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Status: Exhibitors of IFFA 2025

Ravenwood Packaging Ltd.

VXR Seal Contamination Detection System

Trade fair innovation

VXR Seal Contamination Detection System

Ravenwood Packaging Ltd.

Description

Ravenwood, a world leader in linerless labelling, label verification and X-ray inspection equipment, has developed innovative seal detection software for its VXR vision pack inspection system. This cutting-edge technology guarantees 100% accuracy, and protects brand owners from financial loss, product recalls, and hefty fines.

The new detection software is available to existing VXR customers and can also be ordered as an optional feature on new machines.

With the increasing prevalence of end-of-line automation, it is more important than ever to ensure product pack quality inspection using automated systems instead of relying on the human eye and camera-based frameworks. Ravenwood’s X-ray inspection technology now allows for both standard product contamination checks as well as the new seal contamination detection.

Contaminated packs that reach supermarket shelves can lead to rapid product spoilage and reduced shelf life. While faulty packs are sometimes removed from shelves by the retailer before purchase, it is often the consumer who discovers the contamination at home. In both scenarios, the brand owner (and sometimes the packer) can face fines, resulting in financial loss and damage to brand reputation.

James Large, Ravenwood’s VXR and Vision Product Manager said: “This technology significantly enhances production quality in the factory. The VXR’s fault-finding capabilities far surpass those of traditional methods that rely on human visual checks and camera-based systems.”

Traditional fault-finding methods pose numerous challenges. Detecting seal contamination is particularly difficult at high running speeds, and when there is minimal colour contrast between the contaminant and the tray (such as beef in black MAP trays), detection becomes even more challenging, especially with optical camera-based systems.

James added: “By utilising X-ray inspection technology to check for density variations in the seal area, it is now possible to detect even the smallest amounts of contamination, whether from the product itself or a foreign body in the pack seal.”

The new seal contamination inspection system operates automatically with minimal operator input, ensuring thorough checks on each pack, even at high line speeds. It seamlessly integrates standard X-ray capabilities, displaying two images on the VXR interface: one for standard X-ray contamination detection and another for the new seal contamination detection.

Ravenwood’s VXR® Vision Pack Inspection System is the ultimate end-of-line solution for analysing contaminants and ensuring flawless linerless labels. Available as a standalone unit with Vision (or Vision alone) and can be integrated with the Ravenwood Nobac 5000 range of linerless label applicators.

For further information on Ravenwood’s X-ray inspection equipment including information on machine orders and lead times, contact marketing on +44(0)1284 749144.

More products by Ravenwood Packaging Ltd.

VR - Vision Inspection System

The VR - Vision Inspection Sytem offers the ultimate in safeguarding for brand and consumer protection.

Directly after the packs have been labelled by the Nobac 5000 linerless applicator, the VR will then identify errors and reject any packs where faulty labels are detected. The VR does this by optical vision inspection. These faults are largely due to poor quality print and inaccuracies, but the VR analyses even further and will check for label position, quantity and orientation for guaranteed consistency across all packs. Moreover, even small print such as barcodes, use-by dates and traceability codes are also inspected. In fact, all printed information.

Collectively, the process offers complete peace of mind, alleviating the need for manual analysis which can lead to faults going unchecked.

VXR USPs

  • Total inspection incorporated into just 1.9m.
  • Avoid damaging press coverage and extortionate costs resulting from recalls.
  • Eliminate human error.
  • Increase production times.
  • Reject confirmation and bin full as standard for vision and x-ray rejects.
  • High speed user-friendly interface for rugged factory environments.
  • Pack images and pack quality information can be stored and retrieved using an open communication protocol.

X-ray

  • Heightened sensitivity for detecting dense mass / contaminants.
  • Identifies foreign bodies such as glass, metal, ceramics and bone.
  • Identifies contaminants through printed film, coloured trays and aluminium trays.
  • Locates the correct position of the product in the tray.
  • Number of products in a tray i.e. meatballs / burgers.

Vision

  • Identifies and rejects errors, enabling operator-free
    end of line automation.
  • Automatically detects faulty labels: printing errors
    and poor quality print.
  • Analyses multiple label positions, quality and orientation.
  • Checks all printed information: bar codes, use-by
    dates and traceability codes.

Seal Contamination Detection

  • Detects for contaminants in the seal including foods that have ‘slipped’.
  • X-ray functionality must be incorporated for seal inspection.

Deep Learning

OCR solution – based on established industrial grade software.

  • New module for adding to the Vision Application on the VR and VXR machines.
  • Module uses Deep Learning to analyse the characters in the field of interest.
  • Choice of pre-learned character sets available to rapidly decode many characters.
  • Set up of the Deep Learning OCR field is similar to the conventional set up in the new or edit product screens.
  • Does not require the font to be taught as is the case with conventional OCR for new fonts.
  • Conventional OCR remains available in the app.
  • New version requires an additional licence and USB dongle to be installed.
  • Also available on new order machines as part of the machine build.

Anti-Reflection

  • Software minimises glare and reflections on flow wrap packs.
  • Improved image processing combined with enhanced illumination.
  • Retrofittable into existing Vision systems.
  • Supplied as an optional extra on new machine orders.
  • Standard packs can still be inspected as usual.

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