Carton inspection with the new Checkmat VKX

The newly developed monitoring function in the Checkmat VKX, featuring X-ray technology, inspects open or closed packs made of cardboard and plastic, plus trays. It verifies that the full number of containers is present, and for PET bottles makes a rough check on the fills. In the case of returnable glass containers, the inspection function is effective through up to four bottles, and for non-returnables through up to six. In the empties zone, the Checkmat VKX is able to detect glass bottles or full PET containers in PET packs.
The pack being tested passes through the measuring bridge, which accommodates the transmitter and the receiver. Inspection is performed through the side of the pack, at right angles to the conveyor’s direction of travel. The Checkmat is installed either downstream of the packer, upstream of the palletiser for inspecting full packs, or upstream of the unpacker, downstream of the depalletiser for inspecting empties.  Pack pushers, distribution units or other ejection systems can be used for rejecting faulty packs. There is also an option for halting the conveyor if a faulty pack is detected.
The system additionally provides an option for detecting “open flaps”, pack colours and pack length. Analog and digital sensors can also be linked up, as can up to 6 camera systems for logo/label, barcode, date-stamping and carton quality.  Evaluation and tracking are managed by a DART-Checkmat which is operated via a touch-screen.
The Checkmat VKX can handle up to 4,500 packs an hour, with reference to a standard 20-bottle crate.