Challenges in Identifying Best Before Dates
Short Cycle Times
Challenge: Short cycle times require fast OCR workflows, as automated processes such as sorting, quality control of products or reading out data (e.g. best before date, batch number) need to be captured in real time. Slow detection processes would slow down the entire line and could cause downtime or errors.
Solution: The B60 smart camera with its integrated Deep OCR algorithm provides fast and precise text recognition, even with difficult fonts, varying print qualities or unfavorable lighting conditions.
Solution: The B60 smart camera with its integrated Deep OCR algorithm provides fast and precise text recognition, even with difficult fonts, varying print qualities or unfavorable lighting conditions.
Reflective or Transparent Films
Challenge: Glossy surfaces create reflections that can make the date on foil packaging illegible. Wrinkles or deformation of the flexible film will also lead to distorted characters.
Solution: The combination of machine vision cameras and machine vision controller or the B60 smart camera in combination with illumination technology enables precise reading of dates on reflective surfaces. Interfering light reflections are reliably suppressed by the use of diffuse illumination and optional polarization filters. At the same time, the camera’s Deep OCR module integrated in the uniVision 3 software can detect distorted or partially concealed characters itself. This allows relevant information, such as the expiry date, to be read reliably from reflective or corrugated films, even under difficult conditions.
Solution: The combination of machine vision cameras and machine vision controller or the B60 smart camera in combination with illumination technology enables precise reading of dates on reflective surfaces. Interfering light reflections are reliably suppressed by the use of diffuse illumination and optional polarization filters. At the same time, the camera’s Deep OCR module integrated in the uniVision 3 software can detect distorted or partially concealed characters itself. This allows relevant information, such as the expiry date, to be read reliably from reflective or corrugated films, even under difficult conditions.
Changing Contrasts or Background Colors
Challenge: Reading best before dates on yogurt cups is a challenge for traditional image processing systems, as the font on a curved background is often distorted and varies in size and contrast.
Solution: The B60 smart camera is suitable for reading the best before date on yogurt cups. Thanks to integrated Deep OCR algorithms in the uniVision 3 image processing software, even hard-to-read characters can be reliably recognized, regardless of the font position or substrate. In combination with illumination technology and individually adjustable exposure, weak contrasts are compensated for.
Solution: The B60 smart camera is suitable for reading the best before date on yogurt cups. Thanks to integrated Deep OCR algorithms in the uniVision 3 image processing software, even hard-to-read characters can be reliably recognized, regardless of the font position or substrate. In combination with illumination technology and individually adjustable exposure, weak contrasts are compensated for.
Textured Surfaces
Challenge: Textured surfaces, like those found on wood parquet, can make batch numbers difficult to read. Wood grains, in particular, can interfere with reading. The date indicates when the parquet should ideally be used by to ensure high quality and longevity of the floor.
Solution: The B60 smart camera offers reliable detection even on irregular, natural surfaces. Thanks to powerful Deep OCR algorithms and customizable modules in the uniVision 3 image processing software, even low-contrast characters can be read reliably. In combination with IR light, the wood grain is concealed, as IR light reduces deeper structures and minimizes visual disturbances on the surface.
Solution: The B60 smart camera offers reliable detection even on irregular, natural surfaces. Thanks to powerful Deep OCR algorithms and customizable modules in the uniVision 3 image processing software, even low-contrast characters can be read reliably. In combination with IR light, the wood grain is concealed, as IR light reduces deeper structures and minimizes visual disturbances on the surface.
wenglor Software for BBD Detection
Deep OCR technology is specially designed for precise text recognition in image processing and uses advanced deep learning algorithms based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). These recognize hierarchically structured features such as fonts, character shapes and text structures, even with varying sizes or damaged text sections. This enables reliable text extraction directly on the uniVision 3 software, without any complex configurations or external components. The detected text can be directly transferred to the desired output format. The model confidence analysis also provides an assessment of detection reliability. An optional heatmap visualizes which image areas the model has particularly taken into account when recognizing text.
The OCR and Deep OCR modules offer powerful features for precise text recognition. Modern deep learning technology integrates seamlessly into the workflow and enables reliable recognition of plain text – regardless of font, size or damage. Flexible configuration options allow text recognition to be optimally adapted to a wide range of industrial applications.
OCR in Combination with Code Reading
The uniVision software enables simple or complex tasks to be solved by freely selecting the software modules. For example, the detection of a best before date and the reading of a barcode as well as the verification of the label position can be freely combined in an application. The hardware and the uniVision 3 software create the ideal conditions for efficient use of deep learning technology.
