Packaging Solutions

Leading Edge Detection

Sensors detect the leading edge of pallets, polybags, blister packs, envelopes, tubes, and a wide range of difficult to detect targets.

T-GAGE M18T Series Temperature Sensors are passive, non-contacting, temperature-based devices designed to detect objects that are hotter or colder than the ambient condition, and then activate an output. In this application, the T-GAGE temperature sensor will detect the presence or absence of hot glue on the flaps of the package. If the hot glue is present, the process will continue and the package will be sealed. If it’s absent, the output will trigger a process to apply the hot glue.

Hot Glue Detection on a Package

Banner’s T-GAGE M18T temperature sensor is ideal for hot glue verification because it detects the infrared energy an object emits to determine its temperature, sensing from 0⁰C to 300⁰C. In this application, the T-GAGE M18T temperature sensor detects the presence or absence of hot glue on the flaps. If hot glue is present, the package will continue down the manufacturing line;if it is missing, the output will trigger a pusher arm to kick the carton off the conveyor into a bin.

Machine Monitoring/Overall Equipment Effectiveness

• Expand available data beyond local indication • Gather information necessary to react quickly • Drive efficiency improvements based on data previously unavailable

Monitor Production I/O for Better Equipment Effectiveness

Monitoring production inputs and outputs provides machine operators and managers with critical data about their processes and equipment and can help them identify and resolve problems on the production line more quickly.

Monitor Roll Diameter and Increase Machine Uptime

Your machines need a constant supply of materials to keep production going. Knowing when they’re running low is critical. Snap Signal provides this data and makes it available for viewing anywhere it’s needed.

Measure Throughput and OEE on a Case Sealer

Maximize throughput and reduce downtime by harnessing existing data from your equipment.

Bring In IO-link Sensor Data for Tank Level Applications Wirelessly

Wirelessly integrate IO-link sensor data for tank level monitoring with Banner's DXM controllers and T30R sensors for accurate, remote data analysis.

Counting Multicolored Reflective Packages on a Conveyor

Sensor solutions to verify packaging and count on conveyor. Foil and film packaging such as tea bags, multiple colors on packaging material.

Controlling Line Pressure of Clear Food Trays at Denester

Using a sensor in clear object sensing mode to ensure proper staging of plastic trays during denesting process.

Counting Transparent Plastic Containers on a Conveyor

Sensor solutions to count containers that are made of clear plastic when containers are various shapes and have ridges.

Transparent Glass Bottle, Vial, or Plate Detection

Sensor solutions to recognize clear glass vials and bottles in high-speed application with precise leading edge detection.

Detecting Various Registration Marks

Hamer, LLC is a Minnesota-based manufacturer of automated packaging equipment for a wide variety of applications and world-wide customers. From pet food to pellet fuels, Hamer machinery packages products in a variety of weights and sizes at speeds up to 60 bags per minute. A vital component of Hamer’s equipment is registration mark sensing—the ability to detect marks on packaging as it passes at high speeds. When a mark is detected, the equipment cuts the packaging at the designated location, eliminating waste and ensuring each bag is consistent.

High-Speed Registration Mark Detection

Banner’s Q3X versatile, rugged laser contrast sensor is ideal for detecting registration marks. With a range up to 300 mm, the Q3X has a tight laser spot able to detect a small white registration mark reliably. When the Q3X detects the white registration mark, the intensity readout increases and a discrete output is triggered, indicating the white registration mark is present and it is the correct package going down the line.

Detecting Registration Marks on Labels

Banner’s R58 high-speed, low-contrast expert registration sensor detects subtle registration marks on the labels as they pass at high speed—ensuring the label is cut at precisely the right moment for correct label placement. To accommodate frequent changeovers, the sensor is designed with LED color options—which automatically change depending which color best optimizes contrast.

Splice Detection in a Paper Roll

Banner’s R58 Expert registration mark high color resolution sensor is a high-performing sensor with an ultra fast 10 kHz switching frequency that quickly detects splices and other defects that are otherwise hard to detect. The high sensitivity of the R58 Expert detects the inconspicuous splice in a roll of paper to ensure the printer skips over the splice during the press process.

Toothpaste Registration Mark Verification

As empty tubes go down the manufacturing line, a visible light sensor can verify a toothpaste tube’s registration mark before being filled and sealed. Banner’s high-speed R58 visible light color contrast sensor is an extremely powerful sensor for registration mark applications and can easily read marks on high-gloss and low-contrast surfaces, detecting contrasts as low as two percent over a wide range of colors.

