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INDEC.Vacuum Inspection

K O C O S A U D E N T E C GMBH

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INDEC.

INDEC Test systems for the packaging industry

Ensuring  that  products  meet  the  highest  quality  standards is of paramount importance in food manufacturing. Vacuum packaging  is  a  major  method  of  preserving  food  without  resorting to chemical additives. However,  if  the packaging is defective,  foodstuffs  may  spoil  long  before  the  given  expiry date.

Vacuum  test  systems  developed  by  KoCoS  audentec  GmbH are used throughout the world to check a wide range of con-tainers, such as bottles, jars and tins, in-line during the produc-tion process. Non-contact  inspection  reliably  identifies defec-tive containers for automatic rejection.

Highly reliable and easy to use, these processor-controlled test systems are the first choice for many food manufacturers.

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INDEC vacuum test systems are turn-key  test  systems  for  100%  inspection within the production process. A sensor head  scans  the  closures of all  the  con- tainers which pass through on the convey- or and measures the cap panel deflection  which  is  dependent  on  the  vacuum  inside. The quality of the vacuum within a container and the leak  tightness  of  the  closure  can  be  assessed by comparing the measured data from the container under  test with  the data  from a  golden  sample  measured  previously.  

The INDEC vacuum test device is the central element of the test systems and consists  of  the processing unit  and  the control panel.

The sensor head contains the measure-ment  electronics.  The  connection  cable is  5  m  long  for  flexible  installation  in  accordance  with  site-specific  require-ments.

The connection unit is the installation interface of the vacuum test systems. 

The ejector unit consists of a pneumatic cylinder, a compressed air service unit and  adjustable holding brackets for the sensor  head and light barrier.

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Two system versionsfor different requirements

INDEC VA 100 and INDEC VA 200 are two versions of the test system designed for different production speeds and handling methods.

INDEC VA 200Optical sensor for any closure material and high production speeds

The optical sensor head of the INDEC VA 200 test system can check  containers at a  rate of up  to 1,200 units per minute. This  sensor  can  be  used  for  closures  made  of  any  material,  including  composite  or  plastic  lids,  aluminium  foils  and  standard metal  caps. All normally dimensioned closures  can be measured with one and the same sensor head.

INDEC VA 100 Inductive sensors for metal closures

The INDEC VA 100 test system can reach speeds of up to 600 units per minute. Two inductive sensors are available for alter-native  use,  enabling  tests  to  be  performed  on  commercially available metal closures of any conventional diameter.

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The optical sensor head

Non-contact testing

The sensor head cannot collide with containers on the convey-or because of the large working distance of the sensor.

Fast and easy format changeover

Not  only  does  the  optical  sensor  reach  high  test  speeds,  it also  has  the  major  advantage  of  providing  easy  handling,  especially  for  frequent  format  changeovers.  Because  of  the large working distance of  the  sensor, manual adjustments  are not necessary when testing containers of varying heights. The system  can be  set up at  the  touch of  a button using  saved parameter sets.

Automatic parameterization with teach-in function

In order to react quickly to process events, it must be possible to alter parameters quickly and specifically.The  optical  sensor  head  features  a  user-friendly,  time-saving teach-in function. The control panel guides the operator step-by-step through the teach-in process. Object-specific test para-meters and operating data are generated automatically.The  instructions  are  so  clear  that  even  inexperienced  users have no difficulty using the teach-in function.

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Modular system structure

Thanks  to  their  modular  structure  and  many  configuration  options, INDEC systems can easily be adapted to meet a wide range  of  different  requirements.  The  INDEC  test  device  is  always the central component of the test system. All cabling, the  power  cable  included,  is  routed  through  the  connection unit of the system. This makes it easy to replace components or add new ones without having to disconnect existing cable connections.The  connection  unit  provides  all  the  necessary  cable  inputs enabling components to be connected directly without an in-termediate junction box.

„Plug and play“ sensor swap

INDEC  vacuum  test  systems  can  be  equipped  with  various different  sensor  heads.  Sensors  can  be  connected  quickly  and easily by plug-in connection.

