Combined label verification, checkweighing and metal detection system

Offering major space saving and traceability benefits, the new machine is capable of verifying multiple parameters in a single pass in high care food production environments, helping reduce waste and improve carbon footprint.

Using one-third less line space than installing individual machines, Dimaco’s new label verification, checkweighing and metal detection system is specially designed to offer multi-parameter product verification within the smallest physical footprint. Using Dimaco’s Veri-CENTRAL database, it also allows easy data capture, storage and analysis.

Whilst the physical problems of check weighing, metal detection and verifying labels of food products such as ready meals can be solved by individual systems, it is often not physically possible to install four discrete machines. Even in cases where space is not a problem, data sharing may be. 

Dimaco has developed a single machine incorporating its label verification system, CEIA metal detector and Starflex checkweigher within an extremely compact design and that is capable of sharing both product specification data and real-time results in line with increasingly stringent audit requirements.

Dr Russell Sion, Managing Director at Dimaco comments: “Checkweighers, metal detectors and label verification systems are often found together on food production lines as part of the online QA system.  Having three discrete systems poses a number of problems both physically and operationally.  Firstly, line space is almost always at a premium so any technological change that can reduce space will always be welcomed.  Secondly, metal detectors, checkweighers and label verification systems may have to share the same data – often in real time."

He adds: “Working with both CEIA and Starflex, we designed a machine that fully integrates all three functions with high performance label verification, checkweighing and metal detection operation, and provides the significant benefits of data sharing. For example, all machines can be set from one batch of data and without any more operator intervention than scanning a single product code. Plus, all test results from the three machines will be stored in a single secure and auditable database.” 

Dimaco’s Veri-CENTRAL database is capable of being fully integrated into a food processor’s production systems, allowing the vision system, checkweigher and metal detector to share production and inspection data in real time.

Dimaco’s easy to install, low maintenance combination system is operated via a single touchscreen and can be set up from one barcode for reduced operator error.

Since 1987 Dimaco, part of the Jenton Group of companies, has bucked industry trends and, instead of using off-the-shelf vision toolboxes and smart cameras, has developed a special set of algorithms which are said to allow best in class label inspection on rotated and distorted labels.