Guarding Conveyor Entry on Palletizer Machines

Safeguarding palletizer machines present many challenges to keep personnel safe and maintain efficient production. The new SGS Safety Grid with muting arm bar kit protects the dangerous robotic machinery while allowing boxes to pass through the Grids without stopping production. The muting arms can recognize if anything other than a box passes through the Grids and will trigger a machine stop on the palletizer.

Simplifying Safety Feature Management

Algus Packaging Inc. is a leader in the heat seal and thermoform packaging industry. They design, develop and manufacture high-performance sealing machines, thermoformed packaging and offer full service contract packaging. The machinery and services offered by Algus provide their customers with the ability to change and grow as business needs dictate, now and in the future.

Robotic Palletizer Safeguarding

Banner’s XS26-2 is a flexible, easy-to-use safety controller with an intuitive programming environment, with the capacity to handle current machine processes and the flexibility to add up to eight I/O expansion modules as machine automation grows or changes. A broad spectrum of safety devices are supported, allowing for complex applications to be configured and downloaded to the controller in a minimal amount of time for efficient machine commissioning.

Safeguarding Access Points to a Depalletizer

An LS Series safety light curtain with a mute arm kit in T-configuration combined with an XS26 Series safety controller is an easy-to-implement solution that protects staff from potential hazards without disrupting the flow of pallets to the depalletizer.

Barcode Presence and Rotation

An iVu BCR Series barcode reader with rotation range detection reads the barcode on medical product packaging and verifies that it is correctly aligned for heat sealing.

Barcode Reading on Pallet

Banner’s TCNM linear barcode scanner is recommended for scanning and validating the barcodes. It is able to decode over a dozen commonly used linear barcode symbols helping maintain an efficient flow of bottles along the production line. Utilizing the TCNM linear sensor allows for an automated way to confirm the correct product in real time.

Barcode Reading

ABR Series barcode readers can be used to solve track and trace applications, offering increased resolution to read smaller codes, over a larger target area, and at greater distances. Polarization is now available in both 1.3 MP and 2 MP ABR 7000 models for improved performance on targets with reflective surfaces or where glare is present. Our highest resolution camera, the VE is also available in only-barcode reading models, as well as the original vision camera-only model. This makes our VE series is the highest-resolution barcode reader in our portfolio, designed to better solve complex applications.

Improving Productivity with Pick-to-Light Products

Learn how eFlex Systems empowered a hydraulic pump manufacturer with its turn-key platform and Banner's PTL110 pick-to-light devices to improve productivity and reduce errors in their assembly processes.

Illuminating Inside A Cartoner

Banner’s WLS28 LED Light Strips allow operators to identify frozen dinners that have not properly entered a carton and fix the problem with minimal downtime. Their long-lasting and durable cool white light means they’re an energy-efficient solution for illuminating the inside of a cartoner. IP69K rated, they can handle frequent machine wash down procedures.

Case Stacker Inventory and Presence Detection

The two point teach option on the analog setting can be used teach the front of the flat cases as the 20 mA point and can easily be adjusted for a manual set of the 4 mA to the end of the cases. This helps gauge how many flat cases are left, so more cases can be added when the case count is getting low. The digital output can also be used for presence detection. This helps ensure there is a case available to be picked up, and also ensures only one box is picked up at a time.

Monitoring Plastic Tray Levels on a Denester Machine

Tracking tray levels on a denester machine ensures that product is replenished in a timely manner and does not affect production.

Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine Solutions

Ultrasonic Sensor: Banner’s T30UX ultrasonic sensor delivers accurate distance sensing to provide a non-contact method to measure the roll of film’s diameter. By determining the roll’s radius, the vertical form fill seal machine can calculate the amount of film that remains and can signal the operator when it is low. The material should be advancing a predetermined distance equal to the desired length of each bag or package.

Loop Control of Clear Plastic

The detection of clear plastic is always a challenge. The optical beam of traditional photoelectric sensors will burn through clear material, making sensing results unreliable.

Clear Material Loop Control

Banner’s T30UX ultrasonic sensor is the perfect sensor for detecting clear material for loop control because it uses sound rather than light, which makes it more accurate and cost-effective for this specific application. Although the material is clear, it presents a solid surface for an ultrasonic sensor to bounce a sound wave. The T30UX has a more accurate transducer, a smaller dead zone and minimum distance compared to other sensors that can be used for clear material detection.

