Inspection of returned crates with empty bottles

HEUFT LX

Sorting out non-brand bottles and establishing brand purity: the inspection of bottle crates.

The HEUFT LX returned crates with empty bottles inspection ensures that non-brand, dirty and damaged bottles and crates do not enter production. The integrated majority detection controls the maximum share of these. Therefore the HEUFT LX optimises line efficiency and reduces production costs sustainably.

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Top-down inspection

Ensuring unpacking suitability and safety: checking the compartments and the handling grips.

Foreign objects, top-down bottles and faulty handgrip areas: the HEUFT LX finds returned returnable bottle crates with such faults reliably. It checks their complete insides from above using powerful illumination, camera and image processing technology for this.

Each individual compartment is examined so that crates containing lying containers, top-down bottles or foreign objects are clearly identified and specifically rejected. This ensures the unpacking suitability of the crate. The detection of missing or broken handling grips prevents the risk of injuries. Thus the HEUFT LX upholds the efficiency of the complete line as well as product safety.

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Closure, shape and colour check

Finding non-brand bottles: identifying mixed up crates.

Correct brand, safe and efficient: the HEUFT LX identifies mixed up crates and therefore protects against standstills, bottlenecks and productivity losses.

Special optics detect neck rings, closures and lid logos. The returned crates with empty bottles inspector even differentiates between different types of swing top bottles reliably – regardless of whether their closures are open or still positioned on the bottle. It finds incorrectly coloured bottles with a homogeneous illumination from below and powerful camera technology. X-ray technology is used for a clear differentiation between glass and PET. The image processing system determines the number of non-brand containers and decides whether the crate should be rejected on the basis of individually adjustable parameters. This prevents too many non-brand bottles entering the line and only being removed by the empty bottle sorting unit or the empty bottle inspector.

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Checking the height proportions

Always at the correct height: profile measurement.

Distorted compartments, foreign objects under the bottle, broken or deformed containers: different factors result in deviating height proportions in the crate. The HEUFT LX records them by means of an ingenious sensor system. The detection unit can examine different returned crates with empty bottles continuously. It is so flexible in the course of this that it does not have to be readjusted each time for brand and program changes.

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Checking the dimensions

Identifying distorted crates reliably: checking the crate geometry.

Non-brand, faulty and distorted: the HEUFT LX sorts out bottle crates reliably which are not suitable for reuse because they do not belong to the current production program or cannot be unpacked.

It determines the length of the diagonals of the crate and uncovers deviations to the target geometry for this. Length, width and height are checked at the same time and compared to stored reference values. The bottle crate in question is rejected before it can enter the line if they differ considerably from the ideal dimensions.

Colour and logo detection

Showing their colours: checking the brand affiliation.

Detecting, comparing and keeping apart: the ever-increasing diversity of brands also affects the outer packaging. Colour and design are an important distinguishing criterion at the Point of Sale (POS). The HEUFT LX checks the colouration of the crate colour and logos in order to make sure that the correct bottles are in the correct crate.

It photographs the relevant area using a special colour camera. The HEUFT reflexx image processing system evaluates the photograph and compares it in real time with the stored reference sample. The result: a homogeneous supply of the appropriate empty crates.

Combined evaluation of all the measuring results

Calculating the total probability: analysis by means of fuzzy logic.

Combining, comparing and judging: different measuring procedures only produce an optimal result when they are linked with each other. After all not all the crates should be sorted out. Even those with inconclusive, borderline properties can indeed be the correct ones.

That is why the fuzzy logic calculates the probability of the individual values determined with regard to brand affiliation and combines them via a complex algorithm into the total probability. Therefore empty crates of the correct brand with negligible deviations do not have to be sorted out. This has a positive effect on the efficiency and productivity of the complete line for returnables.

The rejection of faults

Preventing recalls: the reliable rejection of faulty crates.

