Antares Vision Group (AVG) recently introduced a new series of inspection machines that offer comprehensive, customizable packaging inspections for food and beverage applications. The company’s All-in-One equipment portfolio incorporates multiple inspection controls into single machines, maximizing production space and labor efficiencies while also meeting manufacturers’ quality control needs.

The All-in-One series includes several features that can be combined, balancing the needs of multifaceted quality control and streamlined production optimization. The All-in-One models enable food and beverage companies to:

• Check for the presence of micro-holes in packaging: All-in-One models can incorporate an in-line system to detect micro-holes. This functionality is applicable to both trays and flow packs, and does not require changing line speed or composing gas for product conservation. Based on IR spectroscopy or gas sensors, the system selectively, quickly, and accurately identifies the presence of target molecules exiting the package, indicating a micro-hole. For precision micro-hole detection, it is possible to use CO2 as the target molecule for products in modified atmosphere packaging, alcohol for the bakery sector, and common flavorings for certain other products.
• Check for the presence of foreign bodies: X-rays are used to detect fragments of glass, bone, metal, plastic, or stones that may have accidentally ended up in the product during the production process, or as raw materials leftovers.
• Check the product weight: Weight checks help avoid food waste, monitor and optimize production line efficiency, and comply with North American and EU regulations concerning product weight inspection.
• Check product seals: All-in-One machines can utilize hyperspectral technology to detect the presence of food in the seals of transparent, colored, and opaque packaging.
• Check labels and codes: The system prevents products with labeling errors (such as incorrect expiration date or lot code) or other incorrect information from reaching the market.

Other advantages of the All-in-One series include reduced machine dimensions (with a similar footprint as most standard checkweighers), a single user interface overseeing all inspection parameters, differentiated waste and automatic recipe settings, and reduced energy consumption. In addition, each machine in AVG’s All-in-One series can be integrated into the company’s Digital Factory software platform, which seamlessly connects all solutions to optimize production and monitor efficiency. Furthermore, by leveraging AVG’s expertise, food and beverage business operators can integrate inspection results and attributes with end-to-end product traceability, ensuring transparency and safety along the supply chain.