Extra qc with new 3d colour camera

Adbro Controls has integrated SICK's new 3D and colour imaging camera, the ColorRanger E, in a highspeed conveyor-based quality control and high speed reject system. Designed primarily for the food industry, it can easily be integrated with existing installations.

Adbro engineer, Nicky Brian, says: "The ColorRanger E has enabled us to deliver a complete palate of inspection parameters for critical QC tasks. Size, height, shape and some surface defects have been possible with previous profiling scanning cameras, however, the new system can inspect for colour defects too.

"With all data combined, the system can replace manual QC inspection, it offers precision inspection down to 0.3mm dia, at speeds to 1m/s, on a 600mm wide belt." A typical system would involve integration of the ColorRanger E with a laser scanner and PLC, which tracks the position of goods on a conveyor belt. The PLC compares scanned defects against pre-programmed range of ideal items for approval or rejection.