Detection of Labels on Bottles

STM Sensor Technologie München GmbH: The reliable application of labels is a typical task in factory automation - from classical bottle filling in beverage industry to the “packing” of liquid in different varieties of handling applications up to the dispensing of reagents in vials and containers. The correct identification and allocation of the contents is only provided by the bottle’s attached label.

The optical surveillance in distinguishing the appropriate attached label is, even in very fast processes, relatively easy as long as there are significant differences in color and texture between the sticker and the subsurface.

If these differences tend to become marginal, like for instance, in combinations of colorless glass or PET bottles with very transparent liquids (e.g. clear water with a translucent label), even sophisticated systems - including cameras - easily reach their limits.

This is not the case with the reflective sensor RLV3012VR from STM. Within an operating range from 28 to 44mm it can reliably detect even very difficult container/label constellations. With its extremely small size of 30mm x 12mm x 7mm it can easily be integrated in existing equipment. The glass protected optics makes it mechanically robust and insensitive to spray. The separate amplifier electronics can be mounted in well accessible installation spaces and allows easy and convenient adjustment of the sensor. Its cost is only a fraction of the expense when compared for a camera system.