Ice Cream Lid Inserts

This machine was designed and built to inspect the covers of ice-cream containers as they drop into a stacking machine. The system utilizes a Cognex Insight 1000 camera system, an Allen Bradley PLC, and an EZ-220 operator interface.

The system can be easily “taught” the features of a container lid. Once it has these features recorded, it will inspect every lid that falls through the chute. Lids that match the taught sample will continue to fall and will enter the stacking machine. If a lid that falls through the chute does not match the taught sample, a pneumatic stopper will extend into the chute and prevent lids to pass though. The operator can then identify the incorrect lid and remove it. Once the bad lid is removed, the system can be reset and re-started.