Leading Edge Detection of Packages with a Thin, Flexible Edge

Banner’s LX Series is an economical solution for detecting the leading edge of flat objects, such as the frozen dinner containers. With a web of modulated light, the LX Series part-sensing light screen can detect any item—in any position—passing through the light screen.

Refrigerated Breakfast Roll Detection on Multi-Lane Conveyor

Dark packaging with multiple colors transitions can be difficult to detect with traditional red LED sensors. Banner Engineering’s miniature VS8 photoelectric sensor with blue LED works well with low reflectivity labels to detect refrigerated food packaged in pressurized cans. The small sensors fit into tight spaces and work well for short range applications. The blue LED works with the small spot size to minimize the effects of color transitions on the labels.

Accurate Label Inspection

The company was experiencing several quality control issues—bottles were coming off the line with missing, skewed and double labels. As a result, the customer was scrapping over 2,000 bottles a month, a process which requires them to cut out the mislabeled portion of the bottles and re-grind the plastic for reuse. Further, the labeling errors began prompting serious customer complaints. To avoid scrapping additional bottles and losing loyal customers, the company came to Banner for a label inspection solution.

Combined Inspections Used to Meet Quality Standards

Bottles incorrectly packed into bliss trays for sale in club stores did not properly display product labels and had to be returned to the company.

Cap Orientation Verification

Banner’s Q4X laser sensor, made of 316L grade stainless steel, is very suitable for pharmaceutical environments and other aseptic filling areas. The Q4X has a sensing range of 25 to 300 mm, precise beam spot size and can effectively detect the orientation of caps as they exit a feeder bowl. If any caps are upside down, the Q4X will detect a height difference and reject the cap.

High-Speed Soybean Counting

To solve this application, Banner Engineering has paired the technology of the D10D Expert with fiber optic arrays optimized for small object counting to create the D10 Expert Small Object Counter. The preconfigured fiber optic arrays of the Small Object Counter make alignment and object positioning control less critical than when using single point emitter and receiver fiber optic assemblies. This assures reliable, consistent small object counting.

Preventing Shipping Errors at a Large Distribution Center

The customer was looking for a single-output solution that senses packages quickly, is easy to install and maintain, and was affordable enough to buy in bulk quantities if needed.

Flap Detection on Packaged Frozen Dinners

The QS18LD laser diffuse sensor scans across the top of the package to see if any flaps are open. The laser diffuse sensor provides accurate detection to verify whether the frozen packages are sealed properly.

Date/Lot Code Verification on Food Cartons

Banner’s rugged PresencePLUS P4 Sealed OMNI vision sensor works well for date/lot codes because it uses Optical Character Verification/OCV inspection to ensure the correct day and lot code are printed legibly. With an IP68-rated housing, the sensor is ideal in food and beverage applications because it can withstand harsh wash-down environments. The P4 OMNI sensor easily locates the region of the carton magazine that needs to be inspected for date/lot codes by verifying the edge of the box. Wi

Verifying Product Logo on Paperboard Packaging

A VE Series Smart Camera inspects the product logo on each box before the tube of toothpaste is inserted. As a box enters the inspection area, it is detected by a sensor on the line and an output is sent to the trigger input on the camera, which captures an image of the region of interest (ROI). A red LED ring light powered by the camera enhances the contrast between the product logo and the surrounding packaging.

Food Packaging Label Inspection

To verify each box is correct, an iVu Series sensor is configured for a Match inspection with 360 degree rotation enabled. An image of the correct box is captured and when the inspection is running, if the sensor detects an incorrect box, the sensor sends a fail output to the line, and the product is rejected.

Label Inspection

To verify each product, an iVu Series sensor is configured for a Match inspection. An image of a good product package is captured. When the inspection is running, if the sensor detects a package with a different or missing label, the sensor sends a fail output to the line, and the product is rejected.

Correct Label Verification

An iVu TG Image Sensor works well for label verification because it comes with four sensor types, including a match sensor. The match sensor determines whether a pattern on a label matches a reference pattern and if it is correctly oriented. With just the touch of a button—or remotely through a PLC—users can easily teach the iVu image sensor to recognize and match the correct label pattern, requiring no image processing expertise.

