Inline leak detection for the food industry

Antares Vision Group, leader in inline leak detection for the food industry

The In-line leak detection is a key solution in the food industry to ensure package integrity and product safety. Antares Vision Group, a global leader in inspection and traceability, has developed the LDS system, which performs in-line leak detection on 100% of production without slowing production or damaging the product or packaging.

Why in-line leak detection is crucial in the food industry

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (ATM/MAP) is the standard for preserving freshness and quality. However, even a micro-leakage can alter shelf life, cause contamination and put consumer safety at risk. An in-line leak detection system allows you to:

• Perform in-line leakage control on each package in real time.
• Identifying defects invisible to the human eye.
• Early intervention in the production process to reduce waste and costs.

The main challenges in food packaging inspection

Companies in the sector face major challenges:

• Ensure non-destructive control over all production.
• Detect micro-holes in the welds and general non-tightness of the package.
• Integrate leak detection systems into operational lines without slowing production.

An advanced in-line leakage control system solves these critical issues, combining reliability and productivity.

Antares Vision Group’s LDS solution

The LDS CO2 is a non-destructive in-line inspection system that uses laser spectroscopy to detect CO2 micro-leaks in 100% of modified atmosphere (MAP) food packages, ensuring food safety without slowing down production.

Main features:

• Non-destructive in-line leak detection on 100% of production.
• Immediate identification of micro-leaks on all surfaces of the package.
• In-line leakage control with automatic ejection of non-conforming products.
• Data collection and analysis to highlight recurring defects and optimise the welding process.
• Provision for remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Key Technology

The inspection system uses IR spectroscopy to detect holes or micro-holes in the packaging and/or seal, and to detect CO2 leaking from the package, without changing the line speed or the internal composition of the modified atmosphere.

How does it work?

• A calibrated pressure is applied to the packaged thanks to the guided pendulum movement of the ROLLERS, which softly stress the package during passage, favouring the escape of gas in case of micro-leaks.
• 8 sniffing points, continuously active throughout the packaging’s passage, detect the gas, which is then conveyed via tubes to the inspection modules.
• The analysis module uses NIR SPECTROSCOPY to detect small amounts of CO2 resulting from micro-holes in the packaging.
• In case of CO2 detection, the leaking product is rejected.
• The protective chamber guarantees immunity to environmental CO2.

Application

• Meat, fresh and filled pasta, vegetables, fruit, fish, dairy products, nuts and seeds
• Baked goods, savoury snacks, sweets, and ready meals

Benefits of in-line leakage control

• Food safety: each product arrives intact to the consumer, with the guarantee of a correct shelf life.
• Waste reduction: preventive identification of criticalities to avoid the production of defective and discarded units.
• Sustainability: reducing waste of product, packaging and energy.
• Production efficiency: high-precision automatic inspection reduces false positives and eliminates slow, costly and destructive manual inspections.
• Competitiveness: high-quality standards that reduce market complaints and strengthen brand confidence.

Watch how LDS 700 works

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