Page 12 - Grapevine JanFeb 2021_REV

In The Winery

fill level, cap and cork closure inspections, followed If your line utilizes a liquid rinser before the filler,
by label inspections. An improperly filled or labeled there is available technology to detect any residual
bottle is simply harmful to the brand consistency, liquid left from the rinsing function as well. When a
while a bottle that is not properly closed can be rejection occurs, there are a number of options to
a problem further down the line, particularly in how the bottling lines can manage that. FT System
the casing application. An open or leaking bottle inspection units can push the bottle off of the line,
in a case causes issues either in the warehouse or or we can sound an audio alarm or, if desired, we
while in transit. These inspections are the easiest to can send a signal that would immediately halt the
implement and are proven to be cost-effective. The line. It’s the user’s preference. The most common
more important inspections are those that identify way for systems to reject a defective glass situa-
a hazard to the consumer. These inspections detect tion from the line is by using a standing rejector to
things like a chipped finish in the bottle, a foreign guide the bottles off from the line without knocking
object inside the bottle, or some other defect in them over. The reject device is always a critical part
the glass that increases the potential of the bottle of any overall inspection system.”
to fail. These inspections prove to be more critical
in the wineries that manage bulk glass or use auto- Reardon said that because the wine sector tra-
matic uncasers.” ditionally uses round glass, the EBI systems are
designed and optimized to manage that traditional
Automated in-line inspection systems are round shape. But EBI systems will work on nearly
designed to inspect 100% of the contents in a con- any color or shape of glass bottle, including round,
sistent, repeatable and measurable way. Unlike square, rectangular and flask shapes. FT System’s
their human inspector counterparts, they don’t empty bottling inspection systems are flexible
impart any environmental interpretations or enough to easily change from one size or color to
change their inspection parameters due to weari- another while having the ability to store a large
ness, distractions, daydreams or some other type library of recipes to accommodate the different
of inattentiveness. Machines inspect every bottle types of glass a winery will use throughout its pro-
using the same parameters every time. Suppose duction.
the inspection system detects any defects or mis-
applied labels. In that case, the line workers will be Empty bottle inspections are just one of the
alerted and allowed to take immediate corrective many bottling line inspection systems available.
action versus waiting until the problem is detected “Inspection systems on the bottling line are typical-
further down the line in the packaging application ly stand-alone units at different locations along the
or during a routine quality control check. If inspec- line to perform whatever inspections are desired,”
tion applications detect that a filler or labeler is said Reardon. “Glass inspection is done before
trending out of the desired tolerance or calibration the filler to remove any defective glass before it
settings, the operator will be able to take preventa- is filled with product. Fill level and closure inspec-
tive action before an issue arises that would halt or tions are placed after the filler, capper and corker
disrupt production. block. A system performing label inspections would
be located after the labeler and a case inspector
“An Empty Bottle Inspection system is commonly immediately after the caser or case sealer. FT
found on lines that run either bulk glass or lines System inspection units are modular, so they are
that have automated uncasers,” said Reardon. easily added, combined and mixed to meet every
“It is located before the filler and uses a series client’s unique needs.”
of cameras with specific lenses and illumination.
By design, it looks for defects in the bottle glass, Operator and maintenance training is critical to
incorrect bottle sizes or foreign objects that may be the success of any piece of machinery on a bottling
inside the bottle. More specifically, the systems will line, and Reardon said that the expectations for an
inspect the individual bottle’s complete outer sur- automated inspection system are no different. But
face, including the finish, threads, neck and base. the level of operator and maintenance training var-

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