TPT September 2019

AR T I C L E

Sikora AG

In addition to the possibility of analysis for determining root causes and process control in classical laboratory, the system is suitable for incoming-goods inspection due to its quick automatic analysis within seconds as well as for outgoing goods in order to compare the quality with the customer requirements. Conclusion Quality requirements in the production and processing of plastics are continuously increasing, while the complexity of the production processes is rising simultaneously. In addition to permanent online monitoring of the production process by inspection and sorting systems, periodic offline sample testing of the plastic material is required in order to ensure consistent quality from the raw material to the final product. Up to now, manual light tables as well as automated visual inspection devices, with no allocation of the contamination and no follow-up inspection for quality assurance, have been used as standard in the plastics industry. An innovative optical technology combines the advantages of manual visual inspection with automated material sample control. The automatic light table system automatically detects and visualises contamination from 50 µm (2 mil) and evaluates them statistically. The contamination is clearly allocated and follow-up inspection is possible at any time. The system is more precise, faster, more reproducible and more reliable than the human eye at a light table. Therefore, it largely contributes to quality control and efficient process optimisation.

About the company Sikora AG was founded in 1973 and is today a global manufacturer and supplier of measuring, control, inspection, analysis and sorting technology for the wire and cable, hose and tube, sheets as well as optical fibre, metals and plastics industries. With around 300 employees worldwide, 14 offices and more than 30 regional representatives all over the world, the company provides customers with innovative product solutions and individual service. The systems are exclusively made at the headquarters in Bremen, Germany. Innovation, product quality and customer satisfaction define the daily activities at Sikora. References 1 Dr Frank, C, Röntgen- und Kameratechnik kombinieren. Inspektion, Sortierung und Analyse von Kunststoffpellets, Plastverarbeiter, issue 10/2017, p. 116-120 2 Regel, K, Den Fehler vor dem Fehler finden, K-Profi, issue 1-2/2019, p. 6-7

Sikora AG – Germany Tel: +49 421 48900 0 Fax: +49 421 48900 90 Email: sales@sikora.net Website: www.sikora.net

Figure 6: Automated light table system for offline inspection and analysis of plastic material

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SEPTEMBER 2019