Olmec-UK Machine Vision Project Earns Innovation Award

A multifunctional eight-camera, two-stage inspection system developed by Olmec-UK of Barton-upon-Humber, England, has garnered the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA) award for Most Innovative Machine Vision Project.

From left, Rory Bremner, award event host; Fiona Pounder and Robert Pounder from Olmec-UK; Mark Williamson from award sponsor Stemmer Imaging; and Helen Fospero, event host. Photo courtesy of Olmec-UK.

The system, used for wound-care dressings in heat-sealed paper packaging pouches, provides automated vision control of product position within that packaging to minimize trapped in-seal faults, along with fully automated rejection of any defective product. It was recognized for “successful execution of a complex and complicated application, using a mix of camera, lighting and software,” PPMA judges said.

“This was a challenging project, both in terms of the vision requirements and the limited space available in which to integrate the vision components,” said Olmec Technical Director Robert Pounder. “Not only has it significantly reduced the number of trapped in-seal products produced, the system can provide information on trends in the manufacturing process and is used by the production team on a daily basis to understand system performance and to drive improvements.”

The Olmec team received “highly commended” recognition, as well, in the Partnership of the Year category, for its collaboration with Rofin-Baasel and Universal Converting Equipment in the development of a vision-based system for true real-time monitoring of perforation quality in laser-perforated flexible modified atmosphere packaging