Industrial Tomography for High-Speed Packaging Integrity Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods lack a systematic and effective way to check the integrity of vacuum-packed or modified-pressure-packaged industrial products, leading to undetected packaging faults in entire production batches.
Innovation Solution
An industrial tomography apparatus and method that uses x-ray tomography to create a virtual three-dimensional model of products, assessing internal features and shape to determine if packaging integrity is maintained, employing neural networks for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sampling checks are used to verify product integrity, then some defects can be detected, but the checking process is not feasible for high-speed production lines and cannot systematically check entire production batches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual sampling inspection with an automated X-ray tomography system that uses non-contact imaging to detect packaging integrity. The system captures multiple 2D X-ray images from different angles and reconstructs them into 3D models, enabling automatic defect detection without mechanical contact or disruption to the high-speed production line.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual 3D copies of the physical products through X-ray tomography reconstruction. These digital models allow for comprehensive analysis of packaging integrity, including detection of leaks, deformations, and foreign objects, without requiring physical handling or stopping the production line.
2Productivity
If no integrity checking system is implemented, then production productivity is maintained, but packaging faults remain undetected and defective batches are shipped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous inspection system that operates throughout the entire production process. The X-ray tomography apparatus scans products continuously as they move along the conveyor belt, providing uninterrupted monitoring of packaging integrity from production to shipping without stopping the line.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback by analyzing 3D reconstructed images in real-time and automatically identifying defects. The feedback mechanism enables prompt detection of packaging faults and allows for immediate corrective action, ensuring that only intact products are shipped while maintaining production continuity.
3Device complexity
If traditional inspection methods are used, then the system is simple, but they cannot effectively detect internal packaging defects or verify vacuum integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D surface inspection to 3D volumetric analysis using X-ray tomography. By reconstructing multiple 2D X-ray projections into a complete 3D model, the system enables detection of internal defects, vacuum integrity, and packaging deformations that are invisible from external views alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the inspection process into distinct analytical steps: capturing multiple 2D X-ray images from different angles, reconstructing them into a 3D model, and then analyzing specific features such as packaging integrity, vacuum levels, and foreign objects. This segmented approach makes the complex inspection process systematic and manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables systematic checking of entire production batches for packaging integrity, allowing prompt detection of faults and reducing defective batches.
Implementation Method 1
a tomography scan device (7), for performing tomography scans of what is located in the scanning zone (4), in particular of the industrial products (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
An industrial tomography apparatus (1) comprising a tomography scan device (7) configured to perform tomography scans of the products (2) placed in the scanning zone (4) and an electronic processing unit programmed to generate a virtual three-dimensional tomography model (8) of a product (2) scanned by the tomography scan device (7), and to perform a procedure for inspecting industrial products (2) of known type, each comprising a packet (10) or a container (11). During the inspection procedure the electronic processing unit inspects the virtual three-dimensional tomography model (8) to assess internal features of the product (2) and/or the shape of the product (2) at predetermined zones and determines whether or not those internal features and/or respectively that shape, correspond to a product with intact packet (10) or container (11). The apparatus implements a corresponding method for checking the integrity of packets or containers of industrial products (2) which have known features.