Fast, careful and accurate: highest precision when detecting faults is only effective if the products in question are also removed afterwards. The device either emits a conveyor stop signal or activates the corresponding rejection system, such as the HEUFT xcase, in order to remove incomplete crates from the production flow.

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Product monitoring and self-tests

Playing it safe: exact product tracking and regular self-tests.

Always knowing the current location of a particular product: each one is tracked precisely for this. This ensures that none remain uninspected.

The integrated reject verification checks that each product identified as faulty is really removed. Standard test programs guarantee a regular examination of the detection performance. Network-based continuous documenting and long-term archiving of the results.

Simple brand change

Changing automatically: automatic adjustment of the detection units.

Reliable, uncomplicated and easy: the HEUFT LX carries out brand changes without manual intervention. All the parameters are adapted automatically and the height and position of the detection units adjusted by motor. Misadjustments are practically ruled out. This save valuable time and money.

HEUFT SPECTRUM TX

Controlling centrally: one platform for all requirements.

Precise, network-compatible and cross-system: the HEUFT SPECTRUM TX forms the basis for different technologies, modules and functions. The devices of the generation of the same name can be exactly adapted to individual requirements on site and retrofitted at any time due to this universal platform.

A cross-system component equality of 70 per cent ensures a high availability of spare parts. The central HEUFT SPECTRUM TX control unit creates a high level of precision during continuous product tracking and quality assurance due to its multiprocessing capability. A future-proof network connection ensures reliable remote maintenance and production data acquisition for optimum efficiency and productivity. In-house developed hardware and software and its own operating system ensure computing power and offer no opportunity for viruses or malware.

HEUFT reflexx

Combining photographs and reliably detecting objects: image processing in real time.

Fast, powerful and exact: combining several camera and X-ray images with each other and specifically detecting various objects. The HEUFT reflexx carries out all this in real time.

The in-house developed hardware and software provides high computing capacity and is exactly tailored to the requirements of the in-line quality inspection. It generates high-resolution, noiseless detection pictures and analyses them precisely. Integrated filter technologies clearly differentiate between supposed and actual faults. This reduces the false rejection rate sustainably.

HEUFT PILOT

Operating HEUFT systems reliably: graphical user interface with practical tools.

Clear, helpful and specific: the HEUFT PILOT graphical user interface convinces due to an easy to understand, multilingual menu structure with extensive auxiliary tools. Therefore the reliable operation of the HEUFT SPECTRUM TX systems is not difficult.

Important information and clear error messages with service notes provide the respective user with specific support. This avoids incorrect adjustments and shortens standstills e.g. during brand changes. Password protected operator levels adapted to the respective area of responsibility also contribute to this. Also integrated: a complete online user manual and a tool for the uncomplicated identification and direct ordering of spare parts.

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Network technologies

Networking everything: online connection for increased efficiency and quality.

Information transmission in real time, production data acquisition, line analysis and remote maintenance: networking is the answer!

HEUFT systems have future-proof network interfaces (Gigabit Ethernet and TCP / IP) for an online connection via the Internet and the database interface (SQL / DDE) for top line efficiency and an optimum quality management with considerably faster and easier workflows. Therefore production data, shift records, productivity faults and HACCP limit value analyses are available network-wide. The result: early identification of quality and efficiency problems. The firewall protected direct connection to the HEUFT TeleService makes competent remote maintenance possible all around the clock.

Removing faulty cases:

the right rejector for all cases.

Discharging, rejecting and distributing: HEUFT rejection systems for packaging remove faulty crates, cardboard boxes, trays or shrink wrap packages reliably from the production flow. They achieve maximum performance optimally matched to their respective task with regard to precision and carefulness.

Learn more...

ensuring the brand purity, unpacking suitability and quality of returned crates with empty bottles
easy automatic brand changeover
compact, easy to clean construction
modular system in order to fulfil the customer's specific requirements optimally
high processing speed
real-time HEUFT reflexx image processing system for the highest inspection quality with a minimum false rejection rate