Empty-bottle inspection for the low output segment

Since the smaller breweries and beverage producers also need a high degree of dependability in their bottling operations, Krones has come up with an empty-bottle inspector designed specifically for mid-tier applications. The Smartronic K 714 has a machine rating of maximum 18,000 containers an hour. It features high-resolution DART (distributed architecture for real time) camera technology and is operated from a 12.5 cm touch screen. Its space-saving dimensions, moreover, enable it to be easily integrated into existing lines.

Empty-bottle inspection of containers between 150 and 350 mm in height, with a diameter of 50-95 mm, utilises four inspection units: base inspection, sealing surface inspection, residual-liquid detection and sidewall inspection with a camera. The CCD cameras installed in the units operate throughout with DART technology, which exhibits a high level of grey-scale value resolution. For the rejection unit, users can choose between a Flexipush and a Directpush including a counting mechanism. Rejection monitoring is a standard feature in all Krones empty-container inspectors. If a rejection is missed, it will trigger a machine halt.

To verify the inspection results, the machine incorporates a test container program featuring multifunction test containers. After a defined number of containers, or a specified period of elapsed time, the operator will be automatically reminded to run the test container program. The results are displayed and automatically stored in memory. Storage of all relevant operational data is a reassuring precaution in the context of product liability. For the Smartronic K 714 empty-bottle inspector, there is an option for remote maintenance, which is available 24/7.