Machine Automation
Location: USA
Project Introduction:
Asthe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bar-code regulation raisespackaging standards, drug manufacturers are turning to increasinglysophisticated machine vision inspection solutions for optical characterverification to inspect human-readable data such as the date, lot code,and expiration date on drug labels as well as reading bar code, logosand directions.
System Requirements:
Atypical blister pack, measuring only 3 x 5 inches, may hold as many as20 tablets, and drug companies are often looking to simultaneously readeach RSS / CS code on as many as four blister packs at line speeds ofup to 150 packs per minute. This demand poses a challenge for modern2-D imaging products (array-based CCD products), which lack theresolution to read all the cods in a single field of view. Any solutionsupported by array-based CCD product often requires as many as 10cameras to meet the desired field-of-view and line speed requirements.
Project Implementation:
- PPC-6172F 17" SXGA TFT LCD Celeron M Fanless Industrial Panel PC with 2 x PCI Slots
System Diagram:
System Description:
The most efficient solution involves a line-scan camera, a frame grabber and Advantech’s IPPC-6172F.
- Asingle 2K line-scan camera can easily capture the required field ofview with more than enough resolution, 3 pixels per element with a6-inch-wide field of view, to enable pharmaceutical companies to readevery code.
- Standardhigh performance Industrial Panel PC delivers, controls and storesadequate image and information for inspection and printing.
Conclusion:
TheIPPC-6172F provides an excellent interface for this solution, becauseit can also provide active mimic diagrams, alarms, event logs andmore. The simplicity of the display allows operators of allknowledge levels to understand UPS status and operation at a glance,limiting operator errors.
After implementing, the solution also provided the following benefits:
- Increased Reliability
- Quicker Time to Market
- Reduced Cost of Ownership
- Increased Security
- Accessible
