Inspection technology from KHS: precision and early detection for holistic line concepts

KHS GmbH is continuously further developing and modernizing its inspection technology. Operators benefit from KHS inspection systems three times over: they boost efficiency, increase production reliability and can directly and cost-effectively integrate the modules into their existing lines.

Inspection technology that enables the best product quality, gives users a maximum of information and can be flexibly integrated into existing systems at any time – this is what the market wants and what KHS provides with its attractively-priced Innocheck series. The Dortmund systems supplier offers a convincing and extensive portfolio for the canning segment in particular – right down the line. Its intelligent KHS Innocheck MMS machine management system is just one example application designed for can filling and seaming. It localizes faulty filling valves and closure elements and evaluates these. “The Innocheck MMS allows entire parameters to be precisely read out,” explains Henrik Kahrmann, who is responsible for labeling and inspection technology product support at KHS. “Through the evaluation thereof, canners and bottlers can trace faulty fillings back to individual valves and intervene in good time.”

Cutting-edge camera technology for perfect empty cans
In addition, KHS supplies a number of control options for the analysis of cans scheduled for filling with its Innocheck ECI empty can inspector. Using cutting-edge cameras, this tried-and-tested inspection unit quickly and thoroughly checks for the tiniest foreign bodies and indications of damage in the millimeter range, so that only perfect empty cans are fed to the filler. It examines the inner side wall and base area as well as the top edge of the can. Should the system detect any soiling or defects, the container is correctly rejected. “This step is important, as filling and seaming flawed containers can cause problems that hold up the entire production process,” says Kahrmann. The high-performance machine has an inspection rate of up to 135,000 cans an hour. What’s new here is the retrofittable ECI+ extension that can be easily integrated into existing systems as it takes up so little space. This permits additional monitoring of the inner shoulder area in an empty can, previously a blind spot in inspection.

Precise fill height control with X-ray
KHS has also expanded its range of fill height control equipment. To date, the modular Innocheck FHC fill height control worked with two systems – one to check for overfilling and a second to scan for underfilling using X-rays, states Kahrmann. “Up to now, we could only make spot checks of the fill height. With our new spatial-resolution system, we can now measure an entire fill height area using just one unit.” The optimized inspector isn’t just more precise and less elaborate; it also has one further key advantage, states Kahrmann. “Besides information as to whether the can is over- or underfilled, it also gives us the fill height as an absolute value. This is computed by an algorithm that’s insensitive to interference such as sloshing liquids. This enables our customers to see that their filling valves may still be functioning but are starting to show a drop in performance.” This makes it possible to maintain the individual valves affected in good time.

KHS inspection technology also includes the Innocheck CIC-R code inspection can reader. This examines printing and production codes on the can base with the help of state-of-the-art AI. If these are incomplete or incorrect, the inspection unit indicates this immediately. Affected containers can thus be ejected before they enter the downstream production steps.