AT WINE & GRAPE SYMPOSIUM, ANTARES VISION GROUP TO PRESENT ADVANCED INSPECTION AND PROCESS MONITORING SOLUTIONS FOR WINE PRODUCTIO
Company’s wide array of inspection and process control systems address critical stages of quality control
Antares Vision Group, a leader in advanced technological solutions for quality control and traceability, will showcase its latest quality control innovations at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, January 29-30 in Sacramento (Stand Level 1, Exhibit Halls A-D-1233). The company’s systems focus on the critical stages of bottling and sealing, where precision is key to preserving the integrity of wine and ensuring that production methods remain within specifications. Among the most advanced solutions on display is the PCS Wine system, an innovative technology developed through the expertise in Food & Beverage sectors of FT System, part of Antares Vision Group. The system monitors oxygen levels in the headspace of sealed wine bottles, where oxygen can gradually dissolve into wine, potentially altering its organoleptic properties and shortening its shelf life. Utilizing laser spectroscopy, PCS Wine enables real-time, in-line monitoring, analyzing the entire production line to ensure each bottle is properly sealed and the inerting process has been correctly executed.
Non-invasive and non-destructive, the PCS Wine system ensures each bottle is treated with utmost care, preserving the wine’s quality. The same technology also can be used to measure CO2 or pressure, toward the goal of monitoring the fermentation process in wine produced using the “Classic method” (PCS Classic Method Wine), as well as for verifying there are no leaks from the cap. In addition to the in-line system, a laboratory version is available, allowing wineries to track oxygen levels over time in individual bottles, and perform post-sealing sample checks.
Moreover, Antares Vision Group will present another solution, the IE4000 PLUS, with new features: for example a highly compact advanced vision system designed for 360° label inspection on non-oriented cylindrical containers. The solution seamlessly handles all label types, including front/back, wraparound, sleeve and collar. Equipped with four cameras and AI-powered software, the IE4000 PLUS reconstructs a 3D model of the bottle, unfolds label images, and corrects distortions to ensure precise inspection. It detects defects in presence, positioning, and label integrity, supports OCR code reading, and offers an “emboss detection” option to verify alignment with embosses. The system also monitors labeler and capper performance, minimizing waste by alerting operators to production specification drifts. Experts from Antares Vision Group also will be on hand to showcase a novel thread inspection system that detects cracks, chips, and flaws in the bottle’s thread area. Using eight vision cameras, it focuses on this critical area to detect even the most subtle defects, guaranteeing thread integrity and compliance. Complementing these innovations are Antares Vision Group’s array of additional quality control solutions, such as those providing cap-level inspection, empty bottle and can inspection, and final case weight control.
“At Antares Vision Group, we understand the importance of precision at every stage of production, especially during bottling and sealing, where the smallest detail can impact the final product – said Richard Reardon, President of FT System North America, part of Antares Vision Group. Our solutions, like PCS Wine and the IE4000 PLUS, are designed to protect the quality of the product, ensure proper closure, and monitor every critical parameter to maintain the highest standards. Our technology can help wineries optimize their production processes and safeguard the quality of their products.