Solutions
Cookies, Crackers and Rice Thins
Provide quantitative data to monitor process quality.
Vision Inspection of Cookies, Crackers and Rice Thins
Dimensional and color characteristics are important to cookie, cracker, wafer, and rice cake producers, and it can be difficult to quantify those traits with visual and manual inspection methods.
An over-line or in-line vision monitoring system can provide continuous, quantitative data that can be used to identify process issues, make real-time changes, and create a library of information for analysis. A bench-top vision system allows for statistical analysis from different production lines, providing instantaneous data and images, along with historical reporting. An off-line vision tool removes subjective grading of products, manual measurements, and data entry; replaced with consistent, quantitative results.
An in-line vision system equipped with a rejection module will automatically remove faulty product, particularly those pieces that will cause stacking and/or packaging disruptions.
Inspection System Measurement Capability
Whether you want to sample or provide 100% inspection, Montrose Technologies has a solution to match your application.
Benchtop
The complete, stand-alone SnapQC™ system uses a high-speed, non-contact imaging method to capture a wide range of object information such as color, height, diameter, slope, symmetry, length, volume and weight.
In-line
The MT-Series™ of in-line systems allow 100% inspection with top and bottom color and a full set of rejection options. The systems are easy to use, sanitize and have a low annual maintenance cost and provide real-time data for operators.
Over-line
FocalPoint™ over-line systems can be incorporated into an existing production line. They are easily installed, versatile, low-cost turn-key solutions for continuous inspection which provide real-time data for operators.
Types of Analysis and Rejection
Vision inspection systems employ high-speed cameras and lasers in combination with Montrose imaging software to detect and measure randomly oriented and sized objects on a conveyor belt. Data from the laser and imaging devices produce 2D, 3D and color information which is fed into the analysis software. LED lighting systems are designs with the specific product the system is analyzing to ensure the most efficient imaging occurs. Each system, whether benchtop, in-line or over-line, is designed along the same principles. The laser and profile camera produce the three-dimensional information while the separate top and bottom camera perform the two dimensional and color analysis.
Rejection systems vary between systems and product types and are designed according to customer specification. Montrose develops and manufactures a complete set of solutions for the baked goods and snack food industry.
3D Measurements
- Profile height calculations
- Slope
- Mean height
- Peak height
- Center height
- Side-to-side slope
- End-to-end slope
2D Analysis of Shape
- Mean diameter
- Maximum diameter
- Minimum diameter
- Surface Area
- Volume
- Roundness
- Width/Length
Top and Bottom Color
- Top average color
- Bottom average color
- Area missing topping
- Topping % area covering
- Split width
- Light and dark area
- Hole size and shape
Rejection Features
- Reject rates by cause with fault type and alarm
- Rejected product displayed to operator and imaged
- Generate Pareto charts
- Rejection settings are configurable
Vision System Components
In-line and Over-line Inspection
The type and size of food product transported through the vision system will determine the number of cameras needed for the measurement requirements, the individual product rejection method, and hygienic/environmental considerations. Furthermore, vision inspection systems may include other customized material handling solutions such as automatic de-kissing of product, automatic box loading, and multi-route sorting.
