Foreign object inspection
HEUFT eXaminer II XOS
Simply identifying foreign objects more reliably: Full product, consumer and brand protection at the end of line.
Finding in good time instead of recalling afterwards: The HEUFT eXaminer II XOS defines the state of the art for the full bottle inspection with a reliable glass-in-glass detection and a secure recognition of foreign objects of low density – and fulfils the IFS Food certification specifications for the use of the best available technology in each case for effective product, consumer and brand protection amongst other things. With the lowest false rejection rate, the risk of injury from foreign bodies such as glass splinters or foil in the beverage, one of the most frequent causes of recalls, liability cases, and image damage, is thus sustainably minimized.
X-ray base inspection
Detecting glass in glass and more: Advanced pulsed X-ray, intelligent X-ray image processing.
Finding high-density foreign objects such as stones and metal fragments at the base of filled beverage bottles and rejecting affected products is not at all easy. The identification of glass fragments which are hardly visible to the naked eye in full glass containers is even more challenging. HEUFT eXaminer systems have mastered this for more than 20 years with pulsed X-ray technology which is exclusively available from us. Continuously developed further it sets the benchmark in terms of highly precise intrinsic glass detection.
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Even in the case of glass thickness variations in the base area of the full bottle, it convinces with the highest detection accuracy at a particularly low false rejection rate of less than 0.2 percent! And this is independent of bottle and product color, product turbidity, label, or ACL. Recent innovations in the generation of millisecond-short X-ray impulses and intelligent processing of the high-resolution X-ray images provide full coverage for double radiometric bottom inspection while increasing the sensitivity of detection. For sharper images, the X-ray image converter is now even closer to the bottle base. The AI-supported HEUFT reflexx A.I image processing frees them from inhomogeneities, image noise and artefacts using Deep Learning so that real faults can be distinguished even better from supposed ones. The result: foreign body and glass-in-glass detection in perfection. Even particularly small, weakly absorbing objects, such as flat or needle-shaped glass splinters at the bottom of the full bottle, simply become more clearly visible.
Optical base inspection
Finding low density foreign objects: HEUFT sinker technology for difficult cases.
Paper, mould, foil: the smallest foreign objects of low density at the bottom of the full bottle are identified by the further developed HEUFT sinker technology. New types of HEUFT reflexx A.I. color cameras with directly integrated image evaluation now even make transparent and reflective objects visible there.
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They generate eight frontal views of the bottle base area so that it is covered without any gaps. Because the conveyor belt in the centre section of the device rotates the bottles in a targeted manner, blind areas are ruled out. Foreign objects are reliably identified. The same applies to cracks, defects, and inclusions in the container glass.
Optical 360° sidewall inspection
Not overlooking anything: HEUFT floater technology for full detection reliability.
Damage, contamination, floating foreign objects: such faults on the walls and inside the bottle are detected by the further developed HEUFT floater technology: New types of HEUFT reflexx A.I. color cameras with adaptive illumination and directly integrated image analysis make mould, scraps of paper and even transparent film residues floating in the beverage visible among other things. And also soiling, label and adhesive residues, chips and cracks on the bottle.
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The rotation of the containers by belt drive in the centre section of the machine ensures a complete 360° inspection. Instead of the previous eight, a total of 16 front surface views of the bottle walls are now produced. Eight intelligent high performance cameras are integrated in the infeed and outfeed of the HEUFT eXaminer II XOS for this purpose.
Fault rejection
Preventing recalls: the reliable rejection of faulty containers.
Fast, careful and accurate: highest precision when detecting faults is only effective if the products in question are also removed afterwards. The single-segment and multi-segment rejection systems of the HEUFT rejector series deal with this both precisely and carefully.
Product monitoring and self-tests
Playing it safe: exact product tracking and regular self-tests.
Always knowing the current location of a particular product: each one is tracked precisely for this. This ensures that none remain uninspected.
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The integrated reject verification checks that each product identified as faulty is really removed. Standard test programs guarantee a regular examination of the detection performance. Network-based continuous documenting and long-term archiving of the results.
Optional additional functions
Detecting even more: extensions to the range of functions.
The HEUFT SPECTRUM II systems with their modular design can be extended at any time.
In this way the range of functions of the HEUFT eXaminer II XOS can be optionally extended with powerful detection units for checking the fill level and the closure presence. The HEUFT sonic additional module checks the tightness of metal closures.
Lifetime-optimised pulsed X-ray
Simply better and more sustainable detecting: Unique technology with extended reliability.
More precise, gentler, more durable: what makes the HEUFT X-ray systems so unique is above all the pulsed X-ray technology which is exclusively available from us. Instead of an uninterrupted continuous beam only a short X-ray pulse of a millisecond is emitted. And only at the moment when a product to be examined for dangerous foreign bodies and other safety risks is actually in the detection area. Even if the line speeds are extremely high or fluctuate, full detection reliability is achieved with unrivalled low radiation. The specially developed X-ray tube and other sustainably optimised components not only increase the coverage and sensitivity of radiometric inspection. The same applies to reliability and lifetime, so that the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is significantly reduced.
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Long before individual X-ray components can lose performance or fail, users are also informed in good time so that they still have enough time for preventive maintenance. Filaments are even integrated redundantly: if one should fail, the other takes over immediately and fully automatically, so that production can continue without interruption. Furthermore novel full-field image converters for which HEUFT can now guarantee a lifetime of eight years* within the framework of an existing maintenance contract and a free replacement within this period in the case of a defect ensure considerably more sensitivity, availability and operational reliability with a reduced TCO.