Full Case Detection and Cap Color Inspection

A PresencePLUS P4 COLOR OMNI vision sensor verifies that a case is fully packed with bottles with matching bottle caps. The sensor detects whether any bottles are missing from the case, whether any bottles are uncapped, and whether any caps are the wrong color.

Detecting Plastic Wrap on a Can

In the application shown, the plastic wrap surrounding the cap and the top of the can serves several purposes: it acts as a tamper-proof seal on the can, it prevents the cap from disconnecting during transit, and it holds the applicator tool to the can. Additionally, the plastic serves as error-proofing to protect customers from spilling the contents before they are ready to use it. For these reasons it is important that cans without the plastic wrap are rejected.

Orientation Verification

This application uses an iVu Series sensor configured for a Match inspection. It ensures that the music label is face up and within a small rotational tolerance. If the sensor detects a CD that is incorrectly oriented, it sends a failure to the line, and the CD is rejected.

Detecting Bottle Caps of Various Colors

As plastic bottles pass below the WORLD-BEAM Q12 Sensor, the fixed-field beam identifies bottles with caps—no matter what their color—and rejects bottles that are missing caps from the line. The Q12’s laser-like LED beam sharply cutoffs at 15 mm, 30 mm and 50 mm range, ensuring it won’t mistake objects inside the bottle for caps.

Labeling Detection

In an application with limited space, the WORLD-BEAM Q20 sensor is easily positioned to verify the presence of a label before it is applied to the product.

Injection Molding Inspection

The solution involves using an iVu Series sensor configured for a Match inspection. The sensor evaluates each plastic bottle and, if the bottle is not well formed, the sensor sends a fail output to the line where the plastic bottle is rejected.

Candy Color Inspection

A PresencePLUS P4 COLOR OMNI mounted about a conveyor inspects each box of 12 chocolates, making sure each paper nest contains the correct type of candy, based on color. It rejects boxes that have the wrong chocolate in a nest, are missing product or have damaged product.

Color Inspection of Pour Spouts

A PresencePLUS P4 COLOR OMNI vision sensor inspects pour spouts that have been inserted into detergent bottles. The sensors verify that the spout is present and inserted fully, and that spout color matches the bottle color. A special bracket positions the area light at an angle that maximizes contrast and color visibility.

Label Alignment Inspection

As each salad dressing bottle leaves the label station, an iVu Series vision sensor, configured to use the Match tool, inspects the label, comparing it to a preconfigured reference image to ensure that the label is present and has been correctly applied.

Inspecting for Missing Chocolates on a Packaging Line

Banner sensors are positioned above a conveyor inspecting each passing box for missing chocolates. When a passing box breaks the trigger beam created by a pair of Q12 opposed-mode sensors, an array of QS18AF sensors mounted above the box inspect each location for missing chocolates. When a box containing the wrong amount of chocolates is detected, an output signal is relayed to a main controller at the packaging line warning of the failed condition.

Inspecting Bottles for Cap Presence and Correct Color

To ensure that product quality standards are met and that product appearance is consistent with the brand, the company must inspect each bottle to ensure that the right bottle cap is present and properly seated.

Shrink Sleeve Labeling at High Speeds

A leading manufacturer of labeling equipment offers high-speed shrink sleeve label applicators designed to process 800 bottles per minute. To maximize the machine’s performance potential, the company wanted to install sensors capable of consistent detection and output for high-speed bottling.

Pallet Detection for Conveyance Equipment

A leading manufacturer of conveying equipment designs and builds high-quality, low-cost conveyance solutions. The pallet equipment they develop is expected to reliably convey, palletize and depalletize thousands of pallets and unit loads annually. This equipment must be able to sense a wide range of different pallet types and sizes to ensure the proper packing and unpacking of pallets and avoid line slow-downs, pallet crashes and collapses.

Wireless Forklift Signaling

Banner’s Q45 wireless call sensor communicates to a wireless DX80, signaling that forklift drivers can remove the completed pallet for shipping. This helps keep the conveyor clear, keep it moving faster and leads to more productivity. Since forklift drivers are being called to action more quickly, it allows for more productivity.

Exit Chute Jam Indication

Banner’s Q30FF600 background suppression sensor confirms when a product enters the exit chute to ensure it came off the sortation system and that there isn’t a jam in the product chute. The Q30FF600 has long range sensing up to 600 mm, which is the standard width of many chutes.

