SmartLine2: Next generation of starwheel inspection

Speed, reliability and flexibility in glass container inspection

Glass Maschinery, Plants & Accessories Nov./Dec. 2018 - read full article

SmartLine 2 is the latest generation of Heye’s starwheel inspection machine series. Developed and manufactured at Heye International’s dedicated Cold End Centre in Nienburg, Germany, SmartLine 2 glass container inspection equipment can be configured in several different ways, with up to six inspection stations available. The Nienburg facility employs a team of experts and features a modern production layout. Importantly, the centre is close to the Ardagh Group’s Nienburg glassworks to undertake essential testing work.

Flexible inspection options

Among the SmartLine 2’s highlights are faster job changes thanks to the equipment’s improved design and accessibility, the potential to use existing tooling sets and its enhanced user interface. Full data connectivity to all plant information systems is possible, with easy integration into existing lines. As well as featuring the latest non-contact inspection innovations, the equipment benefits from outstanding control reliability to avoid downtime.

Depending on the customer’s requirements, various container characteristics can be checked:

• Tightness.
• Finish diameters.
• Container height.
• Finish and shoulder checks.
• Bottom and heel checks.
• Body checks.
• Wall thickness inspection (non-contact).
• Defects on the finish surface (LOF - line over finish).
• Out-of-round, body diameter.
• Mould number reading (dot code and alphanumeric).
• Dark check inspection.
   

In addition, the latest non-contact inspection features are integrated, as well as a self-learning system for camera-based check detection.