In-Sight 3900 Series
In-Sight 3900 is a high-speed AI machine vision system built for high-throughput production lines, with powerful computing and embedded AI for processing high-resolution images and advanced inspections.
Smarter text verification for flexible packaging
Flexible packaging has become commonplace, with pouches and polybags filling trucks next to more rigid tubes and boxes. But flexible packaging can make it harder for automated systems to capture tracking details like lot numbers and expiration dates.
Misprinted or misread information can lead to supply chain problems, delay deliveries, and cause products to miss their sell-by dates, resulting in costly waste. As regulatory requirements for full product traceability become stricter, accurate text verification is more essential than ever.
AI-powered OCR technology reads distorted, skewed, and low-contrast text on variably-shaped, flexible, and reflective surfaces. By adapting to variations in size, shape, and orientation, it ensures accurate labeling, reduces waste, safeguards compliance, and keeps products moving smoothly through production and distribution – delivering them to customers on time.
Meeting the challenges of text verification with advanced OCR
Reading alphanumeric codes on flexible packaging presents challenges for both traditional OCR and manual reading. Misreads can slow production lines, create errors, and disrupt shipping and inventory processes. Even when codes are printed correctly, flexible materials can shift, causing lighting changes and character distortion.
In addition, packaging changes for promotions, branding updates, or seasonal items can complicate the reading process – conventional OCR solutions need to be reprogrammed for each variation. On fast-moving production lines, there’s little room for time-consuming reprogramming or manual checks.
Common challenges that lower OCR accuracy include:
- Skewed, stretched, or distorted text
- Glossy or wrinkled packaging surfaces
- Low-contrast or reflective printing
- Frequent changes in package size, shape, and design
- High-mix SKUs requiring continuous recalibration
Cognex AI-based OCR is the next-generation solution for accurate character recognition, delivering reliable results even in the most challenging conditions. Industries benefiting from this technology include:
- Consumer packaged goods (CPG): Accurately read date and lot codes, product IDs, and traceability information on flexible packaging with complex designs. Handle varying sizes, colors, and orientations to prevent errors, waste, and recalls.
- Pharmaceutical & medical devices: Reliably read variable codes on reflective, flexible surfaces like IV bags, syringes, and vials. Verify lot numbers, expiration dates, and other critical details for inventory accuracy, traceability, and regulatory compliance.
- Food & beverage: Ensure traceability and proper rotation by verifying text on frozen, powdered, or liquid product packaging. Handle skewed printing, material shifts, and reflective or highly designed surfaces, even on customized, full-surface packaging.
- Personal care & cosmetics: Inspect small embossed or inkjet-printed codes on challenging curved, reflective surfaces, like squeeze tube seals, jars, and aerosol can bottoms, ensuring accurate date and lot tracking while improving line speed and equipment effectiveness.
Cognex solutions read skewed text on food packaging.
Read small, embossed codes on challenging surfaces like squeeze tube seals.
Cognex AI-powered text verification for every packaging type
Cognex vision systems combine advanced imaging, AI-powered OCR, and smart lighting to deliver accurate, high-speed text recognition – handling varying angles, reflective surfaces, and fast-moving production lines with ease.
With minimal setup and pretrained AI models, new products and packaging variations can be implemented quickly. Adaptive vision tools further improve accuracy by detecting and rejecting misprinted or unreadable codes, keeping operations efficient and compliant.
Cognex provides manufacturers with the speed, accuracy, and flexibility needed to keep production moving:
- Easily adapt to new codes or packaging types
- Perform robust code reading under challenging conditions
- Ensure compliance with retail labeling requirements
With Cognex global support and on-demand resources, manufacturers can focus on moving inventory, while every package – regardless of shape, size, or design – is accurately checked for quality, compliance, and traceability.
Cognex also has an extensive network of trusted integrators who can collaborate to develop custom solutions for high-mix SKU environments, including those with diverse fonts and graphics.