
OCTUM installs the system on site, commissions it together with the machine and supports the handover to production.
Configure Packaging Inspection for Your Machine
Would you like to inspect products, packaging, labels, printed images or codes automatically?
OCTUM analyzes your inspection task and develops a suitable pack.inspect solution for your packaging machine or production line.
Send us information about the product, packaging, relevant defect characteristics, machine speed and installation conditions. Ideally, you should also provide good parts, typical defective parts and boundary samples for initial testing.
