The Orientation machine will monitor jars of Nescafé coffee. The firm said it is the first time Nestlé has installed this type of technology.
Strict reject specifications
The machine is equipped with two cameras; one checks the jar on four sides; the second ensures the jars are placed correctly on the carousel before being packaged.
Laura Archer, corporate communications manager, Nestlé, told BeverageDaily, the firm is always looking for ways to improve its products.
“We are always looking at ways to innovate our products so that consumers can continue to enjoy high quality and great tasting food and beverages,” she said.
A spokesman for PE Labellers, based in Mantua, Italy, said it is hoping its machines will replace current technology at Nestlé and be pushed out to other global facilities.
Product inspection
He said Nestlé has strict packaging specifications, which includes a reject percentage of less than 0.05%, and the Orientation machine was able to decrease that percentage to 0.02%.
“If the packaging orientation on a carousel is not completed and correct it sends a reject command to the ejector at the machine outfeed,” he added.
“Having a second camera may initially seem redundant, but it has been deemed necessary as Nestlé wants the absolute certainty that no jar reaches the empty bottle inspector with the wrong orientation, before being filled.
“Incorrect orientation could create empty jar inspection errors that Nestlé wants to avoid.”