Standard Objects for Inspection Machine Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inspection machines for pharmaceutical containers provide probabilistic and general verification results, making it difficult to determine the source of errors and the accuracy of defect detection, and are prone to inconsistencies due to mechanical sensitivity and unreliability of test objects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of standard objects designed to test specific sub-components and parameters of inspection machines using dedicated algorithms, providing reproducible and deterministic test results that identify the origin and margin of faults, allowing for detailed error measurements and trend monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard objects with known defects are used for verification, then the inspection machine can be tested for defect detection capability, but the verification results are only probabilistic and general, making it difficult to determine the specific source of errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the verification process by dividing standard objects into different types, each designed to test specific inspection stations or parameters. This segmentation allows identification of which specific inspection station or parameter is causing verification failures, transforming general verification results into specific diagnostic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating standard objects with specific characteristics tailored to test particular inspection stations or parameters. Each standard object type has localized qualities (specific defect types, positions, or characteristics) that correspond to specific inspection functions, enabling precise error source identification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical components and optics are used in inspection stations, then the machine can perform complex inspection functions, but the system becomes sensitive to disturbances and mechanical errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using standard objects to verify inspection machine functionality before actual production inspection. This preliminary verification detects and allows correction of mechanical errors, optical misalignments, or component failures before they affect production quality, ensuring system stability while maintaining complex inspection capabilities.
3Quantity of substance
If real rejected containers are used as test objects, then they completely resemble real products, but they are not reproducible and may gain additional defects over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating standard objects that replicate the essential characteristics of real defective containers without using actual production rejects. These copied standard objects can be reproduced identically across different verification sessions, ensuring test object consistency and reproducibility while maintaining realism in defect characteristics.
4Measurement precision
If complex verification procedures are implemented to improve accuracy, then error detection capability increases, but the verification process becomes more time-consuming and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a tiered verification approach where different types of standard objects test different aspects of inspection functionality. This allows focused verification of specific inspection stations or parameters rather than exhaustive testing of all functions, reducing verification time while maintaining adequate error detection accuracy for critical functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an inspection machine for inspecting containers such as vials, said inspection machine comprising a number of inspection stations for inspecting containers by container analysis routines and a system test arrangement in connection with the one or more inspection stations, the system test arrangement comprising a number of standard objects, where the inspection stations performs standard object analysis routines, which are different form the container analysis routines, to establish standard object-dependent inspection results. The present invention further relates to a method for testing the performance level of an inspection machine by performing standard object analysis routines on standard objects, a system test arrangement for use in connection with an inspection machine and comprising standard objects targeting specific sub-components of the inspection machine, and a set of standard objects of that kind.