09/03/2010 • Automation • Image processing / Optical metrology

Optical empty mould check

To assure top-quality chocolates, Bi-Ber image-processing systems check moulds for tiny splashes, remains or fragments. The most diverse array of moulds is used by the sweets industry in the manufacturing of chocolate (bars, cakes, individual chocolates...). Before the empty moulds are filled with the fluid mass, it must be ensured that the moulds are free from chocolate residues. Bi-Ber systems monitor the moulds by means of the imageprocessing of specified contamination.

Bi-Ber system solution

Does your empty mould check image-processing system reliably recognise chocolate residues in a mould of the same colour? Apart from providing the answer to this question, the latest generation of our systems for optical empty mould check offers many outstanding detailed solutions. Based on a fast smart camera with megapixel resolution, the systems recognise residual contamination in an empty mould down to a size of 1mm2.

The smart camera deployed leaves nothing to be desired where software linking is concerned. Up to 64 different mould types can be stored as standard. The throughput is a maximum of 60 moulds per minute; if required, the software can be quickly toggled between two types. Check is by means of 2 threshold values for light and/or dark mould or filling level respectively. Settings are password-protected and the evaluation includes a statistic function. The software user interface is multilingually (German, English, French and Turkish). For communication, a digital interface is available for linking to a PLC and Ethernet interface for integration into the main process controller. The protocol VDMAXML_P is used for the structured data exchange of intelligent components with packaging machinery. The system thus conforms to FDA standards.

System advantages
 

  • simple, fast type-changing
  • Teach-In of free-form alveoli
  • automatic lighting correction (auto-shading)
  • automatic lighting regulation
  • colour filter unit for enhancing contrast
  • maximum operational availability, low maintenance
  • differentiation of identically coloured chocolate and mould
  • solution even for transparent moulds


All components (smart camera, optics, lighting, TFT display, switch box) are mounted in a stainless steel cabinet which is positioned over the conveyor belt allowing visibility of the moulds to be monitored. There are standard systems for monitoring ranges from 640mm and 910mm.

On-going further development

The system is constantly being further developed. Current work involves the integration of a smart camera with aneven higher resolution (1600x1200 pixels, 1GHz TI processor, 8000MIPS) for equally precise check of wider moulds as well as the application of LED lighting for recognition of moving objects. Apart from the monitoring of empty moulds for residual contamination, diverse other applications are of course also possible with the system without altering the concept, such as filling check (marzipan, biscuits, waffles...) or the monitoring of waffle leaves prior to separation as well as tray check in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Bi-Ber GmbH & Co. Engineering KG

Ostendstr. 25
12459 Berlin

Phone: +49 (0) 30/ 5304- 1253
Fax: +49 (0) 30/ 5304- 1254