Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News
Magazine
PMPN Article Index
Originally Published October 2000
PRODUCT UPDATE
SENSORS: Aid Process Control
Compact, versatile components keep product and package quality high.
A tiny diffuse laser sensor is designed for precise part recognition of extremely small assembly items and also for restricted-space applications in packaging, pharmaceutical, and other technology industries. Measuring
A series of resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) is available to OEMs and production-line designers for in-line process applications where temperature monitoring is critical, but intrusive temperature probes are not practical. The SNI series has been designed as an off-the-shelf RTD temperature sensor for the measurement of in-process product in pharmaceutical lines, among other uses. The in-line sensors are offered to fit a variety of pipe sizes ranging up to 4 in. OD, and come with sanitary fittings for direct installation into process lines. All internal flow surfaces are polished to a sanitary finish that inhibits corrosion and bacterial growth; a finish of 4–10 µin. is available optionally. Burns Engineering Inc., Minnetonka, MN.
Compact luminescence detectors can read ultraviolet markings and labels on such highly reflective surfaces as metals, bottles, mirrors, and ceramics, and are suited for verifying packaging seals. The LDµ detectors have a 250-microsecond response time, making them compatible with high-speed production lines. Units can be configured for operating distances of 9–30 mm and spot diameters of 5–7 mm. The detector is equipped with a special filter that senses only visible light that has been produced by fluorescence, so other light sources cannot interfere with readings. Its solid-state UV light source is good for more than 100,000 hours of service. Balluff Inc., Florence, KY.
A machine vision system consisting of an integrated image-processing and programmable logic controller (PLC) is designed for a variety of static and high-speed inspection applications. The EZ Vision sensor can perform up to 15,000 inspections per minute using a square-pixel 1/3-in. CCD progressive-scan camera or, optionally, two cameras for two views of the target. System features include storage of as many as 16 different inspection programs, each with up to four inspection or measurement functions; 256 levels of gray scale; template matching with normalized correlation; rotational correction; and numerous general-purpose inspection tools. The compact PLC-based controller incorporates 15 input-output points, 128 internal registers, 8 timers, 8 counters, parallel and serial interfaces, and a handheld remote-setup keypad with cable. Cincinnati Industrial Automation Ltd., Covington, KY.
A label sensor is designed to detect metal, foil, hot-stamp, clear-film, and paper labels with the same degree of accuracy. Unlike other clear-label sensors, the LRD6100 can reliably detect metal labels and labels employing hot-stamp, foil, or metallic printing media without any need for changing label-dependent sensors. Setup is easy owing to the incorporation of innovative metal adjustment screws and an integral signal meter. Lion Precision, St. Paul, MN.
A fully automated high-speed inspection system offers pharmaceutical printers and packagers the capability to perform 100% web and label inspection. The PharmaVision system can detect flaws smaller than 0.010 in. while scanning the complete web at production speeds up to 800 ft/min. Easily integrated with most presses, rewinders, or inspection stages, the system includes a user-friendly touch screen from which operators can adjust detection sensitivity to accord with the degree to which accuracy is critical. Its automated intelligent converting function moves inspection data captured on-press to postproduction processes in order to continually optimize the throughput and yield of the printing operation. Focus Automation Systems Inc., Waterloo, ON, Canada.
A series of 18-mm ultrasonic sensors provide short-range sensing in dual-level control applications where mounting space is limited. Sensors in the Superprox Model SM602 series can monitor and control the level of most nonhazardous liquids and dry materials within sensing ranges up to 12 in. Available in models offering a selection of near- and far-limit parameters, alarm limits, types of output, and operating functions, the sensors can be configured for specific on-off latch control or for dual-alarm sensing. They come with either Ultem plastic or Type 303 stainless-steel housings, and are epoxy sealed to withstand typical harsh level-control environments. Applications include level detection in small containers such as pharmaceutical vials, filling process control, emptying process control, paper web control, and tension monitoring and control. Hyde Park Electronics Inc., Dayton, OH.
A flow-through pressure transducer is designed for the in-line monitoring of high-purity specialty gas processes in pharmaceutical and biotechnology systems, gas-delivery systems, and similar high-tech applications. The Model 224 uses patented variable-capacitance technology to provide optimal zero stability and long-term performance quality. It tolerates system torsion and welding effects, and can withstand bakeout to 185°F without any effect on calibration. The sensor has a small streamlined sensor chamber made of Type 316L stainless steel electropolished to a finish of 7 Ra. It offers measurement ranges of 0–25 to 0–3000 psi in gauge, absolute, and compound pressure, and bar ranges of 0–7 to 0–200. Setra Systems Inc., Boxborough, MA.
A load-sensing device is designed to overcome problems associated with difficult-to-detect loads so that products will not be partially wrapped, have too much film applied over the top, or be inconsistently covered from load to load. The intelli-sensor accurately detects the heights of all types of loads, being unaffected by such product characteristics as material, color, density, texture, shape, distance, or surface glare, or by movement in the background of the sensing area. It comes factory preset for each system and requires no subsequent adjustment or maintenance. The sensor can detect virtually any type of product and performs in dusty environments and at temperatures as low as 31°F. It is available as standard on the manufacturer's stretch-wrapping equipment and can be retrofitted to existing machines. Lantech Inc., Louisville, KY.
An industrial smart camera provides a complete vision system in a 100 x 50 x 36-mm, 250-g package. The VC38 comprises a Sony 1/3-in. progressive-scan sensor that provides a pixel resolution of 640 x 480; a fast digital signal processor; 8 MByte of SDRAM; and 2 MByte of nonvolatile flash EPROM. The camera features optically isolated industrial input-output, an RS-232 serial port, pixel-identical sensor readout, and a video output signal that can be displayed on any standard VGA monitor. Running on a nominal 12 V dc, it supports full-frame integration/image acquisition, program-controlled and external triggering, and high- and low-speed shuttering operations. The system can handle a variety of gauging, inspection, orientation, and recognition assignments, including reading bar codes, alphanumeric characters, and symbols. Vision Components, Cambridge, MA.
Rugged inductive proximity sensors with integral LEDs are fully sealed for operation in harsh environments. The sensors offer choices of PNP or NPN output, flush or nonflush mounting style, cylindrical or rectangular body design, and integral cable or plug connection. The cylindrical barrel styles are offered with installation diameters of 4 and 6.5 mm, and thread sizes of M5, M8, M12, M18, and M30. The series includes both ac and dc sensors with switching ranges of 0.8–15 mm, and switching frequencies of 25 Hz to 3 kHz. The sensors are made of stainless steel or nickel-plated brass, and are CE compliant. Festo Corp., Hauppauge, NY.
An ultraviolet transmittance analyzer that meets design requirements of USP XXIII can measure the maximum percent transmittance of light-resistant pharmaceutical containers. The benchtop UV-1000P measures the diffuse transmittance of the sample in the UV region of 250–450 nm. A dual-diode-array spectrometer with xenon flash lamp and an integrating sphere together provide instantaneous spectral acquisition. One-touch sample analysis produces results in less than 5 seconds. The analyzer includes easy-to-use software that calculates percent transmittance and average values for the UVA and UVB spectral regions. Labsphere Inc., North Sutton, NH.
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