Vision Inspection Rewinding Machine

Fabrit designed and built an automatic rewinding machine with an integrated machine vision quality inspection system. The machine combines controlled material transport, bidirectional rewinding and automatic inspection of printed material.

The solution replaced a manual inspection process with a repeatable machine vision system operating directly during rewinding.

Challenge

Quality inspection of the printed material had previously been performed manually. The operator visually assessed print quality and material condition, which limited process throughput, required continuous operator involvement and increased the risk of defects being overlooked.

The customer required a solution that would automate the rewinding process while providing objective and repeatable quality inspection.

Implemented solution

• Two driven reels allowing the material to be rewound in both directions.
• Integrated machine vision system inspecting the material during rewinding.
• Automatic detection of print defects, damage and other non-conformities.
• Pneumatic expanding shafts for fast reel replacement.
• Support for two different reel core diameters.
• Controlled material guidance and rewinding speed.

Results

Automation increased inspection throughput and improved the repeatability of quality control. The machine vision system reduced the risk of defects being missed during manual inspection and provided objective evaluation of the material during the rewinding process.

Pneumatic expanding shafts shortened reel changeover time and increased the flexibility of the machine when handling different roll formats.

FABRIT scope

• machine concept development,
• mechanical design of the rewinding system,
• drive system integration,
• machine vision system integration,
• pneumatic expanding shaft integration,
• commissioning and process optimisation.