The  system  does  not  need  to  be  shut  down  for  the  purpose  and  is  ready  for  operation  immediately  

as no further intervention is required.

Should  production  conditions  change,  INDEC can  be  adapted  accordingly  by  fitting  an  appropriate sensor.

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Intuitive operation

The systems feature a robust membrane keypad and a high-contrast colour graphical display. All user controls are located on the front panel of the test device for good access and easy operation with a clear view of the process environment. 

Clear colour graphics

The  colour  graphics  used  for  the display  of  measurement  results  guarantee  optimum presentation and visual percep-tion of all information. Specially selected colours contribute to the clear design of the  user  interface.  Intuitive  graphical displays and symbols maximise clarity.

Easy system access

An Ethernet  connection  is provided for  carrying  out  system  maintenance and upgrades on site or via remote access. As well as being used for remote maintenance, this interface can also be used for the central collection of production data. The analysis and archiving of this data contributes to effective quality manage-ment.

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Ejector unitcompact and pre-assembled

The components of the ejector unit are pre-mounted on a base plate, ready for operation. The entire unit can be fixed directly to the conveyor and is ready for operation as soon as connec-tions are made to the compressed air and electricity supplies.

Because of its compact design, the ejector can be installed at any point in the production line.

The  ejector  unit  is  provided  with  pre-drilled  holes  enabling  users to  integrate the ejector unit  in the production environ-ment and install additional components themselves.

The ejector and the holding bracket can easily be adjusted to suit container dimensions.

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Options for customised solutions and high flexibility

INDEC  test  systems  can  be  extended  very  simply  by  the  addition of various options. This means that it is easy to add to  the  functionality  of  the  systems  in  response  to  changing requirements. 

Ejector monitoring

The  function  of  the  ejector  can  be  monitored  continuous-ly  to  check  that  faulty  containers  are  ejected  correctly.  If no  movement  of  the  ejector  cylinder  is  detected  when  a  faulty container is identified, this is indicated automatically by one of the alarm outputs. 

Evaluationof external control signals

The evaluation of external control signals makes  INDEC test systems  suitable  for  a  wide  range  of  different  applications. The applications listed below serve as examples of the many  possible uses of this option:  

n  Joint use of the ejector by external systems

n Integration of more than one INDEC test system or of    individual sensors, such as sensors for fill level inspection

n  Evaluation of a key-driven eject command to remove   containers for sampling

System synchronisation for variable line speeds

INDEC  systems  can  be  synchronized  with  the  speed  of  the  conveyor when the line speed varies. A rotary encoder ensures that  the ejector  is always  controlled with  the greatest preci-sion.

Both  the  start/stop  light  barrier  for  the  measurement  pro- cedure  and  the  rotary  encoder  itself  can  be  monitored  for  

correct functioning.

Rotary encoders with a resolution of 100 and 1000 pulses per revolution and with protection class IP68 or IP69K are available for different drive speeds.

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Technical data

Measurement methodContinuous in-line vacuum inspection by measuring the deflection of container closures.

INDEC VA 100Max. test speed 600 units/minuteField of application Metal closuresSensor head 2 inductive sensors18 mm Ø sensor Closures from 38 to 110 mm Ø

Working distance 2 to 5 mm30 mm Ø sensor Closures from 48 to 110 mm Ø

Working distance 5 to 9 mm

INDEC VA 200Max. test speed 1,200 units/minuteField of application Reflective materialsSensor head Optical sensor

Closures from 30 to 110 mm ØWorking distance > 100 mm

Connection to power supplyRated voltage 88 to 264 VAC, 47 to 63 HzWattage 65 W

EnvironmentOperating temperature 0 to 50°CRelative humidity 5% to 85%  (non-condensing)

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CLEAR INFO

ESC OK

KoCoS audentec GmbHSuedring 42D-34497 Korbach, GermanyPhone  +49 5631 9596-0Fax   +49 5631 9596-17info@kocos.comwww.kocos.com

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