Concise description

Photoelectric sensors and vision sensors from SICK ensure reliable detection, differentiation and printing of packages in a filling line.

Task

Mifa in Frenkendorf is not only an important producer of detergents but also the largest producer of fats in Switzerland. Every year, almost 10,000 tons of margarine, fat and edible oil are produced for this market. Half-fat butter in round tubs, spreads in rectangular tubs, edible oils in bottles of various different colors - due to the great number of different types of packaging with about 16 different tub designs, reliable detection, differentiation and monitoring are necessary when the products are filled and labeled. For this reason, Mifa looked for a solution for the filling process that would reliably detect wrong boxes and ones with an incorrect orientation on their way to the coding station. Furthermore, Mifa required an appropriate sensor to be integrated into a conveyor section in front of a case packer that would enable reliable monitoring of bottlenecks even when there are gaps between the bottles or tubs. With an innovative sensor and professional consulting, SICK was able to impress Mifa.

Implementation

Vision sensors and photoelectric line sensors from SICK optimize the packaging and labeling process

After analyzing the requirements, SICK was able to provide a solution with vision sensors (Inspector) and photoelectric line sensors (WTB12-3 Line). After going through the margarine filling station, the tubs are fed into the coding system in a defined orientation so that the batch, price and best-before date can be printed in the field designated for this. The vision sensors, which are taught all the packages to be expected when they are commissioned, detect incorrect tubs and ones with the wrong orientation reliably. When adjusting to a new product, the new checking parameters that are to be applied are downloaded onto the vision sensor from the system control in seconds ready for the new task. For monitoring bottlenecks, the photoelectric line sensors can recognize up to three gaps and thus detect all packages independently of their position. This reliable package detection enables process-adapted, trouble-free control of the case packer gripper.

Customer benefits

With the vision sensors, Mifa can teach and monitor an unlimited number of packaging variants easily and in compliance with current and future consumer requirements. When changing to another product, downloading the new parameters only takes a few seconds. "This flexibility makes the vision sensor a very cost-effective solution," says Hugo Schaffner, Engineering Food at Mifa. Furthermore, proper printing on the package is always guaranteed which means that a high level of process and product reliability is achieved, and time and costs due to complaints can be avoided. The use of photoelectric line sensors ensures a trouble-free packaging process and optimal utilization of the system because reliable detection avoids false signals and system stops. „Even for future tasks, we would not want to do without the benefits of application consultation and sensor solutions from a single source," says Alex Meyberger from Mifa.