Vision Applications

A single Cognex In-Sight® 5400 industrial vision sensor is used to check the chocolate bar shape does not deviate from the normal, using a single LED ring light.  Additionally the sensor checks for any unwanted lumps of material sticking to the bar, which would cause stoppages further in the process.

Incomplete chocolate coverage is checked for as well as missing parts of the bar.  The camera uses digital I/O to activate an air-blast reject mechanism for unacceptable bars.

The system performs the following function:

• Reduces blockages and flower wrapper stoppages caused by oversized bars
• Consecutive rejects give warning of problems with chocolate coverage
• Prevents unacceptable bars reaching the market place
• Inspection rate of six per second using direct output to high speed airblast

The features of the system are:

• High performance, high Resolution Cognex In-Sight vision sensor
• Robust camera housings to IP67
• Robust inspection tools to identify failure mode
• Virtually maintenance-free system
• No HMI required, system operates as a standalone sensor