Hardware Solutions for Reliable OCR Results
Machine Vision System (Machine Vision Controller and Machine Vision Camera)
Easy integration into existing production lines by connecting up to 16 cameras simultaneously
Four different resolutions for flexible adaptation to different tasks
Free choice of lens for optimal visual field adjustment
Maximum flexibility thanks to a wide range of interfaces such as TCP/IP, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT
Smart Camera
Compact smart camera with integrated image capture for precise text recognition
Built-in lighting module for optimal illumination directly at the detection point
High degree of integration thanks to numerous industrial interfaces such as TCP/IP, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT
Stand-alone solution without additional controller
Illumination Technology
Specially developed illumination solutions enable reliable text recognition even in challenging conditions. Marking techniques such as dot peen, embossing, laser printing or inkjet printing are taken into account here, as well as object color, material properties and surface structure. This ensures optimal contrasts, minimizes reflections and creates ideal conditions for stable OCR results.
Advantages of the wenglor Solution
High-Precision OCR Text Recognition
Reliable recording of best before dates, serial numbers and barcodes.
Precise Label and Position Detection
Checking for correct label application.
Automated Processes
Reduce waste and save time with fast and accurate data collection.
Error Detection and Correction
Identification of misaligned or faulty labels.
Applications of OCR Text Recognition
Presence Check for the Best Before Date on Food Packaging
Challenge:
In the food and packaging industry, the best before date labels on food must be reliably verified. If a product appears in retail outlets without a best before date, the entire batch is often returned to the manufacturer, which results in high costs.
Solutions:
In the food and packaging industry, the best before date labels on food must be reliably verified. If a product appears in retail outlets without a best before date, the entire batch is often returned to the manufacturer, which results in high costs.
Solutions:
Illumination of Plastic Caps for Checking Best Before Dates on PET Bottles
Challenge:
In the food and beverage industry, the presence of best before dates on PET bottles must be reliably verified. Batches without this information are rejected, which is extremely costly.
Solution:
Check of Best Before Date on Food Packaging
Challenge:
In the food and packaging industry, the best before date labels on food must be reliably read. If an incorrect date is detected, production must be interrupted and the affected goods must be repacked.
Solution:
In the food and packaging industry, the best before date labels on food must be reliably read. If an incorrect date is detected, production must be interrupted and the affected goods must be repacked.
Solution:
Code and BBD Reading on Cans
Challenge:
Reading handwritten or machine-written batch numbers, expiration dates and delivery documents is challenging due to different fonts or unclear printing. This can lead to reading errors and delays in incoming goods processing, making it difficult to ensure complete quality control.
Solution:
Reading handwritten or machine-written batch numbers, expiration dates and delivery documents is challenging due to different fonts or unclear printing. This can lead to reading errors and delays in incoming goods processing, making it difficult to ensure complete quality control.
Solution:
Control of Expiration Dates on Drug Packaging
Challenge:
Pharmaceutical companies receive large quantities of medicines from different manufacturers and suppliers every day. Each individual package is marked with a best before date and a batch number, which must be carefully checked. Expired or soon-to-expire products must not be placed in storage under any circumstances to ensure the quality of the medicines.
Solution:
Pharmaceutical companies receive large quantities of medicines from different manufacturers and suppliers every day. Each individual package is marked with a best before date and a batch number, which must be carefully checked. Expired or soon-to-expire products must not be placed in storage under any circumstances to ensure the quality of the medicines.
Solution:
Detection of Incorrectly Printed or Missing Expiration Dates
Challenge: Misprinted or missing expiration dates on packages complicate quality assurance and pose a risk to product safety and traceability.
Solution:
Solution:
Prevention of Shipping of Expired Products
Challenge: In the picking process, there is a risk of expired products being delivered to customers without automated checking of the best before dates. Manual inspections are prone to errors and often not possible for all cases, especially with high throughput or high inventory levels. Reliable, automated BBD checking is therefore crucial to ensure product safety.
Solution:
Solution:
Checking of Expiration Dates on Incoming Goods Labels for Automatic Storage According to First-Expire-First-Out
Challenge: Checking the best before dates on milk packaging at incoming goods is crucial to ensure correct storage of products according to the first-expire-first-out (FEFO) principle. Incomplete or incorrect BBD detection can lead to milk being processed or outsourced too late when it is nearing its expiry date, resulting in spoilage, product loss and increased costs.
Solution:
Solution:
Overview of Solutions
Machine Vision
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B50 vision sensors
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Products
B60 smart camera
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Machine vision system
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Products
uniVision 3 software
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Products
Illumination technology
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Product link
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Product Flyer to download
B60 Smart Camera Product Flyer
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wenglor Machine Vision Product Flyer
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wenglor offers all components of a vision system for innovative solutions for image processing applications. This document provides an overview.
Illumination Technology Product Flyer
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