More than ever, factories are turning to automated PC-based inspection systems since recent technological developments have dramatically reduced the costs associated with vision systems. The brewery industry is no exception to this trend. Machine vision developers can offer these inspection systems for less by using low-cost PC-based vision technology offered by manufacturers like Matrox. Using PC-based technology, Integral Vision, of Bedford, builds and integrates beer keg inspection systems into automated keg lines of breweries like Courage, Whitbread, Guinness, and other brewers around the world.

Integrating machine vision into the automated keg line helps improve line efficiency, reduce distribution costs and production down time. Damaged kegs with faulty or leaky valves (spears) are removed from the line before being refilled, saving beer and avoiding possible damage to filling equipment. Keg spears that have notbeen properly tightened, or with worn-out rubber seals, are also inspected for leaks. This way bad or flat beer never leaves the brewery, eliminating the associated shipping and administration expenses for returns.

Multiple, stand-alone vision inspection machines based on PCs are integrated serially at various points along the keg line to automatically check the kegs. Each inspection machine has a dedicated task such as spear inspection or correct label placement. Multiple standard CCD cameras connected to each unit provide different viewing angles of the kegs. The signals from these cameras are digitized by Matrox Imaging hardware and transferred in real time to the host's memory for processing. Once in host memory, the images of the kegs, spears and labels are checked against stored templates and other measurements are taken such as geometrical dimensions. When deviations to the stored templates or differences in dimensions exceed set tolerances, the line's reject mechanism removes suspect kegs. The only operator intervention needed is the selection of preset inspection procedures using the Windows user interface at line changeovers. In this way, the system is quickly reconfigured to inspect kegs of different dimensions and spears. A typical installation inspects 1200 kegs per hour. By using vision to correct and prevent problems before product leaves the plant, both the beer destined for the pub, and the company's image are perfectly preserved.

For more information, contact our Media Relations Team.