HEUFT SPECTRUM II
Simply automating: universal device platform for maximum performance.
Highly automated, universal and powerful: the HEUFT SPECTRUM II ensures optimum detection and operational reliability during an in-line quality assurance for the sustainable safeguarding of product quality and line efficiency.
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The cross-system control unit with multiprocessing capability for different modules, systems and applications convinces due to its exceptional degree of automation. Brand and format changes can be carried out without manual intervention. The unique human machine interface of the universal device platform is self-explanatory. Human resources are effectively saved in this way. In-house developed hardware and software of the latest generation and a future-proof network connection achieve highest computing power and data transmission in real time. The result: maximum precision during purposeful product tracking, inspection and rejection.
HEUFT reflexx A.I.
Simply detecting more: real-time image processing with artificial intelligence.
The AI discipline of machine learning for targeted object classification has been mastered by our self-developed image processing since 2010! And since then it has learned a lot: intelligent filters distinguish drops of water on the container from air bubbles in the glass and even make it possible to identify tiny defects which are hidden behind ACLs or embossings. HEUFT reflexx A.I. now also uses deep learning!
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Appropriately trained neural networks are used for example to denoise X-ray images or to find dangerous foreign objects in structured products and to reliably distinguish them from good objects which are extremely similar in their shape, size and density. With true artificial intelligence, the hardware and software from our own development and production again increases detection reliability - and minimises the false rejection rate. The smart image processing can be directly integrated into the HEUFT reflexx A.I. camera which was developed in-house and which processes and evaluates its own images directly in real time and raises the adaptive image analysis to a top level.
HEUFT NaVi
Simply knowing what to do: self-explanatory audiovisual user guidance.
Intuitive, individual and audiovisual: previous knowledge is not required in order to operate the HEUFT SPECTRUM II systems reliably. The HEUFT NaVi user guidance is self-explanatory and supports the respective user step by step.
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An RFID login with user-related access rights provides an overview and makes the respective user's work simply easy: he only sees what he really needs to on the clearly arranged touchscreen user interface with a flat menu structure, integrated tutorials and precise auxiliary tools in order to fulfil his specific tasks optimally. He is supported by a virtual assistant in the course of this. She speaks to him and clearly explains what has to be done when and where. Purposeful and focussed on the essentials – the audiovisual HEUFT NaVi user guidance makes the reliable operation of HEUFT systems simply easy!
HEUFT checkPoints
Simply seeing where what has to be done: trouble-free localisation.
Clear, direct and purposeful: the user can cope immediately on the rare occasions when manual intervention is needed. Because eye-catching HEUFT checkPoints make it clear at a glance exactly when it is necessary to take matters in hand in addition to the audiovisual information which the HEUFT NaVi provides.
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The orange tags not only flash on the touchscreen but also at the respective component if the worst comes to the worst. The problem is located without a long search. This saves time and human resources, shortens standstills and therefore increases productivity.
Network technologies
Networking everything: online connection for increased efficiency and quality.
Information transmission in real time, production data acquisition, line analysis and remote maintenance: networking is the answer!
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HEUFT systems have future-proof network interfaces (Gigabit Ethernet and TCP / IP) for an online connection via the Internet and the database interface (SQL / DDE) for top line efficiency and an optimum quality management with considerably faster and easier workflows. Therefore production data, shift records, productivity faults and HACCP limit value analyses are available network-wide. The result: early identification of quality and efficiency problems. The firewall protected direct connection to the HEUFT TeleService makes competent remote maintenance possible all around the clock.
HEUFT CleanDesign
Cleaning quite simply: hygiene-optimised construction.
Accessible, clean and safe: its HEUFT CleanDesign predestines the system for use in hygienically sensitive areas.
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Sloping surfaces facilitate cleaning and prevent the accumulation of stubborn dirt. Special channels and openings allow the liquids required for cleaning purposes to be drained off completely. Consequently dangerous germs and bacteria have no contact surface whatsoever. Specially constructed casings and doors create optimum accessibility. The electronics are totally encapsulated. Sensitive areas such as the inspection units are dust-proof and protected against contact as well as water jets.
HEUFT rejector
Removing faulty products: the right rejector for all cases.
For example, the compact single-segment HEUFT flip and HEUFT mono systems as well as the multi-segment HEUFT DELTA-K and HEUFT DELTA-FW rejectors are ideally suited for the reliable rejection of faulty full containers.
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reliable glass-in-glass detection
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precise identification of low-density foreign objects such as film or mould in the beverage
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exceptional combination of optical and radiometric technologies for full detection and product safety
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unique pulsed X-ray for brilliant images without motion blur while minimizing radiation
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state-of-the-art technology for consistent brand protection
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effective protection against recall and product liability cases
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adaptive HEUFT reflexx A.I. image processing including intelligent X-ray image de-noising for clear differentiation between alleged and real faults for a considerably reduced false rejection rate (< 0.2 % for during base inspection)
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uncomplicated integration of additional detection units
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test bottle programs for regularly checking the detection performance during production
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highly automated HEUFT SPECTRUM II platform with self-explanatory, tamper-proof HEUFT NaVi user guidance system
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high-speed complete inspection of up to 72,000 bottles per hour with low operating costs