Silgan Equipment's new 2D-X2 Inspection System employs dual lasers to scan the surface of the cap on a packaged beverage or food product to determine proper cap sealing. The side-by-side laser beams scan the top surface of each cap to immediately detect cap tilt and overall cap height. When the lasers detect an uneven cap height, the cap is cocked; when they detect a non-standard package height, the cap is either low (not present) or is high (not completely seated). These results indicate a package that is not securely sealed.

The 2D-X2 system installs over an existing conveyor line, saving valuable floor space. The lasers are mounted in a protective housing rated NEMA 4X, resistant to washdowns and the harsh conditions of the processing environment. The sensor height is adjusted by a handwheel, and the beam-spread adjustment by a rotary knob, allowing for fast and accurate placement. As filled and capped containers pass, the lasers scan the surface of each cap to identify rejects for removal downstream.

Operators access the 2D-X2 system controls through a full-color touchscreen HMI located next to the line. The PackML-compliant system software stores and recalls job files for quick and reliable changeover, displays inspection results and generates production statistics.

Inspection is set up by stepping through the HMI-directed setup procedure, using samples of good and bad cap placement on containers to adjust the inspection parameters. When the inspection is configured, and runs well in production, it can be saved as a job file for instant recall when that same container and cap combination is run in the future.

The 2D-X2 can inspect container caps at a rate of up to 800 per minute, depending on container and cap size. The system software records production statistics, including number of rejects, for use in Continuous Improvement efforts. This data can be immediately recalled in the event of an FDA inspection visit. The compact 2D-X2 system can inspect plastic, metal and composite caps ranging from 30 mm to 110 mm in size, on containers ranging from 1¼ to 14 inches in height.