Sortation Auto Induction Station

S18-2 retroreflective sensors provide long-range, effective sensing along an auto-induct conveyor station. Polarized sensors can help with shiny surfaces by reducing false triggers. The S18-2 retroreflective sensors are cost-effective sensors with a barrel mount style, making them easy to install along a conveyor for verification purposes and are available in retroreflective, thur-beam, diffuse or fixed-field models.

Parcel Collision Avoidance

Banner’s DS18 sensor coupled with a zone control modules offers a cost-effective solution that gives an output and shows a change in state for optimal flow of products. This helps prevent box collisions and stops the zone so contents of packages are preserved.

Carton Profiling

Cartons moving on a conveyor pass between two LE550 laser sensors, measuring the width in order to sort cartons properly. The LE550 sensors are an economic solution for carton profiling. The analog output sends a signal to the PLC to deliver the carton to the correct storage location. Banner’s LE550 provides repeatability and accuracy while measuring the height, length and width of cartons. The laser sensors have an intuitive user interface, making it easy to adjust settings.

Detecting Different Size Packages on a Conveyor

Banner’s S18-2 barrel sensor is a cost-effective, reliable sensing method for this type of application. Its small size makes it easy to integrate along the manufacturing line, and its competitive price means it is well-suited for applications requiring multiple sensors. With a powerful and bright visible red emitter beam, the S18 sensors are easy to align during set up.

Carton Trigger For Date/Lot Code Printing

With a narrow beam that projects a small bright spot, the QS18LLP laser, polarized, retro-reflective sensors provide precise position control when triggering various devices. In this application, the QS18LLP is able to correctly detect the glossy carton as it travels down the conveyor—without proxing—and trigger the ink jet printer to print the date/lot code on the carton. The second sensor triggers the P4 OMNI to inspect the date/lot code and verify it is legible and correct.

Packaging Frozen Dinners on a Cartoner

WLS28 Work Light Strips: Bright, long-lasting LED light strips provide optimal visibility inside the cartoner for operator access and easily fit on the machine without obscuring access Safety Hinge Switches: Stainless steel, load-bearing safety hinge switches support the cartoner’s machine door and will shut down the machine if the doors are opened, and minimize the risk of intentional defeat

Sensing in Food Packaging and Conveying

The sensing characteristics of this application are simple, yet unique: the sensors are positioned directly above a white, highly reflective background and must detect darker, lower contrast objects of varying texture. The EZ-BEAM T18 fixed field sensor is an ideal solution. It has a sharp detection cutoff and is not sensitive to color variations – it will signal the presence of an object within a certain range and ignore the background.

Pallet Transfer Safeguarding

Due to the dangers associated with a full pallet transfer, horizontal area guarding is needed in order to maximize productivity of packaging while protecting operators from the hazardous motion of a machine.

Detecting Pallets with Irregular Loads

An ultrasonic sensor will provide reliable pallet detection. Ultrasonic sensors emit sound waves and “listen” for the return echo of the sound wave bouncing off the target. The sensor can be taught a reliable background, in this case the conveyor, and will listen for sound waves returning from the conveyor. Any object getting between the sensor and the conveyor will be detected, causing the output to switch.

Counting Food Cartons for Correct Packaging

Banner’s WORLD-BEAM QS18LP laser sensor accurately inspects every carton that passes on the conveyor, ensuring the robot is triggered to load cartons into the package. With a visible laser sensing beam, the QS18LP provides precise position control, which is ideal to ensure accurate counting of cartons at a close range. The rugged QS18LP is also ideal for confined spaces and is easily set up along a conveyor for accurate sensing. With highly bright LEDs, operating status is visible from 360⁰.

Emergency Indication on Conveyors

Banner’s RP-LS42 safety rope pulls line conveyors as a way to indicate emergencies and immediately shut down conveyors. If a rope pull is used during an emergency, it can be difficult to locate exactly where it was pulled. A K30 indicator light can be paired with the rope pulls in order to provide indication as to where the rope was pulled. This allows for quick and easy indication of where an emergency occurred, helping to return to normal operations as fast as possible.

Enunciation of Safety Conditions with Visual Indication

In order to maintain an efficient manufacturing line in the beverage industry, immediate notification of any safety issues is fundamental. Using visual and audible indication to identify safety concerns helps workers quickly find and fix the errors – returning the system to its normal operating state in a timely fashion.

All Packaging Solutions