DIR Technologies to showcase package seal integrity inspection technology using thermal imaging

Hartwig’s presentation, which will be delivered at 08:00 on November 5, will discuss the new inspection system’s use of thermal imaging, an infrared science allowing packages to be thoroughly examined without physical contact or visible illumination. 

Thermal imaging offers real-time testing of 100 percent of the products on a line, real-time process monitoring, full records (including photos) for every product and very high throughput with no production slowdown. Until very recently, high sensitivity thermal imaging had been mostly used in defence and aerospace application, with the emergence of a new generation of lower cost/lower sensitivity uncooled detectors leading to increased use of thermal imaging in a wider range of applications, such as security, industrial monitoring, automotive, commercial aviation and sports.

DIR Technologies, a provider of premium packaging inspection and product authentication systems for the pharmaceutical industry, said thermal Imaging has the potential to bring a ‘paradigm change’ to in-line quality control by replacing sporadic, destructive package sampling with continuous, non-invasive process verification. 

One of DIR Technologies’ first machines employing thermal imaging is the I2VS, which tests in-line the integrity of aluminum foil seals on induction-sealed bottles. The I2VS is the first system capable of inspecting 100 percent of bottles undergoing induction sealing, without resulting in production slowdown and providing continuous process verification.