Artificial intelligence-based vision system for date code verification

The system removes the operator from the date code verification process, achieving full automation to reduce risk of product recalls and emergency product withdrawals (EPWs). Reaching speeds of over 300 packs a minute, April Eye can make a significant improvement to processes, safety, quality and efficiency. It delivers cost savings to food and beverage manufacturers on their packaging lines.

April Eye stems from an initiative led by a large retailer to limit food waste

By combining machine learning and artificial intelligence, April Eye transforms traditional date code verification processes, which relies on operators to check the date code is printed correctly. The system removes human error inherent in these boring, repetitive tasks. By taking photos of each date code, the system reads them back using scanners to ensure they match programmed date codes for a specific product run. This fully automates the verification process and allows food and beverage manufacturers to achieve unmanned operations and full traceability. Running at speeds of over 300 packs a minute, it also allows increased throughput without compromising product safety. The production line comes to a complete stop if a date code doesn’t match. This ensures no incorrect labels can be released into the supply chain, protecting consumers, margins and brands.

Traditional vision systems have relied on optical character recognition (OCR), designed to read specific characters. Due to the prevalence of inkjet printers in the food industry, which have more variability, these vision systems have not been widely implemented. OAL developed April Eye, which uses basic cameras backed up with an artificial brain to deliver a vision system that can deal with variations such as lighting, positioning, print quality and placement inherent in a food or beverage plant and read anything legible to the naked eye. The technology eliminates errors, offers full traceability and protects consumers and a brand while reducing labour costs and waste. The system improves overtime, further safeguarding manufacturers.

April Eye stemmed from an initiative led by a large retailer to eliminate food waste in the supply chain by preventing human error. Incorrect date codes and packaging are one of the largest sources of food waste.

OAL spearheaded the development as part of its Food Manufacturing Digitalisation Strategy, supported by the University of Lincoln and Innovate UK grant funding - designed to investigate how artificial intelligence could revolutionise this key area of the food manufacturing process. The University of Lincoln put together a team of global experts in AI, including Professor Stefanos Kollias, founding professor of machine learning to develop the solution. The system was first deployed with two leading global manufacturers and has since been

rolled out across existing OAL Connected customers, with no EPWs related to date code errors to date. Wayne Johnson, OAL connected director, comments, ‘Having experienced the pain of EPWs and product recalls first-hand, I was determined to develop a product that would offer food and beverage manufacturers a bulletproof solution to avoid problems linked to label and date code verification. We’ve completely turned vision systems on their heads, allowing manufacturers to move to unmanned production, improve traceability and reduce costs across the board. April Eye gives them the security they need to do this as it really is a fail-safe solution.’

With two industry award wins in the bag, it’s clear the industry understands the importance of the April Eye patent-pending technology. Despite the complexity of artificial intelligence, food manufacturers will be amazed by how simple the technology is to use, while achieving far-reaching results, including more robust and reliable supply chains to reduce food waste and improve food quality. A hand scanner solution and in-line scanning are already available, with a standalone audit solution coming later in the year.’ •

ABOUT OAL

The company assists food manufacturers to become automated and future-proofed. It is currently involved in multiple R&D projects valued at UK£4.5 million.

April Robotics: Robots are the future. April’s Robotics team are committed to dramatically improving productivity, food safety and traceability through the application of technology in food processing. It uses proven robotic equipment to provide next generation food manufacturing preparation and processing systems.

OAL Connected: Delivers marketleading label and date code verification systems. Currently installed on over 1 200 packing lines, these systems ensure full compliance with retailers’ codes of practice. Once protected, food manufacturers achieve fast payback using the OAL Connected modules to add OEE productivity measurement, connectivity to line equipment, QA checking, traceability and paperless recording.

OAL Group - https://connected.oalgroup.com/