Intelligent web inspection enhances productivity

Turn-key "Smash" modular inspection systems from ISRA Surface Vision GmbH (Herten, Germany) incorporate new intelligent tools to scan the surfaces of plastic web products quickly and effectively, providing the capability to detect various surface defects. Plastic film, foils, printed flexible packaging, labels, RFID cells, and even flexible solar cells and organic photovoltaics can be monitored using the systems

One example of such an intelligent tool is an in-line inspection system with an event capturing (EC) system that visually records any machine events that lead to production defects, and automatically send warnings to the production team as well as carrying out automated analyses to identify the causes of defects. Web product manufacturers and converters can now intervene quickly, which helps to prevent defects and to increase quality and productivity. ISRA will be on hand at the K Show at  Stand 10/D26 to introduce processors and convertors to such systems.

Another K highlight is the Smash sheet process integration tool for evaluating the quality of sheets. When manufacturing individual sheets from web products, once the sheets are covered with a protective film after being cut lengthwise or crosswise, they can oftentimes no longer be automatically inspected. With this tool, however, the quality of individual sheets can be evaluated before being cut-to-size. The evaluation is made in three quality steps: OK, not OK and marginal and defective areas can be elimiated from the final product.-Stephen Moore