Silgan Equipment Upgrades 51R56 Bottle and Cap Vision Inspection System

The Silgan Equipment 51R56 vision inspection system is used by packagers to inspect beverages and foods packaged using bottles and caps. The system inspects filled bottles for cocked, loose, skewed, and missing caps, damaged or missing tamper-evidence bands and low fill levels. Additional available system options include confirming proper cap color and graphics. The system efficiently detects and rejects incorrectly capped, damaged or incompletely filled containers before they can proceed downstream and enter the marketplace.

Silgan Equipment has now upgraded the 51R56 system to version 51R56G by replacing the previous cameras with high-resolution GigE Flir cameras. At the same time, previous Windows 7 operating system software has been replaced by new software operating on Windows 10. As a result, the system produces higher resolution images, improving inspection results, and processes those images more quickly.

The quality and specifications of other aspects of the system remain the same. The vision unit’s multiple cameras conduct 360 degree inspection of passing containers. The vision tunnel is mounted on a stand that enables the unit to be positioned easily over an existing conveyor line, eliminating the need to break into a line to provide space. This configuration also enables the unit to be quickly raised or lowered as it inspects different height containers.

The system HMI is mounted on a separate stand next to the conveyor, and provides a 15” touch screen interface through which operators can access inspection menus and initiate product changeovers. The HMI’s menus can contain up to 50 product inspection target configurations and/or jobs.

The 51R56G can inspect cap sizes from 28 mm to 43 mm, and up to 82 mm with changes to camera lenses and lighting. The system includes an auto configuration teach function that is used to add new target configurations to the menu. The vision unit tunnel includes a motorized height adjustment that adjusts the unit as the recipe for a new bottle height is activated. Custom LED lighting within the tunnel supports clear visual images.

Both the HMI and the vision unit are NEMA 4X rated, providing watertight washdown protection. The system is driven by a solid-state hard drive with backup function, and an Ethernet bay for online connectivity. Access to the system is password protected to ensure line personnel can access only the functions for which they are authorized.

Options for the 51R56G include a filler-capper tracking system, a choice of pneumatic or soft touch rejectors, and a UPS and surge protection package.

For more information, visit www.silgancls.com.